AMD is said to be planning the first unlocked processor models in the AMD A series, also known as Llano. We have earlier reported on the difficulties with overclocking AMD’s otherwise very nice mid-range processors and the problems have been related to bus overclocking. AMD A8-3870K and A6-3670K will be the first models that works around this with unlocked multipliers.
AMD A8-3870K and A6-3670K will not only have free settings for the multiplier for bus-free overclocking, the new APUs will also be the flagships of each respective category. AMD A8-3870K will be the first Llano circuits to reach 3.0 GHz and it does it with four CPU cores and a powerful GPU with 400 Radeon cores. The GPU is still set to 600 MHz, as the TDP is set to 100 watt.
AMD A6-3670K in turn raise the clock frequency from A6-3650 to 2.7 GHz, while the GPU and TDP is maintained from the base model.
| Model | A8-3870K | A8-3850 | A6-3670K | A6-3650 |
| Code name |
Beavercreek | Beavercreek | Beavercreek | Beavercreek |
| Cores | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Unlocked multiplier |
Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Frekvens | 3.0 GHz | 2.9 GHz | 2.7 GHz | 2.6 GHz |
| Turbo | – | – | – | – |
| L2 cache | 4 x 1 MB | 4 x 1 MB | 4 x 1 MB | 4 x 1 MB |
| Graphics | HD 6550D | HD 6550D | HD 6550D | HD 6550D |
| Radeon cores | 400 | 400 | 320 | 320 |
| Frequency (GPU) | 600 MHz | 600 MHz | 443 MHz | 443 MHz |
| Memory support |
1866 MHz | 1866 MHz | 1866 MHz | 1866 MHz |
| TDP | 100W | 100W | 100W | 100W |
| Socket | FM1 | FM1 | FM1 | FM1 |
| Launch date |
Q4 | Out now | Q4 | Out now |
According to information posted by X-bit Labs both processors will launch in Q4 and as expected they will be geared toward more demanding users. Since AMD’s Llano architecture have a whole lot of performance to gain when overclocking it is sad that the platform has serious problems with higher bus frequencies. This should not be a problem with the new K models where both USB 3.0 and SATA controller if the AMD A75 chipset can work at their stock frequency.
How this affects the GPU overclocking we don’t know, but hopefully the K models will improve also this in some way.
If the information is correct AMD will jump onto Intel’s product scheme with a K at the end for the unlocked circuits. This will make it easier for consumers, but what Intel’s thinks about it is unclear.
Even if AMD’s new K models from the Llano family should add some well needed peak performance to the Socket FM1 platform most are still waiting for the real enthusiast platform from AMD. Its Bulldozer architecture is delayed until October and question is which of these will arrive first. AMD A8-3870K and A6-3670K will launch in Q4, but exactly when and to what price is still foggy.
