Icrontic’s got an AMD Fusion board in…now what?

Nick Mertes 23 Mar, 2011 at 2:25pm ET Article published in Tech

Looks like an AMD Fusion system has arrived for evaluation thanks to SAPPHIRE. Since the APU is a fairly new concept, we’re looking for some input on test cases. The normal benchmark suite will be run, with a slight change for games: the maximum playable resolution is what will be sought. But are there any questions you’d like answered about performance or usage cases? We’re taking it to you guys, the community of modders, enthusiasts, and geeks, to find out what you’ll be looking for in this new class of hardware.

Things that cannot be done with this board:

Overclocking. The BIOS doesn’t have options for it.
Non-GPU PCIe devices. The x16 slot only works with GPUs. There is a Mini PCIe slot though, so that option is open.

We’ll do our best to address questions and test any usage scenarios that are brought up in the evaluation. Hit us with your best shot!

Comments

23 Mar 2011 ~ 11:40pm Cliff_Forster Power consumption, sound testing and temperate analysis are musts for this platform.

Also, this is supposed to excel at running GPU accelerated flash content and some content in the explorer 9 beta. HTML5 as well.

Harder to do, you could convince those bums at Intel to cough up one of their lousy i5 APU's so AMD can trounce them in the video benchmarks. i always enjoy that.
23 Mar 2011 ~ 11:46pm Thrax How does 1080p YouTube work?

Can you smoothly play a flash game like Bloons TD? It lags like crazy on an Atom/IGP netbook.

How well does it do on some of the experimental HTML5/CSS pages run on Chrome 11?

How does it handle 720p or 1080p DiVX/XViD or H.264?
23 Mar 2011 ~ 11:58pm NullenVoyd Definitely temperatures, power consumption and noise. And hell, throw a 6990 on there and see how it works... totally defeating the purpose of the system
24 Mar 2011 ~ 12:14am ardichoke I'd like to know how it works as a fashion accessory. If you could mount it on a chain and wear it around for a day, that'd be great. Make sure to post lots of pictures.
24 Mar 2011 ~ 12:19am Joshua @NullenVoyd If you wanted to go all out you'd use a 5990 instead of the 6990. Why hold back!
24 Mar 2011 ~ 12:27am PirateNinja I hop my Qs aren't dumb, I'm sort of out of the loop tech wise but if I were considering a purchase:
Noise is important for a living room, is the fan loud?
How is the sound given that we can't install an add-on sound card?
Does it make for a viable linux htpc?
Does it play nice with Bluray sans x16 gpu?
24 Mar 2011 ~ 12:38am Thrax

Gravite2090 wrote:

How is the sound given that we can't install an add-on sound card?
Does it make for a viable linux htpc?
Does it play nice with Bluray sans x16 gpu?

I can answer these for you:

1) The onboard GPU supports DTS TrueHD and DTS Master Audio bitstreaming over HDMI, so it can't get any better than that if you're using it for an HTPC.

2) Certainly, but I'd actually recommend Windows + Boxee/Myth/XBMC for DXVA, as VDPAU is only supported by NVIDIA. You lose the GPU acceleration with Linux, basically.

3) Yes. The on-die GPU uses AMD's UVD 3 decoder, which uses the GPU to handle nearly 100% of the decode duty for: XViD, DiVX, H.264, MPEG2 and VC-1. You'd be hard-pressed to find a common codec that isn't accelerated by the AMD E-350's on-die GPU. It's no slouch for an HTPC.
24 Mar 2011 ~ 1:14am Basil Does it support networking booting, wake on LAN, hotswappable HDD's and staggered spinup on HDD's.
24 Mar 2011 ~ 1:56am ardichoke Methinks you are mistaken about hardware acceleration and Linux Thrax. My HTPC is running a Radeon 5450 and my laptop is running a Radeon 5850 mobile. I just checked and the Hardware Acceleration option for Flash is available on both, just played a 1080p YouTube video and it played back at < 30% CPU usage.
24 Mar 2011 ~ 7:26am mertesn

Cliff_Forster wrote:

Harder to do, you could convince those bums at Intel to cough up one of their lousy i5 APU's so AMD can trounce them in the video benchmarks. i always enjoy that.

If you're referring to a Sandy Bridge i5, I have an i5 2500K and an i7 2600K for testing.
Of course, Intel didn't send them...had to buy 'em myself (worth it though). I have some Sandy Bridge boards for review that needed CPUs. Just waiting on the B3 replacements to do benchmarking.
24 Mar 2011 ~ 7:32am mertesn

NullenVoyd wrote:

Definitely temperatures, power consumption and noise. And hell, throw a 6990 on there and see how it works... totally defeating the purpose of the system

While I don't have a 6990, I do have a first-run 6950 (read: 6970 in disguise). This is part of the plan. I fully expect to find the limits of the PCIe slot here: the slot is physically x16, but it's only wired for x4.
24 Mar 2011 ~ 7:37am mertesn

ardichoke wrote:

I'd like to know how it works as a fashion accessory. If you could mount it on a chain and wear it around for a day, that'd be great. Make sure to post lots of pictures.

I'd imagine it'd be something like this:
24 Mar 2011 ~ 8:15am Cliff_Forster

mertesn wrote:

While I don't have a 6990, I do have a first-run 6950 (read: 6970 in disguise). This is part of the plan. I fully expect to find the limits of the PCIe slot here: the slot is physically x16, but it's only wired for x4.

I don't think there is any value in this. This is not meant to be a high end gaming platform, and everyone knows it. It is for HTPC, and mobile computing applications. Yes we want to know when that integrated GPU hits the wall. I've seen it play source titles great, I have seen it play some DX10 content at playable frame-rates at 720P. Its remarkable really for how little power is being drawn. Adding a dedicated GPU defeats the whole purpose of the platform, which is to remove the bottleneck that the bus causes. If someone requires the most discrete GPU power for high end games, they would consider another platform altogether.
24 Mar 2011 ~ 8:53am mertesn

Cliff_Forster wrote:

I don't think there is any value in this. This is not meant to be a high end gaming platform, and everyone knows it. It is for HTPC, and mobile computing applications. Yes we want to know when that integrated GPU hits the wall. I've seen it play source titles great, I have seen it play some DX10 content at playable frame-rates at 720P. Its remarkable really for how little power is being drawn. Adding a dedicated GPU defeats the whole purpose of the platform, which is to remove the bottleneck that the bus causes. If someone requires the most discrete GPU power for high end games, they would consider another platform altogether.

Yes, but you know someone is going to want to do it. I have the capability to test it, so why not? Remember, not everyone sees value the same way you do. That's why Intel is still around
24 Mar 2011 ~ 10:08am Thrax

ardichoke wrote:

Methinks you are mistaken about hardware acceleration and Linux Thrax. My HTPC is running a Radeon 5450 and my laptop is running a Radeon 5850 mobile. I just checked and the Hardware Acceleration option for Flash is available on both, just played a 1080p YouTube video and it played back at < 30% CPU usage.

That is not VDPAU. I am not mistaken.
24 Mar 2011 ~ 10:45am Cliff_Forster

mertesn wrote:

Yes, but you know someone is going to want to do it. I have the capability to test it, so why not? Remember, not everyone sees value the same way you do. That's why Intel is still around

Would Car and Driver magazine test a Chevy Cobalt with a trubo charger?
24 Mar 2011 ~ 11:01am mertesn

Cliff_Forster wrote:

Would Car and Driver magazine test a Chevy Cobalt with a trubo charger?

If it's an option. I have a friend that put a turbo on his Tercel. Your point?
24 Mar 2011 ~ 11:18am Thrax Chevy Cobalt comes from the factory with a turbo on select models.
24 Mar 2011 ~ 11:18am Cliff_Forster

mertesn wrote:

If it's an option. I have a friend that put a turbo on his Tercel. Your point?

It ignores the entire purpose of the platform. Its just not built for that. Just because you can does not mean you should.

Slapping a high end graphics card on it, and saying, look how bottlenecked it is, well its just going to confuse some of your less educated readers as to what the value of the platform is. I'll know, you will know, most people here will but to a passerby the maybe is just learning hardware, your going to loose him in a benchmark that has no pertinent value to the platform. This platform was not developed to couple with high end discrete graphics cards, its just not intended to fill that market segment.

I'd rather you take that time and energy throwing everything you can at the APU, that is the real star of this package.
24 Mar 2011 ~ 11:25am MAGIC

Cliff_Forster wrote:

It ignores the entire purpose of the platform. Its just not built for that. Just because you can does not mean you should.

Slapping a high end graphics card on it, and saying, look how bottlenecked it is, well its just going to confuse some of your less educated readers as to what the value of the platform is. I'll know, you will know, most people here will but to a passerby the maybe is just learning hardware, your going to loose him in a benchmark that has no pertinent value to the platform. This platform was not developed to couple with high end discrete graphics cards, its just not intended to fill that market segment.

I'd rather you take that time and energy throwing everything you can at the APU, that is the real star of this package.

Don't put a slot on there if you don't intend for it to be filled.
24 Mar 2011 ~ 11:26am mertesn

Cliff_Forster wrote:

It ignores the entire purpose of the platform. Its just not built for that. Just because you can does not mean you should.

Slapping a high end graphics card on it, and saying, look how bottlenecked it is, well its just going to confuse some of your less educated readers as to what the value of the platform is. I'll know, you will know, most people here will but to a passerby the maybe is just learning hardware, your going to loose him in a benchmark that has no pertinent value to the platform. This platform was not developed to couple with high end discrete graphics cards, its just not intended to fill that market segment.

I'd rather you take that time and energy throwing everything you can at the APU, that is the real star of this package.

I understand what you're getting at, but I disagree. It's something I've been asked by a community member to investigate. I'm curious as to what happens as well. It's getting done. Besides, it's not like I'm going to make it sound like this is some high-end replacement system. Anyone who pulls that recommendation out is putting words in my mouth...unless the results indicate its suitability as a high-end system. Then I'd say something.
24 Mar 2011 ~ 11:33am Cliff_Forster So, you are going to put it on a chain and dance with it like your Flava Flav while you are at it? A community member asked for that as well.
24 Mar 2011 ~ 11:34am Thrax I, for one, would like to see that.
24 Mar 2011 ~ 11:35am mertesn

Cliff_Forster wrote:

So, you are going to put it on a chain and dance with it like your Flava Flav while you are at it? A community member asked for that as well.

Didn't say I wouldn't, now did I?
24 Mar 2011 ~ 11:41am ardichoke

Thrax wrote:

That is not VDPAU. I am not mistaken.

There's other hardware acceleration options besides VDPAU. Since VDPAU is an Nvidia technology (like PhysX) of course Radeon wouldn't support it. It still does hardware acceleration though.
24 Mar 2011 ~ 11:46am Cliff_Forster I wonder how it runs Windows XP with IE6. Tim needs to know, and it can be done, so.....
24 Mar 2011 ~ 11:48am shwaip Does it have wireless built into the motherboard? If not, could you try out a common minipcie n board to see if it works?

ed: Will it run crysis?
24 Mar 2011 ~ 11:55am mertesn

shwaip wrote:

Does it have wireless built into the motherboard?

Bluetooth, but not WiFi.

shwaip wrote:

If not, could you try out a common minipcie n board to see if it works?

I have an 802.11g card from my netbook. I will test it.

shwaip wrote:

ed: Will it run crysis?

That question will be answered.
24 Mar 2011 ~ 12:51pm Zuntar

Cliff_Forster wrote:

................always enjoy that.

I saw what you did here ^ & there V.

Cliff_Forster wrote:

I wonder how it runs Windows XP with IE6. Tim needs to know, and it can be done, so.....
24 Mar 2011 ~ 5:50pm Cliff_Forster <iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/47JtQ6HE79A" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
24 Mar 2011 ~ 6:57pm NullenVoyd

mertesn wrote:

While I don't have a 6990, I do have a first-run 6950 (read: 6970 in disguise). This is part of the plan. I fully expect to find the limits of the PCIe slot here: the slot is physically x16, but it's only wired for x4.

Hah, ok, I was just thinking it would make for a funny photo of this tiny board and this huge card, but yea, do it. And wired for x4?? What the frog is up with that?

Also, more seriously, I think the 'fashion accessory' line of thinking is very valid, but lets not stop there. We could finally wear our own personal Dr. Theopolis!!(win)!!
24 Mar 2011 ~ 7:05pm Thrax PCIe x16 can accept cards of any other PCIe bandwidth. For example, a PCIe x1 card will fit and work just fine in a PCIe x16 slot. When space is a concern, it's the best type of slot to put on the board, regardless of wiring to the platform controller.
25 Mar 2011 ~ 11:36am GHoosdum This is relevant to my interests. I want to see how this performs, because I'm considering replacing my HP Mini 311 with a Lenovo X120E with the E-350 APU.
25 Mar 2011 ~ 11:38am Thrax I'm currently debating an Asus EeePC 1215B or an MSI Wind U270. :/ Can't decide.
25 Mar 2011 ~ 12:28pm ardichoke Asus.
MSI's laptop support sucks. If you ever have a hardware problem, you'll have to jump through hoops (and probably send it in multiple times) to get it fixed... assuming they ever actually fix it.
/me grumbles.
25 Mar 2011 ~ 3:12pm mertesn

ardichoke wrote:

Asus.
MSI's laptop support sucks. If you ever have a hardware problem, you'll have to jump through hoops (and probably send it in multiple times) to get it fixed... assuming they ever actually fix it.
* ardichoke grumbles.

I'm having the same problem with an Asus laptop.
25 Mar 2011 ~ 3:20pm Thrax All manufacturers have given someone, somewhere, a hard time. I don't put stock into these stories any more.
25 Mar 2011 ~ 3:25pm primesuspect Some manufacturers have more of these stories than others. Some, many more.
25 Mar 2011 ~ 3:33pm ardichoke

primesuspect wrote:

Some manufacturers have more of these stories than others. Some, many more.

Thus why I tell mine, if everyone said "oh, my story is just anecdotal evidence I won't bother" then we'd never know which companies provided poor support on a regular basis.
25 Mar 2011 ~ 3:51pm Winfrey I want to know if this new AMD Fusion board will blend.
25 Mar 2011 ~ 3:54pm mertesn

Winfrey wrote:

I want to know if this new AMD Fusion board will blend.

Where do you think this comes from?
25 Mar 2011 ~ 3:55pm Winfrey God's only begotten son?
25 Mar 2011 ~ 4:10pm Thrax

primesuspect wrote:

Some manufacturers have more of these stories than others. Some, many more.

Neither of which MSI or ASUS qualify for.
25 Mar 2011 ~ 5:24pm GHoosdum What I really want out of all this is a FREE ASUS LAPTOP.
25 Mar 2011 ~ 5:56pm QuadWhore I second the free asus laptop. FOR EVERYONE!
28 Mar 2011 ~ 12:30pm allenpan i am more intreseted for the embedded system application, can you test the "pure" CPU performance compare to VIA NANO/NANO X2 and Intel ATOMs?

also the GPGPU performce in MATLAB or any math/science programs? in compare using NV's CUDA
28 Mar 2011 ~ 2:48pm Basil

allenpan wrote:

can you test the "pure" CPU performance compare to VIA NANO/NANO X2 and Intel ATOMs?

I am also interested in this (especially the nanos).

If you want I can bench a 1.3GHz Athlon II X2 Neo N36L for a comparision.
28 Mar 2011 ~ 3:24pm GHoosdum CPU load with a 5-way Skype conference call running. On my Atom netbook, Skype alone puts the CPU under a 30-40% load. I'm interested to see if the Zacate platform can multitask better; for example, I'd like to run a Skype call and play a game at the same time. What a concept!
28 Mar 2011 ~ 6:49pm mertesn

GHoosdum wrote:

CPU load with a 5-way Skype conference call running. On my Atom netbook, Skype alone puts the CPU under a 30-40% load. I'm interested to see if the Zacate platform can multitask better; for example, I'd like to run a Skype call and play a game at the same time. What a concept!

Shouldn't be a problem. When you say 5-way conference call, is the netbook acting as host (everyone calls in)? I'm not entirely sure how Skype works for things like that.
28 Mar 2011 ~ 6:51pm mertesn

allenpan wrote:

i am more intreseted for the embedded system application, can you test the "pure" CPU performance compare to VIA NANO/NANO X2 and Intel ATOMs?

also the GPGPU performce in MATLAB or any math/science programs? in compare using NV's CUDA

I don't have MATLAB, but I am doing some searching for programs to test this. I've also got an 8800GT that can be plugged in to test. If you have software suggestions (preferably ones that don't cost a lot) I'd love to hear them.
28 Mar 2011 ~ 6:52pm primesuspect No, his netbook is not acting as host
28 Mar 2011 ~ 6:52pm mertesn

primesuspect wrote:

No, his netbook is not acting as host

Thanks for the clarification.
29 Mar 2011 ~ 9:18am GHoosdum I shudder at the thought of what our calls would sound like if my netbook were the host.
29 Mar 2011 ~ 9:20am allenpan also LTspice and cadence, if is possible... just torrent them for testing?
29 Mar 2011 ~ 9:22am allenpan i am mostly interested in engineering/math software, i wonder if apu can replacemy aging c2d
29 Mar 2011 ~ 10:01am mertesn

allenpan wrote:

also LTspice and cadence, if is possible... just torrent them for testing?

If they're free to use, then fine. I will not commit copyright infringement "for testing purposes".
29 Mar 2011 ~ 10:02am allenpan LTspice is free and MATLAB you can dl academic edition, aka trial version
29 Mar 2011 ~ 1:49pm shwaip What do you want him to test with them? It's not like he can evaluate how well they will perform on the tasks you do.

Is there any reason you want him to test the performance on those programs, rather than looking at fpu/alu scores?
30 Mar 2011 ~ 2:24pm Robert Does that x16 PCIe slot work with the Ceton InfiniTV 4 cablecard tuner?
30 Mar 2011 ~ 5:19pm Butters

Robert wrote:

Does that x16 PCIe slot work with the Ceton InfiniTV 4 cablecard tuner?

I don't think so because the x16 PCIe slot is only for Graphic cards. Looks like the InfiniTV 4-USB would be the only option if sticking with Ceton.
30 Mar 2011 ~ 5:31pm GHoosdum If you're looking for a solution that would allow for additional expansion via internal cards, check out the e-350 boards that follow the mATX form factor.
30 Mar 2011 ~ 5:48pm mertesn

Robert wrote:

Does that x16 PCIe slot work with the Ceton InfiniTV 4 cablecard tuner?

I doubt it. I'm waiting on some parts to arrive to test the board, but the manual states the PCIe slot is only for a video card. It may very well be that anything occupying the slot will bypass the onboard graphics for the APU. I don't personally have a PCIe tuner, but I'll ask around to see if something is available.