WHile we are waiting for AMD to officially announce the sales of this processor, we already got one in our hands. Here is a short video of us unboxing it. Stay tuned to our review at OCWORKBENCH in the coming month of July 2011.

Integrated graphics board has always been ignored as a low end platform. With the introduction of the APU, this is going to change the mindset of many.

The upcoming AMD A8 and A6 processors paired with the new A75 series boards blow away the competitor with impressive DX11 graphics performance.

With a typical AMD LIano A8-3850 processor running at 2.4GHz, DDR3-1866 (2x2G), it is able to achieve a 3DMark Vantage score of P5600+. If the APU is overclocked, 3DMark Vantage score can scale up to 5650 marks.

With a HD 6670 GPU added on board, AMD Radeon DUal Graphics kicks in and can boost the performance up to 10000 marks giving it a 1.5x improvement over the standard APU.

Stay tuned for more information.

The GA-A75-UD4H is the AMD A75 chipset mainboard. It supports the AMD APU using the Socket FM1 for 32nm AMD A series processors.

With the integrated graphics of Radeon class HD65xx/64xx (DX11), the APU is capable to deliver better quality 3D graphics than before.

Although it has integrated graphics, it also support AMD Dual Graphics technology with the 2 PCIe 2.0 interface on board.

For graphics, the board supports output port DisplayPort, HDMI, Dual link DVI of up to 2560×1600 FULL HD playback. The board also supports 3x USB power On/Off charge USB ports, 8 USB 3.0, 6 SATA3 (6Gbps) ports. Other features include Dual BIOS, 3TB+ HDD boot up, 108db S/N audio playback, auto green etc.

AMD Desktop APUs A6 and A8 series specs have been leaked on the net prior to Computex. Boards were also on display at Computex Taipei 2011. To date, there seems to be a lack of processors to satisfy the market.

To our surprise, our HK correspondent told us that he came across the retail box of the processors on a Hong Kong site. Apparently, the boxes are at one of the retail shops. It means stocks are ready for sale awaiting for an early July launch. Pricing is not provided.

AMD APU A6-3650 and A8-3850  The speeds are rated at 2.6GHZ (A6-3650) and 2.9GHZ (A8-3850).

Source

RBS analyst Didier Scemama this morning writes that ARM Holdings (ARMH) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) appear to be strengthening their relationship, given that both companies gave talks about AMD’s “Fusion” chip architecture at the recent “Fusion11″ conference, discussing the ability for other chip makers to combine AMD’s CPU designs with ARM CPU designs and “graphics processing unit,” or GPU, designs.

The mixing and matching of CPUs and GPUs has broad implications, Scemama writes:

The chaining of CPU’s and GPU’s together from different vendors opens up the world of heterogeneous computing. Heterogeneous computing allows computers and servers to run software tasks across different types of CPUs and GPUs. Effectively the software is indifferent to the underlying hardware (i.e. could be x86-based or ARM-based).

AMD’s contribution, notes Scemama, is a proposal for a “virtual CPU bus” to link all those cores together when using the x86 instruction set.

All that’s very theoretical, Scemama points out. What’s more interesting is that AMD is perhaps looking to combine its GPU with ARM’s CPU cores, the way Nvidia (NVDA) has done. And the thinks that suggests some new license business for ARM with AMD:

Given the 10-20% market share of AMD in PCs (more skewed towards desktop PCs and servers than notebooks) and the momentum ARM has got in PCs, post the Windows on ARM announcement by Microsoft, we believe it would make sense for AMD to contemplate licensing ARM IP to combine it with its own GPU and CPU IP. Given ARM’s strength in low power and AMD’s relative weakness in tablets, netbooks and notebooks, it seems reasonable to us that AMD would benefit from licensing ARM IP to grow their market share in these segments of the market. Similarly ARM would benefit from a closer collaboration with AMD to penetrate the server market given AMD’s relative strength in high performance PC systems, in our view. While the ARM/AMD relationship is still in the early phase we think this open architecture initiative is positive for ARM and potentially Imagination Technologies Group

Source

AMD APU A8, A6, A4 series processor details; A6-3500 (3 core) might have hidden core disabled and can be turned into A6-3600

It’s confirmed that there will be 7 different models of APUs that will be released in early July 2011.

First the A8 series. There are two models in A8 series, namely the A8-3850 rated 100W 2.9GHz Quad Core. The other model is A8-3000 rated 65W, 2.7/2.4GHz (turbo Core). Both has 4MB L2 cache, 400 Radeon Cores with GPU at 600MHz. Graphics class is HD 6550D.

There are three in A6 Series, the first is A6-3650. It is a 100W, 4core at 2.6GHz. THe A6-3600 is 65W 4Core, 2.4/2.1GHz (Turbo Core). The A6-3500 is 65W 3 core 2.4/2.1 (turbo Core). All has 4MB L2 cache except A6-3500 which has 3MB. All three models have 320 Radeon Cores at 443MHz. Graphics class is HD 6530D

Lastly the A4 series A4-3400 is 65W 2 cores 2.7GHz and A4-3300 65W 2C at 2.5GHz. All A4 models have 160 Radeon Cores of HD 6410D. L2 cache is 1MB and the graphics GPU clock is 600MHz for A4-3400 and 443MHz for A4-3300.

The most interesting processor I would say is the A6-3500. As it is a tri core, it seems that this processor is exactly the same as A6-3600 with one core “turned off”. Will there be any BIOS hack that can turn on the hidden core if the hidden core exists ?

ASUS SABERTOOTH 990FX Motherboard Review – Intro
Bluetooth 7 Jun 2011

At Computex Taipei 2011, ASUS launched a few 9 series motherboards for the upcoming 8 core AM3+ processor from AMD. Based on the AMD 990FX+SB950 chipsets, the chipset doesn’t bring about much difference from it’s previous generation 890FX+SB850 chipsets. Although the processor is not available, the new series of motherboards are highly sought after due to it’s compatibility with exisiting AM3 processors. You don’t even need to change your exisiting AM3 heatsink as it will fit the brackets.

AMD 990FX Chipset is designed to support up to 5.2GT/s HyperTransport™ 3.0 (HT 3.0) interface speed and dual PCI Express™ 2.0 x16 graphics. It is optimized with AMD latest AM3+ and multi-core CPUs to provide excellent system performance and overclocking capabilities.

AMD boards has always been CrossFire X enabled. This isn’t the case for SABERTOOTH 990FX. This board supports multi-GPU configurations through both SLI™ and CrossFireX using the 4 full length PCIe slots.  This motherboard features the powerful AMD® 990FX/SB950 platform, optimizing PCIe allocation in multiple GPU configurations. Expect a brand new gaming style like you’ve never experienced before!

Other features include ASmedia USB 3.0, SATA 6Gbps support, front panel USB, UEFI BIOS, eSATA, 8 ch audio, VIA 1394.

On first sight, this TUF board looks different from it’s predessor. The SABERTOOTH board which we saw earlier comes with a jacket. The 990FX SABERTOOTH doesn’t have that.

The TUF always stress DURABILITY. That is why ASUS gave it a 5 years warranty. Some of these features include :

CeraM!X – Heatsink Coating Tech – 50% Larger area for heat dissipation with the revolutionary ceramics-coating technology Innovative ceramics effectively conducts heat away from the system. It replaces traditional anti-oxidant to dissipate heat better with its microscopic irregular surface and enlarged area. Better cooling leads to overall improvement in system stability.

TUF Thermal Radar

Real Time Temp Detection and Heat Removal

The TUF Thermal Radar monitors temps in critical parts of the motherboard in real time, automatically adjusting fan speeds to make sure the system maintains high stability without overheating. It consists of multiple sensors for various components on the motherboard, giving users the ability to monitor each one individually. The Thermal Radar automatically calculates ideal fan speeds based on different parameters selected by users for each component, keeping everything cooler and longer lasting.

“TUF ENGINE!” Power Design

DIGI+ VRM

Herald the Arrival of a New Digital Power Design Era

The new ASUS DIGI+ VRM design upgrades motherboard power delivery to a digital standard. The 8+2 digital architecture provides the highest power efficiency, generating less heat to enhance longer component lifespan and ensure minimal powerloss. With ASUS DIGI+ VRM, users can easily adjust power phase performance, enabling new PWM voltage and frequency modulation controls. Digital 8+2 power phase design also expands the modulation spectrum for improved stability and lower VRM switching noise by dynamically detecting system load, empowering users with superior flexibility and perfect precision to ensure optimized performance, extreme system stability, and greater power efficiency.

E.S.P. Efficient Switching Power Design

Optimal power efficiency for key components

Exclusively for this motherboard, the switching power design is provided not only for the CPU and memory, but also for other key components such as graphics cards, LAN and USB 3.0. E.S.P. dramatically improves system efficiency and reduces heat generation.

TUF Components (Alloy Choke, Cap. & MOSFET; Certified by Military-standard)

Certified for Tough Duty

Get rugged performance even in the most challenging conditions with robust TUF chokes, solid capacitors, and MOSFETs–certified through third-party, military-grade testing. TUF Chokes, also known as the “Alloy Choke”, is a made of a compound of various types of metal instead standard iron, enables the support of up to a massive 40A of rated current, 25% higher than conventional component. Furthermore, the single piece packaing also elimates the emission of virbation noise, delivering superb charactoristics as well as durability under extreme conditions.

At Computex Taipei 2011, AMD reveals it’s roadmap for its AMD Client Platform for Mainstream, Ultrathin/Notebook and Tablet for 2011-2012.

From the chart, it is not surprising that APU is the way to go for AMD for the comnig year. While LIano processors are still not on sale (scheduled for early July as we heard), Trinity (Bulldozer core) will be the next big thing in 2012. Likewise for the Ultrathin / Noteboko we have a transition from Ontario to Krishna. As for Tablets, it will be from Desna to  Hondo.

Photo Courtesy of mycom.co.jp

Source

In a surprise announcement at Computex in Taiwan, AMD unveiled its plans to produce a Bulldozer-based APU, codenamed Trinity. The company also launched its Z series chips, aimed at Windows tablets, and announced the official branding for its Llano APUs. (“APU” is AMD-speak for a processor that combines CPU and GPU cores on a single die.)

Not much was revealed about the 32nm Trinity chip apart from the codename, the fact that it combines Bulldozer cores with a GPU, and the fact that the GPU supports DX11. This would definitely pose a big challenge to the Intel Sandy bridge which has a weaker GPU.

AMD also launched it’s Z series APUs targeting tablets. The Bobcat-based Z series parts will have a 6W TDP, which is much higher than Intel’s Moorestown (which is in the 1W range, depending on what you’re doing), and certainly not even close to being in the same league as the sub-1W ARM competition. With the higher power draw, the Z series would most likely see itself on netbooks rather than on a tablet.

AMD announced the official VISION branding for Llano today, dubbing it the A series of APUs. The three tiers in the Llano family are A4, A6, and A8, which means that the recently leaked slides showing these codenames were legit. As was shown in the leaked presentation, AMD will be aiming Llano squarely at Intel’s current Sandy Bridge lineup.

For a preview of the benchmark performance of the A series LIano against the Intel Sandy bridge, please click here.

Source

The GA-A75-UD4H is the AMD A75 chipset mainboard. It supports the AMD APU using the Socket FM1 for 32nm AMD A series processors.

With the integrated graphics of Radeon class HD65xx/64xx (DX11), the APU is capable to deliver better quality 3D graphics than before.

Although it has integrated graphics, it also support AMD Dual Graphics technology with the 2 PCIe 2.0 interface on board.

For graphics, the board supports output port DisplayPort, HDMI, Duallink DVI of up to 2560×1600 FULL HD playback. The board also supports 3x USB power On/Off charge USB ports, 8 USB 3.0, 6 SATA3 (6Gbps) ports. Other features include Dual BIOS, 3TB+ HDD boot up, 108db S/N audio playback, auto green etc.

Performance preview of AMD LIano vs Intel Sandy Bridge

In a few more weeks, the Intel Sandy bridge will face a new challenger, the AMD LIano. AMD LIano is the new processor series that is based on AMD Fusion, integrating the graphics processor into the same package of the processor. Also known as APU, it will compete head to head to Intel Sandy bridge which also power an embedded graphcis processor within.

While Intel H55 or Z68 can be paired up with the Core i3/i5 processors for it’s graphics capabilities, the AMD LIano processors have to be paired up with the A75 series motherboards with Socket FM-1.

So, how does the AMD LIano performs against the Intel Sandybridge? We take a look at two comparison running different processors on INTEL and AMD platform for 3DMark Vantage and PC Mark Vantage.

The scores are preliminary based on early beta drivers.

The Gigabyte A75-UD4H is powered by AMD hudson D3 chipset and support the latest AMD A series APU on socket FM-1.

This board features on board video from the APU with output ports HDMI,DVI and Display Port. On board is two full length PCIe slots which supports AMD crossFire.

A change from the previous generation of boards, the Gigabyte A75-UD4H now adopts the Etrontech USB 3.0 controllers which has just passed the USB-IF test recently. 1394 is also supported by VIA controller chip on board.

For audio, it uses the Realtek codec and supports Dolby Home Theatre. Other features include On/Off, EasyTune, Smart 6 etc, Dual BIOS etc.
The board will go on sale some time in July 2011 in time for the launch of the A series processors.

ECS Black Extreme A990FXM-A Motherboard Unveils Next Extreme Gaming Generation

Taipei, Taiwan, 31st May, 2011 – Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS), the world’s leading motherboard, graphics card, barebone system, and notebook manufacturer is pleased to announce the latest AMD AM3+ support motherboard – ECS Black Extreme A990FXM-A. Coming with unbelievable gaming power, ECS Black Extreme A990FXM-A is going to bring about the storm of next gaming generation.

AM3+ Platform, Gaming Power Overclock

ECS Black Extreme A990FXM-A motherboard support 8-Core AMD CPU with AM3+ socket enables users to experience the most-core CPU of next generation. ECS Black Extreme A990FXM-A also supports 3-way AMD ATI CrossFireXTM and even 3-way NVIDIA® SLI® technology to support NVIDIA® graphic cards to empower graphics ability firing up your gaming accelerating speed. Moreover, ECS A990FXM-A supports DDR3 2133(OC) with two sets of dual channel architecture up to 32GB.

QoolTechTM IV, Chameleon in Your PC

ECS Black Extreme A990FXM-A motherboard adopts the cutting-edge and exclusive technology—QoolTechTM IV, using unique thermochromic dyes on heat sink which changes colors to identify the temperature and including three heat pipes and innovative welding technology, which help to achieve more heat dissipation up to 20% efficiency.

The thermochromic heat sink with unique dyes responds to heat and transfers between solid and liquid forms to display different color, which is the first time the technology is adopted in the industry. Three heat pipes with welding technology help to connect the bottom of cooler with heat pipe; in this way, the heat will directly transfer to heat pipe without the intermediary of a piece of copper to achieve higher heat dissipation.

Black Extreme Equipment, Power up Every Possibility

Beside AM3+ support strength and QoolTechTM IV technology, as one of Black Extreme series, A990FXM-A motherboard of course would be equipped with the best equipments to maximize its power. 3333 technology includes 15μgold contact, USB 3.0, SATA 3.0, eSATA 3.0, which not only enhances better system and plug-in stability but also provides the fastest transportation technology. ECS Black Extreme A990FXM-A also supplies Bluetooth on board to lift up the transportation ability of your PC in wireless strength.

In our News Coverage @ OCWorkbench, we will cover the new products launch or seen at Computex Taipei 2011. If you are a manufacturer or vendor who likes to have your product exposed here, do feel free to drop us an email.

Here is a list of news articles on Computex Taipei 2011 [It will be updated daily]

Computex Taipei 2011 News Coverage AMD Client Platform Roadmap

Computex Taipei 2011 News Coverage AMD announces Trinity, talks Llano, launches Z series at Computex

Computex Taipei 2011 Kingston launches Wireless storage device Wi-Drive for Apple iPad®, iPhone® and iPod touch® users

Computex Taipei 2011 Coverage Sharkoon Flexi-Drive Ultimate with Eight-channel MLC Architecture | Write Speed up to 120 MB/s, Read Rate up to 200 MB/s

Computex Taipei 2011 Coverage ADATA demonstrates fastest RAM Disk scoring 6GB/s READ and 9GBs WRITE

Computex Taipei 2011 Coverage MSI displays Afterburner App for Android, the World’sFirst Android-based Overclocking Utility for Graphics Cards:

Computex Taipei 2011 Coverage MSI launches Military Class II standard boards – Z68A-GD80, 990FXA-GD80, Big Bang-Marshal (B3)

Computex Taipei 2011 Coverage Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3-iSSD integrates mSATA for speed enhancement using ISRT

Computex Taipei 2011 Coverage Gigabyte X79A-UD3 Intel X79 futuristic board on display

Computex Taipei 2011 Coverage Gigabyte A75-UD4H sighted

Computex Taipei 2011 Coverage G.Skill showcases its latest SATA 3 SSD, Phoenix II Pro, and ultra high performance desktop memory series

Computex Taipei 2011 Coverage Gigabyte makes Z68 Gaming Board – GA-Z68-Gaming

Computex Taipei 2011 ASUS UX21 subnotebook challenges Mac Air with it’s super thin design

Computex Taipei 2011 Coverage ASUS showcase dual socket LGA1366 and LGA2011 ROG motherboard “DANSHUI BAY”

Computex Taipei 2011 MSI shows sub 300 dollars 7″ and 10″ WindPad

Computex Taipei 2011 GIGABYTE Launches New AMD 900 Series Motherboards Delivers 4-way SLI™ andCrossFireX™ Support for the First Time on the AMD Platform

Computex Taipei 2011 Qualcomm’s new chipset to be featured on Taiwan tablet PCs

Computex Taipei 2011 ASUS SABERTOOTH 990FX available in market

Computex Taipei 2011 Shuttle launches Tablets based on Nvidia Tegra2

Computex Taipei 2011 Coverage ASUS CrossHair V Formula AMD 990FX board Video

Computex Taipei 2011 INTEL Shows X79 mainboards ASUS CIX79 Deluxe, ASROCK X79 Extreme4, Gigabyte GD X79A-UD3 and the MSI X79A-GD65

Computex Taipei 2011 Coverage ASUS unveils PadFone, a tablet that comes equipped with an integrated smartphone docking station

Computex Taipei 2011 ASUS CrossHair V Formula AMD 990FX board sighted

Computex Taipei 2011 Coverage Gigabyte announces S1080 Windows 7 tablet with USB 3.0 and optical drive dock

Computex Taipei 2011 Coverage Exclusive Performance preview of AMD LIano vs Intel Sandy Bridge

Computex Taipei 2011 Coverage NVIDIA to showcase Tegra 3 mobile quad core processor

Computex Taipei 2011 Coverage Gigabyte showcase AMD Fusion board A75-UD4H

Computex Taipei 2011 ECS A75F-A(v10) AMD Fusion motherboard on show at Computex

Computex Taipei 2011 ECS unveils it’s ECS Black Extreme A990FXM-A Motherboard

Computex Taipei 2011 Gigabyte announces GA-990FXA-UD3 AMD 990FX SB950 AM3+ motherboard

Computex Taipei 2011 ASUS Padfone, Android 3.1 for Transformer update

Computex Taipei 2011 ECS to showcase AMD 990FX board A990FXM-A (V1.0)

Computex Taipei 2011 GIGABYTE Offers Bundle on Z68XP-UD3-iSSD Motherboard featuring 20GB Intel® SSD 311 Series to support Intel Smart Response Technology

Computex Taipei 2011 Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3 will have PCIe based SSD slot to support Intel Smart Response Technology

Computex Taipei 2011 AMD’s LIano and Bulldozer delayed to August ? [updated]

Computex Taipei 2011 – AMD A75 boards to be displayed by major brands

Computex Taipei 2011 – ASRock to showcase AMD 990FX board 990FX Extreme4, AMD A75 board A75 Extreme6 and Intel Z68 board Fatal1ty Z68 Professional at Computex Taipei 2011

ECS Presents A75 Series with the latest AMD A series APU with AMD Hudson D3 chipset and AMD FM-1 socket

It will also be available at http://computextaipei.wordpress.com

Gigabyte E350N-USB3 AMD Brazos Mainboard Review Intro
Bluetooth 8 Mar 2011

AMD has been busy with developing the APU for some years. With Intel releasing it’s latest H67 processors with embedded graphics, AMD’s game plan is to tackle it’s competitor from bottom up, e.g. low processor speed high performance graphics at a good price point.

Known as the AMD brazos, the GA-E350N-USB3 comes with an APU and the Fusion Controller HUB (FCH). The APU integrates a CPU and a graphics processor inside one unit. The embedded graphics is a DX11 AMD Radeon HD 6310 class graphics. The mainboard supports only 2 DIMMs running single channel memory architecture of up to 8GB of DDR3-1333(OC)/1066.

As this board is meant to be a low power deskbook, it only has a TDP of only 18W, making it a direct competitor to the Atom processors from Intel.

Other specifications of this board include 1 full length PCI e 2.0 slot running at PCIe x4. On board 8 USB 2.0 and 2 USB 3.0 (NEC) ports, SATA 6Gbps x 4.3 display ports D-SUB, HDMI and DVI-D. The audio uses Realtek ALC892 w Dolby home theatre.

Below is the unboxing of the package.

The Radeon HD 6990 aims to return AMD to the king the GPU roost, and the card upsizes just about everything. Simple extrapolation of the cards dimensions based on the photos indicate that the HD 6990 will go outside the 10.5″ GPU standard, appearing to be approximately 12-inches in length. It features only a single DVI connector, with 4 display ports allowing for 5 display Eyefinity on a single card. Power is provided by dual 8-pin PCIe connections, indicating a potential power draw of around 300W, but you can expect AMD’s PowerTune technology to keep it all in check.

ASUS Crosshair IV Extreme Review – Intro
Bluetooth 13 Feb 2011

Gamer’s board are usually high end boards because of the requirements. High bandwidth is necessary as a difference of 1 fps would be lethal in gaming. Of course, that not only involves the network, it also involves the graphics capability and support of multiple cards.

In the past, we see that AMD boards supports CrossFire X or SLI. The limitation is that you have to buy a pair, tri or quad to work. This seems to be limiting as you might have to give up your old card in favour of the higher performance. With ASUS Crosshair IV Extreme with Lucid Hydra technology, you can now run SLI, CrossFireX and most importantly mix and match AMD and NVIDIA cards and they do no need to be of the same model to speed up your graphical perforamnce. That definitely helps you to save some costs during upgrading process. It has 5 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (dual @ x16, triple @x16, quad@x16 x16 x8 x8) and 1 x PCI 2.2 slot.

So what does the board support ? The ASUS Crosshair IV Extreme supports the AMD Phenom™ II/Athlon™ II/ Sempron™ 100 Series Processors (AM3 CPU). This motherboard supports AMD® Socket AM3 multi-core processors with unique L3 cache and delivers better overclocking capabilities with less power consumption. It features dual-channel DDR3 1333 memory support and accelerates data transfer rate up to 5200MT/s via HyperTransport™ 3.0 based system bus. This motherboard also supports AMD® CPUs in the new 45nm manufacturing process. It has Core Unlocker to unlock the hidden cores of your Phenom processor. There is also USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gbps support on board.

AMD 890FX Chipset is designed to support up to 5.2GT/s HyperTransport™ 3.0 (HT 3.0) interface speed and dual PCI Express™ 2.0 x16 graphics. It is optimized with AMD latest AM3 and multi-core CPUs to provide excellent system performance and overclocking capabilities

On top of all these, it has RC Bluetooth.  Just simply push the button from the Back I/O on the RC Bluetooth card, overclockers can real-time monitor the desktop PC system status & tweak its parameters – such as voltages and frequency on the fly. When users want to use ordinary bluetooth functions, just simply push the button once again & enjoy all the wireless convenience brought from RC Bluetooth.

Alternatively, Plug and Overclock – Tweak it the hardcore way! Monitor the status of your desktop PC and tweak its parameters in real-time via a notebook—just like a race car engineer—with ROG Connect. ROG Connect links your main system to a notebook through a USB cable, allowing you to view real-time POST code and hardware status readouts on your notebook, as well as make on-the-fly parameter adjustments at a purely hardware level.

ON board is the iROG, The iROG is a special IC which enables several ROG highlitghted functions that gives users full disposal of the motherboard at any stage! This design allows advanced user control and management to be processed purely at a hardware level. iROG greatly increases fun during overclocking for PC enthusiasts and it offers system maintainence and management with more control and efficiency

The board also supporst 2 BIOS with 2 BIOS settings. You can flash back to the old BIOS any time. The board also has Probelt, you can measure the voltage levels using a multimeter direct from the mainboard.

Other features include loadline calibration to maintain ample voltage for CPU during overclocking. The Voltminder LED also shows the voltage levels usnig different colours to ensure that you don’t overvolt the components (CPU,NB,SB,Memory).

AMD fans looking for a mini-itx board for your HTPC setup should consider the new low power Dual Core Zacate E350 based ASRock board E350M1.  The board has an APU on board (a CPU and GPU integrated into one). It has Dual DDR3-1066 slots supporting up to 16GB. Graphisc  on board is a DX11 iGPU with PS 5.0 support.  There are also multiple output ports -  D-Sub, DVI-D and HDMI.

Standard Mini-ITX motherboard for Mini-ITX and
Micro-ATX case
- AMD Dual-Core Zacate E350 APU
- Solid Capacitor for CPU power
- Supports DDR3 1066, 2 DIMM slots, Max.
capacity up to 16GB
- Integrated AMD Radeon HD 6310 graphics,
DX11 class iGPU, Pixel Shader 5.0
- 1 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot
- Multi VGA Output options: D-Sub, DVI-D and
HDMI
- 4 x SATA3 connectors
- 7.1 CH HD Audio with Content Protection
(Realtek ALC892 Audio Codec), Premium Blu-ray
audio support
- Supports ASRock Instant Boot, Instant Flash,
Multi-Speed Fan Control, APP Charger,
SmartView
- Free Software : CyberLink DVD Suite – OEM and
Trial; Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi MB – Trial

MSI and Corbell showcase new Fuzion boards at annual event at Vivocity
Bluetooth 26 Sep 2010

Corbell, the Singapore’s distributor held it’s annual end user gathering event at the usual Vivocity Cineplex last week. Media and end users were invited for a buffet, movie treat and most importantly a technical update on the latest MSI products.

The main focus on the event would be the Fuzion series of boards.  

Fuzion solution based on Lucid Hydra 200 allows users to use upgrade their graphics performance by adding more graphics cards to their system. As most traditional Intel or AMD designs, they don’t allow competitor cards to be used to improve overall system performance. For example, in SLI, you need to get two cards of the same GPU, the same applies for ATi’s CrossFireX.

Some of these problems also exists on chipset support for SLI or CrossFireX. For example, you can’t run SLI on AMD based motherboards. While high end Intel X58 solutions support both CrossFireX and SLI but they don’t allow an ATi card and NVIDIA card to work in tandem. So, if you require multi GPU system, you are quite restricted in the number of choices.

Fuzion resolves these issues as it is found that most poeple   still want to reuse their old VGA cards.  Fuzion thus enables true upgrade path for your old graphics cards and you can enjoy different GPU vendor features such as PhysX Cuda and Eyefinity all on the same board using two different cards.

MSI intoduce two mid range boards, the P55A FUZION and the 870A FUZION. The first is based on Intel P55 while the later is based on AMD 870 chipset. Both boards highlights the Military Class Components that is Hi-C Cap, Icy Choke and Solid Cap for longevity.

The Hi-C Cap provides 8X longer life than traditional capacitors. Icy Choke has 20 deg celsius lower temperature than traditional Ferrite Choke. The Solid cap gives you 10 year ultra long lifetime than traditional capacitors.

To ensuer top quality and stability. Quality parts are used. All military class components meet temperature requirement of US department of defense MIL-PRF-39003L standard. Some class of components are used on NASA satellites or space shuttles because of the highest quality.

The P55A Fuzion based on Intel P55 solution comes with 2 full length PCIe X16 slots. It supports the Fuzion Technology in N mode/A mode/X mode. it has Front USB 3.0 port. It uses a 8+2 phase DrMOS PWM and extra 6 pin VGA power for maximum stability. Other features include OC Genie, Super Unlock, True PCIe gen 2 x16, USB 3 and SATA 6Gbps ports.

The 870A Fuzion board based on AMD 870 chipset also supports N mode/A mode/X mode and Front USB 3.0. It also has OC Genie, Unlock GPU Core, True PCIe Gen 2 x16, USB 3 and SATA 6Gbps support.

Both boards are already on sale. Mix and Match your same brand of different brand graphics cards and get the best performance out of them,

See detail exhibits below :

Intel will launch new series of P67 and H67 chipsets in Jan 2011 with 25% graphics improvement

It is annual update with chipsets. Intel is slated to launch the P67 and H67 chipsets in Jan 2011. Board manufacturers are eagerly awaiting for the new processors and chipsets as they already have the boards ready for the new yr.

For those who have seen our report of Computex 2010, you would have seen some early static boards of P67 or H67.

Basically, the P67 and H67 do not differ much from it’s predecessors the P55 and H55. Basically the P67 is discrete while the H67 has graphics output ports on the mainboard.

One thing to note is that the P67 and H67 will support new series of processors with LGA1155 socket. Thus, your current processors won’t run on the new boards with new chipsets.

The new processors with 1155 is slated to be lanuched in January 2011 or so. The new embedded graphics on these processors is said to have a 25% improvement in performance over the current LGA1156 processors.

Currently, Intel P55 and H55 boards support overclocking. Unfortunately, the next generation H67 will not support overclocking. So, if you need to overclock, you would have to go for discrete solution, the P67.