Just wondering about the differences between the phenom and Llano

[JamesAnderson]

What are the differences between the Llano and the Phenom
I've just ordered a phenom II 955 x4 for £83.
Is the llano better, what are the differences, I've seen somewhere that it has a graphics card, good for gaming?

Thanks

 

[Reaper 392]

the only apreciable difference is the on board graphics. the llano processors have incredible onboard graphics, whereas the phenom uses whatever onboard graphics that comes with the motherboard, which is WAY worse than the llano's.

if you have a seperate graphics card then there is very little reason to get the llano over the phenom

 

[DragonQ]

In terms of CPU performance they're essentially identical (despite the Llano not having L3 cache). However, the Llano looks like it overclocks higher and easier.

The Phenom II has no integrated graphics processor (IGP), whereas the Llano has a fantastic IGP (even compared to Intel's HD 3000 graphics found in their high-end Sandy Bridge CPUs). Even if you have a separate GPU, you can use both in a hybrid CrossFire thingy, although I suspect this only works with AMD GPUs and not nVidia ones.

Phenom IIs require an AM3/AM3+ motherboard. If you get an AM3+ one, you'll have an upgrade path to 6 and 8 core Zambezi (Bulldozer) CPUs. Llano requires socket FM1 so doesn't have this upgrade path. Future Llano chips will include Bulldozer cores rather than beefed-up Athlon II ones, which'll be faster, but Llano will probably always have less cores than Zambezi.

 

[JamesAnderson]

so say I had the llano, would it be able to play the latest games?

*regret seeps in*

 

[Reaper 392]

both will be just fine for playing the latest games. the phenom will need a seperate graphics card though to be any good with them but the llano can play games at resonable graphics without

 

[JamesAnderson]

haha just seen the mobo prices are about £80 with the processor will be about £170
Might as well buy a good gfx for £60

Thanks anyway!