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At present, only MicroStar International offers platforms for AMD processors with USB 3.1 type-A connectors. By contrast, virtually all leading makers of motherboards now sell mainboards for current-generation Intel processors with the new bus. Apparently, Advanced Micro Devices wants to change that.
In a bid to catch up with Intel Corp. when it comes to platform features, Advanced Micro Devices plans to offer its partners a USB 3.1 controller to install it on mainboards designed for its processors. While the chip will carry AMD brand, it will be a rebadged version of Asmedia’s USB 3.1 controller that has been available for some time.
AMD intends to sell its partners its AMDUA3102A USB 3.1 controller along with its chipsets, reports BenchLife. The chip is a rebadged version of Asmedia’s ASM1142 host controller used by numerous makers of mainboards. The solution will cost $4 per unit and all volume discounts for AMD’s partners will apply.
Selling Asmedia’s controller will likely help AMD to slightly increase its revenues.
Intel recently introduced its code-named “Alpine Ridge” controller that enables USB 3.1 and Thunderbolt 3 interfaces.
AMD did not comment on the news-story.
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KitGuru Says: Last year AMD reportedly signed an agreement with Asmedia over development of core-logic sets. Apparently, for now AMD will only offer rebranded chips by Asmedia, not exclusive chipsets developed for Advanced Micro Devices.
Good stuff. I always thought that AMD should sell more volume products to shore up its revenues. This, the R9 Ram and R7 SSD’s are a good step. Hell, I’d even sell cooling fans thermal paste and stuff. Maybe not aftermarket CPU coolers though, because then they’d be accused of intentionally gimping their stock fans.
Hopefully Zen is a beast too, then that’d really make them come back swinging. We need a strong AMD, in both markets. Here’s hoping.
I don’t understand why this is so late coming. AMD hasn’t been against selling rebrands for awhile. Seems like this logical step could have been made a bit back, they don’t have native USB 3 in their own controllers afterall. Good on them though, hoping for a little more forward next time.
the A68 hubs have 2 USB3.0 and A75 to A88X have 4, so they don’t use any extra chips unless the board manufacturer wants more.
However USB3.1 is only very new and I wouldn’t expect AMD to use it in any new hubs for some time, maturity reasons. Examples of early adoption faults are the early AsMedia USB3.0 controllers and intel integrated USB3.0 controllers, both of which tend to fail easily when stressed.
That’s my bad, I was still only thinking of the AM socket chipsets. I forgot that the APU chipsets had native USB 3. Good point though, they weren’t the greatest initial controllers. I haven’t had much experiencing stressing them but I’ve never really had too many issues with my USB ports.
The AsMedia 3.0 controllers are good for the most part, but as soon as you try to use something bandwidth-heavy, like an eye tracker, either the device or controller simply drops out. Though I’m yet to use an SSD or high perf flash drive on any of mine but I would expect them to run slower than they should.
The intel ones though, only experience I’ve gotten is they simply don’t function correctly at all. Install the drivers and either devices dont get detected, drop out when accessed or the system BSOD’s at any point in time…
Though I don’t remember what the specific chipsets were that were like that, and they’re likely fixed by now…