AMD Announces Second-Generation A-Series Desktop APUs

[btarunr]

AMD announced the second-generation A-Series desktop APU lineup, based on the "Trinity" silicon. The silicon combines four x86-64 cores spread across two "Piledriver" micro-architecture modules, with a Radeon HD 7000 series graphics core with 384 VLIW4 stream processors, an integrated northbridge, and a dual-channel DDR3-1866 MHz integrated memory controller. Various models are carved out in the series by handling the numbers of CPU cores and stream processors.

The company kicked off the lineup with two A10-5000 series quad-core models, which are fully-loaded with all components enabled. These are followed by two A8-5000 series models, which have four x86-64 cores, but just 256 stream processors for the GPU component. Just behind is the A6-5000 series dual-core APUs with 192 stream processors. Trailing the pack is the A4-5000 series dual-core APUs with 128 stream processors. Model numbers and specifications are tabled below. Prices range between $70 - $140.



View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Melvis]

Hmmm very interesting, i can see myself building many PC's for customers using these CPU/GPU's

A10-5700 i like.

 

[stinger608]

"with a Radeon HD 7000 series graphics core.........." Now is that a 7550 or something like a 7850? It will be interesting to see what the reviews of these chips show.

 

[Nordic]

I have some friends wanting me to build them some low-lowish gaming rigs in the next few months. If these perform well enough, I will use them.

The aim is starcraft 2 at high settings.

 

[HumanSmoke]

"with a Radeon HD 7000 series graphics core.........." Now is that a 7550 or something like a 7850?

Why not just click the third picture and look at the second line in the comparison ?

 

[Nihilus]

The 5800k will be a solid seller if under $150. This Apu should have about 75% of the graphics power of a 7750. Remember that the HD 7750 is currently the MOST POWERFUL discrete low profile gpu today. Paired with a small SSD and storage HDD, these will make some impressive media PCs for around $500.

 

[TRWOV]

Now release some slim ITX boards so I can use them to build me an AIO

 

[largon]

Idle power consumption is awesome. But load looks VERY bad.
2 module, 4 threaded Trinity consuming more than a 4 core Llano. Though, increased graphics muscle equals to part of the increase...

Piledriver will likely follow this pattern. And that's just sad for AMD.

 

[NHKS]

"with a Radeon HD 7000 series graphics core.........." Now is that a 7550 or something like a 7850? It will be interesting to see what the reviews of these chips show.

pic of specs shows HD 7660D (384 cores) is the max available now.. http://www.techpowerup.com/img/12-09-26/143a.jpg

these reviews should give a fair idea on performance (until W1zz posts his') :
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/2043/1/
http://www.anandtech.com/print/6332
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/graphics/print/amd-trinity-graphics.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/review_print.php?p1=3304

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EDIT: Thanks to Dave, here is the preview from TPU : http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AMD/FM2_APU_Preview/

 

[glitch]

why the single module apus have 1mb cache? it supposed to be 2 mb not 1...

 

[Dent1]

The 5800k will be a solid seller if under $150.

Maybe even $400+. Core i7-3xxxxK series is $300 and is significantly slower in gaming and HTPC operation. AMD have a niche product on their hands.

 

[HumanSmoke]

Maybe even $400+. Core i7-3xxxxK series is $300 and is significantly slower in gaming and HTPC operation. AMD have a niche product on their hands.

I wouldn't overthink it too much.
Core i3 2130 + HD 7770 = $240
...and at least you've got some kind of shot at gaming at 1080p as well watching video at that res.

 

[Dent1]

I wouldn't overthink it too much.
Core i3 2130 + HD 7770 = $240
...and at least you've got some kind of shot at gaming at 1080p as well watching video at that res.

If that's your way of thinking Intel should scrap the i7 37xxx series entirely?

For people whom don't want a dedicated video card it seems there is no competition against the desktop Trinity.

Like you can get the A6-5400K Trinity and dedicated 7770 for $201, which is a better deal than the i3 solution you mention above.

 

[micropage7]

interesting when they roll out just 4 cores, not like they used to be
maybe AMD had a special recipe to show their 4 cores that has more power

 

[Fourstaff]

For people whom don't want a dedicated video card it seems there is no competition against the desktop Trinity.

That is a very niche market you are targeting, I cannot think of a situation when you would choose not to use a graphics card other than space, and space is not a premium most of the time. It would be great in a laptop/mobile PC, but given the horrendous power consumption values I have serious doubts about that too.

 

[Frick]

That is a very niche market you are targeting, I cannot think of a situation when you would choose not to use a graphics card other than space, and space is not a premium most of the time. It would be great in a laptop/mobile PC, but given the horrendous power consumption values I have serious doubts about that too.

i'm thinking modders. this on the itx platform would be awesome, many possibilities for tiny systems. imagine this on a nano-itx board.. i'd wet my pants if someone made it.

 

[Fourstaff]

If they can make something like this, I am good!

 

[3870x2]

If they can make something like this, I am good!

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kMxEVNBQuZI/T6wIZYMEqZI/AAAAAAAABWs/Cj5AWobX0qc/s1600/intel's+NUC.jpg

What is that?

 

[Octavean]

What is that?

That is a small form factor Intel Core i3 based system. Its graphics subsystem wont be comparable though.
http://pcper.com/news/General-Tech/Small-Form-Factor-Intel-NUC-PCs-coming-October-under-400

 

[NHKS]

^ that's Intel's standard form factor - NUC(next unit of computing) - for smaller than mITX HTPC cases.. it was demoed first at IDF 2012 earlier this month - a 4 x 4 inch computer that packs an Intel Core i3-3xxx processor, mSATA port, two memory slots(SO-DIMM), 3 USB ports, HDMI, and Ethernet for $399.

 

[UbErN00b]

"with a Radeon HD 7000 series graphics core.........." Now is that a 7550 or something like a 7850? It will be interesting to see what the reviews of these chips show.

It's probably around a 7550 or slightly lower based on 384 stream processors

 

[XNine]

Would make for a lovely, compact HTPC build or even a do-only-normal-operations desktop for people like my girlfriend who don't game. Definitely keeping my eye on this.

 

[alwayssts]

256sp needs 2/3 the bandwidth of 384sp, obviously. This puts the mix at a much more realistic level with the cpu. Rounding the edges and saying the 384sp K model is ~20% faster than the 256sp model at stock, you can kind of see what you have to play with, considering the specs show the that the former has 60% more resources. Hello bandwidth constraints at 1866mhz.

Realistically people may use 2400mhz memory on these systems, and that will have a huge tangible benefit for 384sp models at stock, but if these things really can reach 1ghz plus on the gpu, and also you factor in needing a little more bandwidth if you clock the cpu up to 20-25 faster...yeah. I think a sound bet for a setup with these is a 5600k, a cheap mobo, and cheap-but-decent memory rated for 2133mhz. That or accept what you get with bandwidth constraints with 384sp and 2400mhz+ memory, which granted probably wouldn't cost much more given memory prices, and may perform quite a bit better.

Either way, not too bad if someone takes the time to mess with it, especially if crossfired with a 6670. If the 8000 series brings a comparable tiny cheap gpu with similar core counts, it could potentially be even be a little better. Truthfully not that terrible at all when you consider what they'll end up being capable of vs. the prices both at entry and with expandability. I'm impressed. This is a little bit of resurgence of the old AMD and old ATi combined into one...literally and figuratively.

 

[chimonow]

Most don't need this much power!

This is where AMD and most Micro Processor company's make their income! Look at the average family for instance, They are only going to be using Microsoft word, Internet, flash based games, Watching movies, listening to music... I mean the list goes on but these applications aren't that demanding.. So to have just the right mixture of gpu and cpu performance is the perfect balance for most people.. Honestly this is a bit much for even the average person. I believe most moms, dads, older people and children would be fine with a dual core atom or bobcat cpu. For the average consensus the AMD APU is more than enough to handle everyday tasks! We are not all gamers! That's where AMD fills in the loop, Providing a more affordable and more powerful everyday PC.

 

[Super XP]

Would these APU's make for good servers?