Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has unveiled its AMD Fusion Family of Accelerated Processing Units (APU) in India. These APUs were announced to be in development since 2006. The merger between AMD and ATI resulted in this product which combines general processor execution as well as 3D geometry processing and other functions of modern GPUs into a single chip.
Actress Gul Panag displaying the AMD chip.
➡ The system on chip (SoC) combines the multi-core CPU (x86) technology with the powerful DirectX®11-capable graphics and a parallel processing engine. The APU also includes a dedicated high-definition video acceleration block, and a high-speed bus that speeds data across the differing types of processor cores within the same design
➡ The APU comes in two versions as of now: the E series (codenamed Zacate) and the C series (codenamed Ontario). The more powerful A series (codenamed Llano) will launch in mid 2011.
- E-Series, an 18-watt TDP APU targets ultrathin, mainstream, and value notebooks as well as desktops and all-in-ones.
- C-Series, a 9-watt APU targets netbooks and small form factor desktops and devices.
➡ AMD has partnered with several Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) in India for launching over 11 AMD Fusion-based devices that will hit the market in course of next six months. In a press conference AMD had displayed some of the devices by Sony, Toshiba and Lenovo, powered by the APU Fusion processor.
➡ A 90 member team from AMD’s Research and Development Team in Hyderabad played a significant role in the design and development of the microprocessors, Fusion SoCs (system on chips), graphics and media solutions. Michael Goddard, VP and Chief Engineer, AMD revealed that for the upcoming A series APU, the Indian team is responsible for its delivery.
“AMD Fusion marks a monumental shift in computing performance, experience and possibilities because of the powerful combination of CPUs and discrete-level GPUs,” said Ravi Swaminathan, MD and regional VP, Sales & Marketing, AMD India at the launch in Bangalore. “AMD Fusion will eliminate the need for consumers to choose between power and performance enabling exciting new computing experiences at price points that offer tremendous value. This will also allow our partners to offer exciting new form factors on a robust computing platform. “With the APU technology in our stable, we will define the industry standard in personal computing.”
“The concept of synergizing the CPU and GPU has been intriguing right from the start. APU designs enable an amazing experience in any form factor, and are designed to provide significant advantages in power and design simplicity over competing multi-chip solutions,” said, Manju Hegde, corporate VP, Fusion Experience Program.
“Through Fusion, AMD is targeting the “sweet spot” for accelerated HD experiences across notebooks, desktops and HD netbooks. Following the successful strategy set by our discrete GPU business, our Fusion APUs are focused on delivering a performance advantage consumers can see and feel in the highest-sales volume segments of the PC industry.”
“Through Fusion, AMD is targeting the “sweet spot” for accelerated HD experiences across notebooks, desktops and HD netbooks. Following the successful strategy set by our discrete GPU business, our Fusion APUs are focused on delivering a performance advantage consumers can see and feel in the highest-sales volume segments of the PC industry.”
➡ AMD is eyeing to enter other form factors like tablets. When asked if AMD plans to enter the smartphone segment, Hegde declined to comment in the affirmative but added that they do have plans in the smartphone area which he can’t reveal at the moment.