AMD Fusion "Trinity" Desktop APUs to Hit 4GHz Clock-Speed

In an attempt to ensure maximum performance of its forthcoming mainstream desktop accelerated processing units (APUs), Advanced Micro Devices plans to dramatically boost clock-speeds of its code-named Trinity chips. Thanks to frequencies that are up to 800MHz higher compared to Llano APUs available now, Trinity will likely offer significantly better performance.

According to a slide, which resembles those from Advanced Micro Devices' documents, published by DonanimHaber web-site, base clock-speeds of A-series "Trinity" APUs for desktops will start at 3.20GHz and will span to 3.80GHz. Boosted Turbo Core clock-speeds of desktops accelerated processing units will be up to 4.20GHz. Frequencies of integrated graphics processing units will also be considerably higher compared to Llano and therefore will also be faster.



AMD’s second-generation code-named Trinity APU for mainstream personal computers (Comal for notebooks and Virgo for desktops) will be made using 32nm SOI HKMG process technology at Globalfoundries. The APU will feature up to four x86 cores powered by enhanced Bulldozer/Piledriver architecture, AMD Radeon HD 7000-series "Southern Islands" graphics core with DirectX 11-class graphics support, DDR3 memory controller and other improvements. The chips will be compatible with new infrastructure.

According to performance benchmarks conducted by AMD, the Trinity 35W APU with Piledriver-class x86 cores will provide 25% better x86 performance compared to Llano 35W (with K10.5+ "Husky" x86 cores) based on results obtained in PC Mark Vantage Productivity benchmark. AMD also claims that Trinity 35W will offer up to 50% better result in 3D Mark Vantage performance benchmark compared to Llano 35W.

According to documents seen by X-bit labs, staring from early and middle March, 2012, AMD intends to mass produce its desktop A-series "Trinity" accelerated processing units with 65W thermal design power (TDP). In early May, 2012, the chip designer wants to initiate mass production of desktop A-series "Trinity" APUs with 100W TDP and higher performance. The Sunnyvale, California-based chip designer plans to release Trinity in mid-2012.