Llano and Bulldozer performance speculation thread

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podspi

Golden Member
Jan 11, 2011
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Honestly, I'm surprised that there haven't been any leaks with Bulldozer, given that engineering samples should be floating around. Given how tight-lipped the 5xxx series launch went, (and that performed well), I don't take this as bad a sign as some other people are...
 

nyker96

Diamond Member
Apr 19, 2005
5,630
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I personally deplore "leaks" as they generally add very little tangible or genuine value to the reader. Sure it whets out appetite and gives us something to be distracted by while time rolls on, but when was the last time any of us saw leaks of a CPU that meant a damn to us months later when the chip actually launched?

The anantech preview of Sandy is one comes to my mind: it's not leaks, it's like a full review, but of course, you are right, most leaks on the net are mostly fakes. But I don't really mind if something get my blood boiling for an upcoming product beats waiting w/o news.
 

LoneNinja

Senior member
Jan 5, 2009
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My prediction.

Llano X4 will be competing against SB I3, just as the Athlon II X4/Phenom II X4 are competitively priced against I3 and I5(dual cores) currently. It is the same arch after all, and it's been some time since I've read info but I believe it's 1mb L2 cache/core and no L3 cache.

Bulldozer I'm honestly not too sure what to expect, it's a completely new arch and there is no performance to really base it off of. Personally I'm expecting it to beat the likes of I7 950, I5 760, I7 870, I5 2500, I5 2600K etc, at least in threaded loads, while being unable to out perform socket 2011.

But it's all speculation, lets just wait for the reviews.
 

SolidSnake42

Senior member
Feb 9, 2010
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Would this be a CPU that you would probably have to buy a new AMD mobo for? Or is it still supporting AM3/AM3+?
 

busydude

Diamond Member
Feb 5, 2010
8,793
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Would this be a CPU that you would probably have to buy a new AMD mobo for? Or is it still supporting AM3/AM3+?

Llano uses a totally different socket referred to as FM1 and BD supports AM3+. Unfortunately, BD and Llano does not support current AM3 sockets.
 

RyanGreener

Senior member
Nov 9, 2009
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We have lots of talk about Bulldozer, but what will Llano actually be like? I've heard rumors it's basically a Phenom II-like CPU on the 32nm process and with an integrated GPU, but as far as CPU performance goes, how will that fair? I'm sure the transition to 32nm will do something for it, or am I wrong?
 

HW2050Plus

Member
Jan 12, 2011
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We have lots of talk about Bulldozer, but what will Llano actually be like? I've heard rumors it's basically a Phenom II-like CPU on the 32nm process and with an integrated GPU, but as far as CPU performance goes, how will that fair? I'm sure the transition to 32nm will do something for it, or am I wrong?
It will make it cheaper but not faster. Okay 32 nm might allow higher clocks, but I would not expect any difference in performance other than from higher clocking. That if your assumption (or rumor) is true that it will be a Phenom II die shrink with added graphics. I do not know if that assumption/rumor is really true.
 

maniac5999

Senior member
Dec 30, 2009
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We have lots of talk about Bulldozer, but what will Llano actually be like? I've heard rumors it's basically a Phenom II-like CPU on the 32nm process and with an integrated GPU, but as far as CPU performance goes, how will that fair? I'm sure the transition to 32nm will do something for it, or am I wrong?

I think that Llano will be disapointing overall. We all know that at best the K10.5 Stars core is equivalent to an old C2Q clock for clock, but uses more power. Optomistically on the desktop we could see 4ghz stock clocks and 4.5ghz OC potential, along with the fudged Turbo mode that AMD built into the E0 stepping CPUs. GPU-wise we have roughly a 5570 that's been forced to share a dual channel memory link with the CPU, which means that it will virtually always be bandwith limited.

On the desktop side it's going to be nice for prebuilt systems where manufacturers would otherwise cheap out and just use the IGP, but in the enthusiast market, where virtually everyone has a discrete card, it'll basically just be a die-shrunk Phenom II.

In the mobile space I think it'll be a mixed bag. The GPU will be the best IGP out there, and will make gaming on 13 and 14" laptops without discrete cards possible, however the Stars core is a power hog, and like current AMD Laptops the battery life will likely stink. (As will CPU performance, as they will need to clock it pretty low to make battery life tolerable)

However, I'm quite excited about 2nd generation Llano in the mobile space. Replace the K10.5 CPU with two Bulldozer modules and you're looking at something that would be awesome in the 13-15" space.
 

podspi

Golden Member
Jan 11, 2011
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I think Llano will be fine in the mobile space. Every 'gaming' laptop I've ever seen is huge and gets about an hour battery life, and nobody I've ever talked to (who owned one) had any problem with that.


Some people just want a computer they can move easily (between school and home, work and home, etc), not necessarily something that actually needs to be portable. I am actually the only person I know who actually carries their laptop around with them, most of the people I know leave it in one place or one room and never use it unplugged. For these people Llano will be just fine.
 

RyanGreener

Senior member
Nov 9, 2009
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I think Llano will be fine in the mobile space. Every 'gaming' laptop I've ever seen is huge and gets about an hour battery life, and nobody I've ever talked to (who owned one) had any problem with that.


Some people just want a computer they can move easily (between school and home, work and home, etc), not necessarily something that actually needs to be portable. I am actually the only person I know who actually carries their laptop around with them, most of the people I know leave it in one place or one room and never use it unplugged. For these people Llano will be just fine.

Yes, agreed. I barely bring my laptop anywhere. It's always in one place. I honestly wish I got a powerful laptop instead of a desktop sometimes since I live in 2 different places. It'd be nice to play SC2 and whatnot everywhere, instead of one place ;)
 

SolidSnake42

Senior member
Feb 9, 2010
261
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Llano uses a totally different socket referred to as FM1 and BD supports AM3+. Unfortunately, BD and Llano does not support current AM3 sockets.

So they finally decided to probably go with a whole new socket for these. Wow, to be honest, I'm actually happy on how long the AM2/AM2+/AM3 lasted. I mean, I currently have a 1156 socket i7-860, so I know about dead sockets. If only Intel actually stayed with a socket for more than a year or 2.
 

evolucion8

Platinum Member
Jun 17, 2005
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http://vr-zone.com/forums/1003849/amd-8-core-bulldozer-cpu-is-50-faster-than-core-i7-950.html

Donanimhaber.com published very first performance figure of Bulldozer based new generation AMD CPUs. Donanimhaber wrote that there is no MHz or model info about cpu but infos which is came from official AMD document, 8 core Bulldozer CPU is 50% faster than not only Core i7-950 but also Phenom II X6 1100T Black Edition.

More info;
http://www.donanimhaber.com/islemci...er-islemcisi-Core-i7-950den-50-daha-hizli.htm

Could it be possible?