socket FM1

[rwest]

I saw in another thread where jdeb crossfired a 6670 using this new setup from AMD. From a little bit of searching it seems to be the more near the design for mainstream users and the AM3+ will be the enthusiastic line.

What I'm kinda curious about is, if using a multi core processor and already crossfiring with something like a 6670 could it be crossfored with some thing like this?
Newegg.com - PowerColor AX6870X2 2GBD5-2DHG Radeon HD 6870 x2 2GB 2 X 256bit (256bit) GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity

Of course at this point I don't believe we're in the mainstream line! Is it possible we may be headed that way? If so, wont this type of architecture leave the discrete video cards in the dust?

[David M]

You can crossfire many different AMD cards but they will run at the slower of the two.

[rwest]

The Llano APU integrates a quad-core x86-64 processor with a DirectX 11 compliant AMD Radeon HD 6000 series graphics core (with 400+ stream processors, last we heard); a dual-channel DDR3 memory controller, and a PCI-Express 2.0 hub.
From this page:
AMD FM1 Socket, Package Pictured | techPowerUp

So if I understand it right, any 6000 series card should crossfire with the APU. Maybe?

[jdeb]

AMD A8-3850 Review: Llano Rocks Entry-Level Desktops : Meet AMD

It is not really addressing the gamer or enthusiast market . The 6870 is going to be for a mainstream gamer.

It really is a nice fit for the entry level desktop user with improved graphics on a budget. The APU is really impressive for that home user who want a nice 3D experience, low level gaming, and responsive multitasking. I like it because it gives an entry level desktop or HTPC room for upgrade-ability at a very affordable price.

[rwest]

Good article jdeb. So if I followed along well enough, the embedded graphics core of the 3850 APU is not much faster than that of a HD6570? Therefore it can't keep up with a faster card?

[Khalil]

That is not how Crossfire works, it is not SLI, with Crossfire you have a main card and a supporting card.
If you use a better card than what the APU has the APU becomes the supporting graphics chip. If you use an equivelant or lesser card than what the APU can do then the lesser card will become the supporting chip in the duo.
So effectively you can put in a 6970 in a machine with the APU and the APU's graphics will support the 6970

[brokenwing]

That was a great article, thanks. Since im bulding my first computer, that really help me understand the architecture behind the fm1 chipset.