AMD Q1 2015 Earnings - 23 cents a share loss, to exit dense server (SeaMicro)

[Arachnotronic]

You can't be serious. You really think the $10 AMD makes on a each console chip is more lucrative for them versus when they used to sell a single Opteron chip for $1500. Lower margins = revenue down / lower.

They produced 25+ million cat core APU's for the PS4 alone -- Show me the money. It's next to nothing.

I am serious, and no I didn't say console chips were more lucrative.

Revenue is not synonymous with profit.

 

[pablo87]

$355,95 or $320,95 AR with 2x 4GB 2400MHz memory and 240GB SSD. You can upgrade to A10-7850K any time and double your performance if you wish.
Obviously you can go lower than that but that is a nice cheap Slim SFF entry-level HTPC that can play the vast majority of games at 720p and has a nice video playback and good upgradability.

I'm going to wait for Carrizo.

Supposedly its much faster than this, its lower power and the bridge chip is integrated - you have a budget of $135 for the sheet metal, psu and mb but I can assure you it can be done a heck of a lot cheaper than that if you have a lower power part with integrated io (tempting to design my own, good times). Plus it'll consume less power. Like I said, AMD needs to catch up and flush the channel inventory and ramp Carrizo (if its a winner and its not just bluffing).

 

[ShintaiDK]

I'm going to wait for Carrizo.

But Carrizo doesnt come for desktop. Kaveri Refresh for that.

 

[cbn]

I'm going to wait for Carrizo.

Supposedly its much faster than this, its lower power and the bridge chip is integrated - you have a budget of $135 for the sheet metal, psu and mb but I can assure you it can be done a heck of a lot cheaper than that if you have a lower power part with integrated io (tempting to design my own, good times). Plus it'll consume less power. Like I said, AMD needs to catch up and flush the channel inventory and ramp Carrizo (if its a winner and its not just bluffing).

Carrizo could be interesting for Mini-ITX desktop if AMD does at least two things:

1. Offer an easy to use software utility that disables CPU downclocking under iGPU load. (This should increase TDP beyond 35 watts)

2. Enable the DDR4 memory controller.

 

[DrMrLordX]

We don't even know that Carrizo downclocks the CPU during iGPU load. It would be better for AMD and their customers if the chip actually checked thermals and/or power usage before making those throttling decisions, instead of hamfistedly gimping clockspeeds immediately just because the iGPU had some load on it.

The throttling behavior on Kaveri is "stupid" in that it does not examine actual power consumption, thermals, or anything before making the decision to start throttling.

I agree that waiting for Carrizo may be a non-starter. Waiting for Kaveri refresh might be a better idea if your interest is in desktops. Eventually, we may see Carrizo in BGA form-factor AIOs, but the first vanguard of new BGA desktop processors from AMD seems to be Carrizo-L which is just Beema/Mullins at higher clockspeeds.

 

[cbn]

I agree that waiting for Carrizo may be a non-starter. Waiting for Kaveri refresh might be a better idea if your interest is in desktops. Eventually, we may see Carrizo in BGA form-factor AIOs, but the first vanguard of new BGA desktop processors from AMD seems to be Carrizo-L which is just Beema/Mullins at higher clockspeeds.

One problem that FM2+ has is relatively expensive Mini-ITX boards (The ASRock A78 Fm2+ Mini-ITX is a possible exception). Carrizo may fix this as a BGA SOC is probably a lot easier to integrate into a SFF board.

However, with that mentioned, I do like the fact those building with Kaveri can have up to eight SATA 6 Gbps ports if they choose A88X. ( A definite advantage of Kaveri over Carrizo on the I/O side.)

P.S. Looks like A88X uATX boards with eight SATA 6 gbps ports start at $55 After rebate Free shipping (at Newegg).

 

[ShintaiDK]

One problem that FM2+ has is relatively expensive Mini-ITX boards (The ASRock A78 Fm2+ Mini-ITX is a possible exception). Carrizo may fix this as a BGA SOC is probably a lot easier to integrate into a SFF board.

However, with that mentioned, I do like the fact those building with Kaveri can have up to eight SATA 6 Gbps ports if they choose A88X. ( A definite advantage of Kaveri over Carrizo on the I/O side.)

P.S. Looks like A88X uATX boards with eight SATA 6 gbps ports start at $55 After rebate Free shipping (at Newegg).

Ask yourself why FM2+ is expensive in MiniITX. And you may end up in a volume issue. Something that is only getting worse day by day for AMD.

 

[AtenRa]

Ask yourself why FM2+ is expensive in MiniITX. And you may end up in a volume issue. Something that is only getting worse day by day for AMD.

Or perhaps it has more features than the competition, but that is not in your vocabulary

 

[Abwx]

Ask yourself why FM2+ is expensive in MiniITX. And you may end up in a volume issue. Something that is only getting worse day by day for AMD.

That s not due to volume, an A78 and A88 mini ITX Asrock MBs are 100 and 120€ respectively here, the most expensive uATX, the ASUS A88XM Plus, is barely 80€, that s just either manufacturers or retailers, or both, who are gouging prices in what is surely the only growing segment within DT offerings, Intel based 1150 mITX are identicaly priced if you want a recent chipset.

Or perhaps it has more features than the competition, but that is not in your vocabulary

Quite possible since the competition mITX MBs are also expensive unless you buy one with an old chipset...

 

[ShintaiDK]

Or perhaps it has more features than the competition, but that is not in your vocabulary

What features would that be that changes the volume aspect completely from mATX for example? There is no reason besides volume on why a mATX board should be cheaper than a mITX.

The short version is simply low sales. Something we already know.

 

[AtenRa]

What features would that be that changes the volume aspect completely from mATX for example? There is no reason besides volume on why a mATX board should be cheaper than a mITX.

The short version is simply low sales. Something we already know.

OK lets see,


Prices from Newegg (no AR, pure prices only)

For the same price the FM2+ board offers more features and you can also OverClock any FM2+ APU (Unlock or not through buss speed).

So by your logic, the Intel motherboards offer less features at the same price as AMD because Intel boards sell at lower volumes ???

ASRock FM2A88X-ITX+ = $83,99


Memory
Memory Standard
DDR3 2400+(OC)/2133/1866/1600/1333/1066

Maximum Memory Supported
32GB

Storage Devices

SATA 6Gb/s
6 x SATA 6Gb/s

SATA RAID
0/1/5/10

Onboard Audio

Audio Chipset
Realtek ALC1150

Onboard LAN

LAN Chipset
Qualcomm Atheros AR8171

Max LAN Speed
10/100/1000Mbps

Wireless LAN
WiFi IEEE 802.11 a / b / g / n

Bluetooth
Bluetooth 4.0 Class II



Rear Panel Ports

PS/2
1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse port

Video Ports
1 x D-Sub
1 x DVI-D

HDMI
1 x HDMI-Out
1 x HDMI-In

USB 3.0
2 x USB 3.0

USB 1.1/2.0
4 x USB 2.0

eSATA
1 x eSATA

S/PDIF Out
1 x Optical

Audio Ports
5 Ports

Internal I/O Connectors

Onboard USB
2 x USB 3.0 + 4 x USB 2.0

Other Connectors
1 x Chassis Intrusion Header
1 x TPM Header
1 x CPU Fan Connector (4-pin)
1 x Chassis Fan Connector (4-pin)
1 x 24 pin ATX Power Connector
1 x 4 pin 12V Power Connector
1 x Front Panel Audio Connector

-----------------------------------------------------------

GIGABYTE GA-B85N Phoenix-WIFI = $84,99


Memory
Memory Standard
DDR3 1600/1333

Maximum Memory Supported
16GB



Storage Devices

SATA 3Gb/s
1 x SATA 3Gb/s

SATA 6Gb/s
3 x SATA 6Gb/s

mSATA
1 x mSATA 6Gb/s



Onboard Audio

Audio Chipset
Realtek ALC898



Onboard LAN

LAN Chipset
Intel

Max LAN Speed
10/100/1000Mbps

Wireless LAN
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac

Bluetooth
Bluetooth 4.0, 3.0+HS, 2.1+EDR



Rear Panel Ports

PS/2
1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse port

Video Ports
1 x DVI-I

HDMI
1 x HDMI

USB 3.0
2 x USB 3.0

USB 1.1/2.0
5 x USB 2.0

S/PDIF Out
1 x Optical

Audio Ports
5 Ports

Antenna Connectors
2 x Wi-Fi antenna connectors


Internal I/O Connectors

Onboard USB
2 x USB 3.0 + 2 x USB 2.0

Other Connectors
1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector
1 x 4-pin ATX 12V power connector
1 x CPU fan header
1 x system fan header
1 x front panel header
1 x front panel audio header
1 x S/PDIF Out header
1 x serial port header
1 x chassis intrusion header
1 x Clear CMOS jumper

 

[ShintaiDK]

You again trying to compare apples and oranges in a cherry picked case completely out of context to avoid the ugly truth. Will it ever stop with you?

Tell me, why does an AMD mITX board cost more than a bigger AMD mATX board? The reason is volume. The same applies for any other.

Newegg only got 4 AMD FM2/FM2+ boards. The cheapest being 84$.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ption=miniITX&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=30

Intel on the other hand got 46 on LGA115x if you absolutely want to try and make this into AMD vs Intel. The cheapest being 45$.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ption=miniITX&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=30

 

[AtenRa]

You again trying to compare apples and oranges in a cherry picked case to avoid the ugly truth. Will it ever stop with you?

Same price Mini-iTX boards is apples to oranges ?? Well maybe only for you because it doesnt suite your agenda

If you have any other Socket 1150 Mini-iTX with better features than the one i linked above, at the same price or lower than the FM2+ board, by all means post the link.

Tell me, why does an AMD mITX board cost more than a bigger mATX? The reason is volume. The same applies for any other.

Same apples to Intel Socket 1150, Mini-iTX boards with same features as ATX/mATX boards are more expensive. It is not about volumes, its more about the format, board manufactures consider Mini-iTX as higher margin products.

 

[ShintaiDK]

Same apples to Intel Socket 1150, Mini-iTX boards with same features as ATX/mATX boards are more expensive. It is not about volumes, its more about the format, board manufactures consider Mini-iTX as higher margin products.

No, its about volume. While MiniITX is growing, it still doesnt hold the volume the others do.

Then you can try as much as you want to make it into another AMD vs Intel argument. But it got nothing to do with any of them.

 

[AtenRa]

No, its about volume. While MiniITX is growing, it still doesnt hold the volume the others do.

BOM for the Mini-iTX is lower (not to mention the same components are used in all formats), manufacturing time assemble is lower, packaging cost is lower etc etc. Everything is Cheaper with Mini-iTX, yet selling price is higher than ATX/mATX boards.
It is simple, Manufacturers are making higher margins on them than the traditional formats.

 

[cbn]

BOM for the Mini-iTX is lower (not to mention the same components are used in all formats), manufacturing time assemble is lower, packaging cost is lower etc etc. Everything is Cheaper with Mini-iTX, yet selling price is higher than ATX/mATX boards.
It is simple, Manufacturers are making higher margins on them than the traditional formats.

I don't doubt the margins are higher (re; it is a specialty product). But I would think the integration is also more difficult than a uATX board.

In any event, I would hope to see a cheaper FM2+ Mini-ITX board come out eventually. Maybe A68 Mini-ITX with reduced features, but still with four SATA ports.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Everything is Cheaper with Mini-iTX, yet selling price is higher than ATX/mATX boards.
It is simple, Manufacturers are making higher margins on them than the traditional formats.

This is true. mITX sells into the HTPC market, which is akin to the "audiophile stereo" market. It may have smaller volume, but, bottom line is, mfg's gouge because they can get that much for them.

For another example, look at Newegg, and the "HTPC / Media Center" case selection, and compare the prices to their ATX cases. Less metal, less features, smaller PSU, yet prices are about double, in many (ahem) cases.

 

[cbn]

For another example, look at Newegg, and the "HTPC / Media Center" case selection, and compare the prices to their ATX cases. Less metal, less features, smaller PSU, yet prices are about double, in many (ahem) cases.

Yes, that is frustrating.

One can often find something like the Coolermaster Elite 110/120 plus the Corsair CX430 for less money that one of those small specialty cases.

EDIT: That APEVIA X-FIT-100 AtenRa linked earlier was an exception though @ $39 shipped after rebate --> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144254 (Coolermaster 120 plus the CX 430 on sale will come within $6 of that price though.)

 

[MiddleOfTheRoad]

In regards to Mini-ITX: If you're building an AMD machine -- using AM1 is probably as cheap as it can get. But if the Athlon 5350 isn't up to your tasks, it does get a little expensive when you move up to FM2+. I do wish there were some FM2+ ITX motherboards around $50.

 

[B-Riz]

If any real EE's care to chime in, they will tell you straight up, the smaller / more complicated the PCB layout, the more expensive the end product will be.

ATX and mATX are cheaper than mITX because they are cheaper to design and make.