Nifty stuff, it has to be said. AMD have announced their forthcoming "G-Series" embedded platform, with a Fusion APU (Bobcat single or dual core CPU of up to 1.6GHz, with integrated GPU - but we can't call them that any more - this is, of course, an 'Accelerated Processing Unit') at heart, supporting DX11 and housing 2 DIMMs of your finest 1066 DDR3 RAM.
This will hardly be an upgrade for your current PC, and should you care to ask "But will it play Crysis?" semi-ironically, you would not get an answer in the affirmative.
Notching it down to SFF (Small Form Factor) PC's, in-car boxes, and STBs (Set Top Boxes) - well, this could be a winner.
Full press release, and videos after the break.
Press Release:
AMD Delivers the World's First and Only APU for Embedded Systems
-The low-power AMD Embedded G-Series platform uniquely meets today's market trends, provides embedded market a brand new x86 core integrated with GPU and DirectX® 11 support-
SUNNYVALE, Calif. - Jan. 19, 2011 - AMD (NYSE: AMD) today announced immediate availability of the new AMD Embedded G-Series processor, the world's first and only Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) for embedded systems. The AMD Embedded G-Series, based on AMD Fusion technology, delivers a complete, full-featured embedded platform and incorporates the new low-power, x86 CPU based on the "Bobcat" core with a world-class DirectX® 11-capable GPU and parallel processing engine on a single piece of silicon.
This new class of accelerated processor combines more compute capabilities on a single die than any processor in the history of computing and represents opportunity for major advancements in embedded systems.
No solution with this level of advanced computing is available for the embedded market today.
Numerous embedded systems based on the AMD Embedded G-Series are available today or expected to launch in the coming weeks from companies including Advansus, Compulab, Congatec, Fujitsu, Haier, iEi, Kontron, Mitec, Quixant, Sintrones, Starnet, WebDT, Wyse, and many others.
Expected products include graphics-intensive solutions like digital signage, internet-ready set top boxes, mobile and desktop thin clients, casino gaming machines, point-of-sale kiosks, and small form factor PCs, as well as numerous single board computers (SBCs).
Shane Rau, research director of Computing and Storage Semiconductors at IDC, expects shipments of processors for embedded systems to increase at a double digit rate each year for the next five years.
This brand new platform continues AMD's mission to lower power, shrink physical component area, and reduce the costs of designing and producing x86 embedded systems.
"AMD's commitment is to ensure the game-changing technologies we develop for consumers and the enterprise are also available for the vast and growing embedded market," said Patrick Patla, corporate vice president and general manager, Server and Embedded Division, AMD. "Today, we have a record number of embedded launch partners. They are using the unique advancements of the AMD Embedded G-Series APU to develop a brand new generation of highly differentiated, energy-efficient, small form-factor embedded systems that can deliver the vivid visual experience expected in our always-connected world."
AMD has assessed many of the trends shaping today's embedded market, including the ever-pressing need for power efficiency and a small footprint, along with high CPU performance, full feature sets, and a strong graphics solution. The embedded market is one where differentiation can be critical to the long-term success of a design. The AMD Embedded G-Series APU provides a small, open and flexible platform where system designers can be creative yet still meet strict requirements around development cost.
Design and Development Support
- The open development ecosystem for the AMD Embedded G-Series platform includes multiple BIOS options, support for various Microsoft Windows®, Linux, and real-time operating systems, the integrated OpenCLTM programming environment, and source-level debug tools.
- AMD provides a dedicated design support team to help customers create distinctive new products and bring them to market quickly.
- Online resources include an embedded developer portal, AMD embedded product selection guide and customer-submitted details on available boards and complete systems.
AMD Embedded G-Series APU Specifications
- 1 or 2 x86 "Bobcat" CPU cores with 1MB L2 cache, 64-bit Floating Point Unit
- Up to 1.6GHz
- 9W and 18W TDP
- Array of SIMD Engines
- DirectX® 11 capable graphics
- Industry-leading 3D and graphics processing
- 3rd Generation Unified Video Decoder
- Power management features, including C6 and power gating
- DDR3 800-1066 memory with support for 64 bit channel and 2 DIMMs
- Ball Grid Array (BGA) package
- 890mm² physical footprint, including the AMD Fusion I/O Controller Hub
