14 DAY TRIAL // Almost two weeks after launching its first accelerated processing units base on the Llano architecture, AMD has announced the availability of the premier A-Series desktop APUs, the A8-3850 and A6-3650.
From the previous leaks that made their way to the Web, we know that the desktop Llano APU line is comprised of no less than six chips, but for whatever reason AMD decided to debut only two processors today.
Both of these accelerated processing units feature four processing cores, carry 4MB of Level 2 cache memory, lack support for AMD's Turbo Core 2.0 technology and have a TDP of 100W.
However, they do use different operating frequencies, since the A8-3850 is running at 2.9GHz while the A6-3650 is clocked at 2.6GHz, as well as different integrated graphics cores, Radeon HD 6550D in the A8 chip and HD 6530 in the A6 APU.
As expected, the HD 6550D is the faster option since it packs 400 stream processors clocked at 600MHz compared to the 320 stream processors that operate at 433MHz used for the HD 6530D.
All AMD's A-Series accelerated processing units are compatible with the FM1 socket and can be paired with motherboards built around the AMD A75 or A70 Fusion controller hubs (FCH).
AMD A8-3850 and A6-3650 desktop processors are scheduled to be available for purchase through system builders and at major online retailers, including Amazon, CyberPower, iBuyPower, Newegg and TigerDirect beginning July 3, 2011.
Pricing was established at $135 for the AMD A8-3850, while its smaller brother has a recommended retail price of $115.
The rest of the A-Series desktop processors based on the Llano architecture are expected to be launched later this year, but AMD hasn't made an official release date public.
All of the unreleased Llano APUs have a TDP of 65W and include two or four processing cores as well as Turbo Core 2.0 support.