AMD Trinity A-Series APU review

[rpm]

AMD Trinity A-Series APU review

AMD has launched their latest CPU/GPU combo chipset. We put it through it’s paces

 

[CataclysmZA]

Comparing a chip that costs around R1500 and is a dual-module quad-core CPU with onboard graphics to a R3000-odd six-core processor based on AMD's K10 architecture seems a little idiotic, don't you think? The A10 should have received a higher gaming and graphics score because its miles away from what Intel can muster with its integrated graphics compared to VLIW4 in Trinity, which is built for gaming at 720p with medium details.

There's no gaming benchies, no power consumption results and nothing in the line of overclocking to see how much it would take for Trinity with discrete graphics to match the performance of the K10 architecture. I know MyBB doesn't have much space for reviews due to their in-house rules but come on - this could have been done much better.

 

[crysis]

Comparing a chip that costs around R1500 and is a dual-module quad-core CPU with onboard graphics to a R3000-odd six-core processor based on AMD's K10 architecture seems a little idiotic, don't you think? The A10 should have received a higher gaming and graphics score because its miles away from what Intel can muster with its integrated graphics compared to VLIW4 in Trinity, which is built for gaming at 720p with medium details.

There's no gaming benchies, no power consumption results and nothing in the line of overclocking to see how much it would take for Trinity with discrete graphics to match the performance of the K10 architecture. I know MyBB doesn't have much space for reviews due to their in-house rules but come on - this could have been done much better.

I agree, Quintin van Rooyen, try comparing apples with apples next time. This CPU goes up against the likes of intel i3's, and wipes the floor in graphics performance compared to those.

 

[Pada]

I found this review pretty odd, seeing that most other places did their review like almost 2 months ago!

Many places didn't really benchmark the graphics at all, which let me believe that those sites favour Intel.

When you install a dedicated graphics card, then the Intel Ivy Bridge i3 outperforms this AMD CPU

 

[kaaskop]

I found this review pretty odd, seeing that most other places did their review like almost 2 months ago!

Many places didn't really benchmark the graphics at all, which let me believe that those sites favour Intel.

When you install a dedicated graphics card, then the Intel Ivy Bridge i3 outperforms this AMD CPU

True.

5 For graphics?

Quintin van Rooyen is a lifelong technophile and IT tinkerer.

Well i am not a tinkerer but this guy doesn't know what hes talking about. Compared to what is this a 5 score? It should be 10 cause there's nothing else with integrated graphics on chip that comes close.

Why would anyone use something like this with a dedicated graphics card? It defeats the purpose.

 

[crysis]

True.

5 For graphics?



Well i am not a tinkerer but this guy doesn't know what hes talking about. Compared to what is this a 5 score? It should be 10 cause there's nothing else with integrated graphics on chip that comes close.

Why would anyone use something like this with a dedicated graphics card? It defeats the purpose.

Do you know if installing a dedicated graphics card will turn it into a crossfire setup? (graphics card + onchip graphics)

 

[Shayd]

The dual graphics setup only works with the low end 6 series cards.

I have to agree, this review is sadly lacking.

With the A10 you are able to jam games at 720p quite comfortably without a graphics card added in. Have been seriously considering building a htpc with one for light gaming.

 

[kaaskop]

Do you know if installing a dedicated graphics card will turn it into a crossfire setup? (graphics card + onchip graphics)

Another feature that the A85X adds to the table is the ability to run two discrete GPUs in a CrossFire configuration. You can run a single discrete card at x16 or two at x8. Of course, the socket FM2 APUs already come with a decent GPU on-die. If you need something more powerful, it would probably be easier to buy a discrete Radeon HD 6000 or 7000 series GPU and pair in CrossFireX with the on-die GPU.

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.p...w&id=711&Itemid=99999999&limit=1&limitstart=3

Dunno which 6000 and 7000 series gpu's it is.

As being said to crossfire it isn't worth the money as you can have better performance with the Pentium g850/g860 cpu's for probably the same money.

 

[Messugga]

This thing in a sleek HTPC chassis with something like a XBox controller and XBMC would make for an excellent HTPC and MAME system. I was tempted to do one with the previous generation of this board and may just opt for this one instead, time permitting.

 

[CataclysmZA]

Do you know if installing a dedicated graphics card will turn it into a crossfire setup? (graphics card + onchip graphics)

It will, but its limited to only a few models:

If you go above the maximum spec for any of the combinations, the discrete graphics takes over the grunt work and doesn't work in tandem with the iGPU. The Trinity chips won't work with any of the GCN chips in the new HD7000 series because the GPU on-board Trinity still uses AMD's VLIW4 architecture. Steamroller-based APUs, due next year, will use the new HD8000 family and then we'll see some pretty impressive stuff.

 

[quintinza]

Comparing a chip that costs around R1500 and is a dual-module quad-core CPU with onboard graphics to a R3000-odd six-core processor based on AMD's K10 architecture seems a little idiotic, don't you think? The A10 should have received a higher gaming and graphics score because its miles away from what Intel can muster with its integrated graphics compared to VLIW4 in Trinity, which is built for gaming at 720p with medium details.

There's no gaming benchies, no power consumption results and nothing in the line of overclocking to see how much it would take for Trinity with discrete graphics to match the performance of the K10 architecture. I know MyBB doesn't have much space for reviews due to their in-house rules but come on - this could have been done much better.

Hey Wesley.

I am edified that a NAG writer read one of my articles!

As per your comments on my review, this was not meant to be a mygaming review, but a mybroadband one, hence the lack of a gaming performance benchmark.

Also, I am currently not equipped to do reliable and repeatable power consumption benchmarks. If you have a few tips to share in this regard I will be more than glad to hear them.

As for overclocking, not the object of this review, so not done.

Thanks for reading!

 

[quintinza]

True.

5 For graphics?



Well i am not a tinkerer but this guy doesn't know what hes talking about. Compared to what is this a 5 score? It should be 10 cause there's nothing else with integrated graphics on chip that comes close.

Why would anyone use something like this with a dedicated graphics card? It defeats the purpose.

Hey Kaaskop.

I wanted to see if this rig can bridge the gap between cheapy work machine and gaming rig, and with a graphics card in the slot it performs this role very well.

I am afraid that while the on-board graphics chip in the APU is streets ahead in it's class as far as general graphics performance is concerned, it will not be adequate for gaming for too long.

I gave it a 5 because of that, though in hindsight it might score more, I'll keep your comments in mind the next time I review an AMD apu.

 

[quintinza]

I found this review pretty odd, seeing that most other places did their review like almost 2 months ago!

Many places didn't really benchmark the graphics at all, which let me believe that those sites favour Intel.

When you install a dedicated graphics card, then the Intel Ivy Bridge i3 outperforms this AMD CPU

Hi Pada.

I hear Stellenbosh is wonderful at the moment.

I did not have a comparable class i3 processor to compare with, if I had one I would. It would have made for e better comparative review.

The one to my disposal is the wifes very base i3 (I believe the smallest or second to smallest one in the range) and she would not have enjoyed me slapping windows on her machine and running benchmarks.

We only got this unit recently, hence the two month delay.