AMD Kaveri APU Architecture Detailed

[Kai Robinson]

http://wccftech.com/amd-kaveri-apu-a...ler-gcn-cores/

I'll be very interested if the supposed IPC improvements pan out....and if a non APU version of the steamroller core is coming to the desktop.

[LordEC911]

and if a non APU version of the steamroller core is coming to the desktop.

Unlikely... they are pushing HSA for a reason.

[xBanzai89]

Unlikely... they are pushing HSA for a reason.

With that don't expect to see any 4 module APU in the future on FM2+ or future versions to replace the current FX series?

[SKYMTL]

With that don't expect to see any 4 module APU in the future on FM2+ or future versions to replace the current FX series?

Without something like Hyper-Threading, AMD just can't build an 8-threaded APU without making their product consume more power than their customers want.

[vario]

Without something like Hyper-Threading, AMD just can't build an 8-threaded APU without making their product consume more power than their customers want.

They could make a CPU tho, either for AM3+ or FM2+.However it looks like they wont.Which will be a mistake, but hey, everyone nowadays does stupid mistakes (hello ms and intel)

[qcmadness]

Without something like Hyper-Threading, AMD just can't build an 8-threaded APU without making their product consume more power than their customers want.

Don't think so.

[Iconyu]

Without something like Hyper-Threading, AMD just can't build an 8-threaded APU without making their product consume more power than their customers want.

And yet they are selling 200w+ 5ghz units to OEM's? AMD's priorities are messed up, HSA should be on enthusiast parts too. Pigeon holing themselves as mainstream part sellers won't get them very far because those customers ask enthusiasts for advice, and bias is always an issue.

Unless their plans for discrete card HSA are closer than I think AMD won't be taking advantage for the next gen console blow back.

[Ace123]

In my research, all rumors lead to an initial launch of APU first, followed by an AM3+ launch afterwards

that being said, I cant find any roadmaps that would suggest this. AMD is being very secretive as of late.

[i found nemo]

And yet they are selling 200w+ 5ghz units to OEM's?

yes just like they sell 125w 4.2ghz parts. overclock a vishera core to 5ghz.. i assure you it will be 200 watts or more.

[Manicdan]

yes just like they sell 125w 4.2ghz parts. overclock a vishera core to 5ghz.. i assure you it will be 200 watts or more.

not always true, we can adjust voltages per chip based on our thermal range. while a stock chip has to maintain stability up to certain temp range and so it comes with a much higher voltage than needed.

i did a review on heat output and overclocking, got thuban an extra 900mhz while keeping the same energy draw, because i choose my voltage.

[i found nemo]

if amd can give me a reason to use my am3+ motherboard that has an am3 cpu in it. i'd be glad to run it. i pray for a relly good last revision. the one time i buy a motherboard to future-proof it.. then the company i chose kind of falls on it's face..

off topic -

the point is 5ghz at 200 - 225w is excpected, and decent.

not always true, we can adjust voltages per chip based on our thermal range. while a stock chip has to maintain stability up to certain temp range and so it comes with a much higher voltage than needed.

i did a review on heat output and overclocking, got thuban an extra 900mhz while keeping the same energy draw, because i choose my voltage.

[highoctane]

And yet they are selling 200w+ 5ghz units to OEM's? AMD's priorities are messed up, HSA should be on enthusiast parts too. Pigeon holing themselves as mainstream part sellers won't get them very far because those customers ask enthusiasts for advice, and bias is always an issue.

Well low volume high watt 5ghz parts are just binned niche parts which should be relatively low cost to bring to market.

[Particle]

I don't get why people on enthusiast boards moan so much about a 220W TDP. I'll start to care once TDPs break into the 400s. Until then? Keep it coming.

[AMDforME]

The 220w stated TDP won't ever be seen even if the CPU is @ 100% load because it is the total power consumed not the true TDP as used for other AMD CPU/APUs. The point of advertising it as 220w TDP is so that mobo makers don't recommend people use these on mobos with poor VRM circuits that can't continuously supply 165+w without thermal failure. The better highend AM3+ mobo designs will likely be able to accommodate the FX-9590 without issue if it has a quality VRM design and proper cooling as many people already run OC'ed FX-8350 CPUs @ ~5 GHz. on these mobos without issue.

Kaveri will have significantly improved IPC. A CPU only desktop Steamroller version "may" be produced. The jury is still out on this but I imagine an e-mail "write-in campaign to AMD execs" might be a useful means to alert them to the desire of the AM3+ mobo market who desire to get the best value from their existing AM3+ mobo purchase. A Kaveri CPU only server model will be offered so why not an AM3+ desktop Steamroller model? The squeaky wheel gets the grease... and consumers do rule.

Most mobo makers are validating their existing mobos now to advise which ones are capable of using the FX-9590 without issue. That info. should be disseminated shortly.

[LordEC911]

Kaveri will have significantly improved IPC. A CPU only desktop Steamroller version "may" be produced. The jury is still out on this but I imagine an e-mail "write-in campaign to AMD execs" might be a useful means to alert them to the desire of the AM3+ mobo market who desire to get the best value from their existing AM3+ mobo purchase. A Kaveri CPU only server model will be offered so why not an AM3+ desktop Steamroller model? The squeaky wheel gets the grease... and consumers do rule.

There has been absolutely no talk of that through 2014. The single socket servers are based on Kaveri(aka Berlin) and 2-4P are based on Piledriver cores (aka Warsaw) and the Seattle is ARM based.

Unless they have redefined their 2h '14 - 2015 roadmaps within the last month, there has been no mentioned of a Steamroller CPU w/o APU that I have seen.

[zanzabar]

Without something like Hyper-Threading, AMD just can't build an 8-threaded APU without making their product consume more power than their customers want.

you mean like the modules that are already like one core and 2 threads they sell now


i dont see amd getting anything with good general task performance unless openCL gets wide adoption.

[qcmadness]

I doubt Kaveri has a higher clock speed than Richland.

[SKYMTL]

The 220w stated TDP won't ever be seen even if the CPU is @ 100% load because it is the total power consumed not the true TDP as used for other AMD CPU/APUs. The point of advertising it as 220w TDP is so that mobo makers don't recommend people use these on mobos with poor VRM circuits that can't continuously supply 165+w without thermal failure. The better highend AM3+ mobo designs will likely be able to accommodate the FX-9590 without issue if it has a quality VRM design and proper cooling as many people already run OC'ed FX-8350 CPUs @ ~5 GHz. on these mobos without issue.

Trust me, that 220W TDP for the FX-9590 is pretty close to what it can produce. Take out AMD's Cool n Quiet and Turbo CORE, let it run at 5GHz nominally and it's flaming hot. Even at 4.7GHz, it b*tch slaps most air coolers pretty hard.

[LordEC911]

I doubt Kaveri has a higher clock speed than Richland.

Doesn't need to if all the performance increases/enhancements are true.
If it tops out around 4.5-4.7ghz that would be awesome.

[PatRaceTin]

need new socket and new mobo FM2+

[Mechanical Man]

need new socket and new mobo FM2+

Yeah and im preeeeeetty sure it will have quad channel mem controller (stilt gave advice of bying 4*xGB ram in muropaketti if going to upgrade to kaveri...).

[paulbagz]

So keen for FM2+

HTPC needs a rollover!

-PB

[mutantmagnet]

And yet they are selling 200w+ 5ghz units to OEM's? AMD's priorities are messed up, HSA should be on enthusiast parts too. Pigeon holing themselves as mainstream part sellers won't get them very far because those customers ask enthusiasts for advice, and bias is always an issue.

Unless their plans for discrete card HSA are closer than I think AMD won't be taking advantage for the next gen console blow back.

I agree that enthusiasts would have a bias against a mainstream part and AMD has been advertising this as a mainstream part but unless certain news sources are incorrect the APU is capable of coordinating with enthusiast parts as long as the software is coded to do that.

It's due to that conditional which is probably why AMD doesn't emphasize its capabilities with discrete cards.

[AliG]

I think if AMD's marketing team were smart, they would just lay low for a while and funnel all their available funds towards engineering. Nothing buys customer love and forgiveness like good performance without PR BS

[LordEC911]

I think if AMD's marketing team were smart, they would just lay low for a while and funnel all their available funds towards engineering. Nothing buys customer love and forgiveness like good performance without PR BS

Because that worked soo well for them last time...