AMD today announced the introduction of its AM1 platform featuring the AMD quad-core and dual-core "Kabini" APU into the component channel for system builders. Combined with motherboards from leading manufacturers, the new AM1 platform will deliver award-winning Graphics Core Next (GCN) architecture and AMD "Jaguar" CPU cores, and bear the AMD Athlon and AMD Sempron APU brands. This will create an ecosystem of flexible and upgradable platforms at compelling price points that also feature USB 3.0 and SATA 6 Gb/s support, and microATX and miniITX motherboards for sleek and power-efficient small form factor PCs. 

Availability of "Kabini" desktops and components are slated to be on-shelf in select regions beginning early April, with global availability expected on April 9.

"AMD continues our APU technology leadership by introducing the AM1 platform with 'Socketed Kabini', an APU designed for the mainstream market," said Bernd Lienhard, corporate vice president and general manager, Client Business Unit, AMD. "The AM1 platform gives us a great opportunity to deliver a flexible infrastructure environment, and provides a multitude of options for consumers and system builders looking for upgradeability packed into an extremely affordable solution."

"Socketed Kabini" allows for exceptional productivity, web browsing, and compute acceleration for the larger mainstream, emerging markets looking for outstanding value and performance at low power. 

The AMD AM1 platform delivers balanced computing with DirectX 11.2 and Windows 8.1 support to mainstream markets. In addition, motherboard manufacturers including, ASRock, ASUS, BIOSTAR, ECS, Gigabyte and MSI are poised to deliver a range of next- generation desktop motherboards based on socket FS1b. These motherboards will support the latest specifications of native USB 3.0 and SATA 6 Gb/s for AMD Athlon and Sempron-series APUs for the AM1 platform.