AMD A-Series "Trinity" Socket FM2 APU Preview

Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by AMD.

In mid-2011, AMD released their first generation of Accelerated Processing Units codenamed "Llano". Benchmark Reviews was right there with the scoop on the A8-3850 Lynx APU, which provided significantly improved performance over its Sandy Bridge competitor, especially in GPU-centric benchmarks. Now Intel has released Ivy Bridge, which increased performance over Sandy Bridge, and AMD has responded by releasing their second generation of APUs.

Now, it's no secret that the highest-end Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge CPUs hold the top spots in performance. Even back with the Athlon series of CPUs, however, AMD has had a firm hold on the sub-$200 region of processors. For me, the new FX series of AMD CPUs was a little disappointing. The price wasn't right and the performance fell under the Sandy Bridge CPUs. The first generation of A-Series processors turned it right back around for me. Dollar for dollar, Llano wiped the floor once again. That makes me very excited to take a look at Trinity.

I do have a couple of issues with the new series of APUs, though. My biggest concern is the new socket. Trinity uses the FM2 socket where Llano used the FM1 socket. FM2 is not backwards compatible. This kind of blows my mind. AM2, AM2+, AM3, and even AM3+ were all backwards compatible. That was one of the things that I always loved about AMD. When Intel required you to buy the combo, AMD let you upgrade one piece at time. Now the world has turned upside down. Ivy Bridge is backwards compatible and Trinity is not. What is that all about?

Closer Look: A10-5800K & A8-5600K

The first new introduction of the Second Generation APUs is the addition of the A10 series. Llano capped out at A8 with the quad-core A8-3870K Black Edition processor at the top. The A10-5800K is one of the first Trinity APUs out the gate. The A10 keeps the quad-cores but bumps up the clock frequency significantly. Where the A8-3870K had a base clock of 3.0GHz, the A10-5800K clocks in at 3.8GHz. Being a Black Edition APU (as you can tell from the K on the end), the A10-5800K can also turbo up to 4.2GHz.

The other APU we got is the A8-5600K. The A8-5600K also provides a dramatic increase in clock speed when compared to its predecessors. The A8-5600K clocks in at 3.6GHz with the ability to turbo up to 3.9GHz. Other than the clock speeds, though, the A10-5800K and the A8-5600K are nearly identical. They both have just over 1.3 billion transistors and a die size of 246mm squared. Both APUs have 4MB of L2 cache and no L3 cache. This is no surprise. AMD entry and mid-level processors typically lack the L3 cache. That is reserved for the high-end AMD CPUs.

The A10-5800K and the A8-5600K both feature MMX, SSE up to 4a, AES instructions, Advanced Bit Manipulation, Advanced Vector Extensions, AVX 1.1, AMD64 Technology, Virtualization technology, Enhanced Virus Protection, and Turbo Core 3.0 Technology. That sounds like a lot, but only the Turbo Core 3.0 Technology is new to the second generation.

The only other difference between the A10-5800K and the A8-5600K comes in the form of the on-die GPU. The A10-5800K comes equipped with the Radeon HD 7660D GPU running at 800MHz and stocked with 384 Radeon cores. The A8-5600K, on the other hand, touts a Radeon HD 7560D GPU running at 760MHz with 256 Radeon Cores. For reference, I've included a table with the details of the currently planned FM2 socket APUs.

The Second Generation A-Series processors also appear to have some pretty good overclock room. According to the documentation that AMD sent us, they got the A10-5800K up to 6.5GHz on liquid nitrogen. I don't know how many AMD A-Series buyers are going to go all out for a LN2 setup, though, so I'll certainly be evaluating the overclock potential on air for myself. You'll be able to see those results in just a couple of short weeks.

Before we get to a couple of gaming benchmarks, let's talk about what really makes the difference in those tests, the GPU. This is where the A-Series processors really shine and really outperform the similarly priced Intel line of processors. As I mentioned above, the A10-5800K and the A8-5600K sport Radeon HD 7000 series discrete-level GPUs. When I reviewed the A8-3850 APU, I noted a couple of things. First off, the discrete level 6550D on the A8-3850 couldn't compete with low-end discrete graphics solutions like the GT430 unless I overclocked it. Also, while the 6550D on the A8-3850 took the Sandy Bridge graphics on the i3-2100 to school, I couldn't compare the two in DX11 tests because Sandy Bridge didn't support DX11. Ivy Bridge supports DX11, so that makes this time different. I'll really be able to show the differences now.

AMD claims that, this time, the discrete level graphics on the A10-5800K and the A8-5600K are more than a match for Ivy Bridge graphics. I don't doubt this at all. They also claim that the A10-5800K's 7660D can outperform the i3 graphics combined with a GT 630. I haven't had a chance to test all those variables yet. Like I said, I got these two APUs less than two prior to the publishing of this article. I did get a chance to check the performance against the 6550D in the A8-3850 and the Intel HD Graphics on the i3-2100.

Video Game Benchmarks

For the full spectrum of gaming benchmarks and the full array of other CPU tests, you'll have to wait for the full articles on the A10-5800K and the A8-5600K. I've been benchmarking non-stop for the last two days to bring you what I have now, though. So enjoy what I've gotten so far.

Each benchmark test program begins after a system restart, and the very first result for every test will be ignored since it often only caches the test. This process proves extremely important in many gaming benchmarks, as the first run serves to cache maps allowing subsequent tests to perform much better than the first. Each test is completed five times, with the average results displayed in our article.

Resident Evil 5 Benchmark Results

To check out the performance against the i3-2100, I had to bust out an old DX10 gaming benchmark to use. I like Resident Evil 5 because it is still a pretty demanding game.

Built upon an advanced version of Capcom's proprietary MT Framework game engine to deliver DirectX-10 graphic detail, Resident Evil 5 offers gamers non-stop action similar to Devil May Cry 4, Lost Planet, and Dead Rising. The MT Framework is an exclusive seventh generation game engine built to be used with games developed for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and PC ports. MT stands for "Multi-Thread", "Meta Tools" and "Multi-Target". Games using the MT Framework are originally developed on the PC and then ported to the other two console platforms.

On the PC version of Resident Evil 5, both DirectX 9 and DirectX-10 modes are available for Microsoft Windows XP and Vista Operating Systems. Microsoft Windows 7 will play Resident Evil with backwards compatible Direct3D APIs. Resident Evil 5 is branded with the NVIDIA The Way It's Meant to be Played (TWIMTBP) logo, and receives NVIDIA GeForce 3D Vision functionality enhancements.

NVIDIA and Capcom offer the Resident Evil 5 benchmark demo for free download from their website, and Benchmark Reviews encourages visitors to compare their own results to ours. Benchmark Reviews uses the DirectX-10 version of the test at 1280x1024 resolution. Low quality settings are configured, with no MSAA post processing effects. Test scenes from Area #3 and Area #4 require the most graphics processing power, and the results are collected for the chart illustrated below.

Lost Planet 2 DX11 Benchmark Results

A decade has passed since the first game, and the face of E.D.N. III has changed dramatically. Terra forming efforts have been successful and the ice has begun to melt, giving way to lush tropical jungles and harsh unforgiving deserts. Players will enter this new environment and follow the exploits of their own customized snow pirate on their quest to seize control of the changing planet.

• 4-player co-op action: Team up to battle the giant Akrid in explosive 4 player co-operative play. Teamwork is the player's key to victory as the team is dependent on each to succeed and survive.
• Single-player game evolves based on players decisions and actions
• Deep level of character customization: Players will have hundreds of different ways to customize their look to truly help them define their character on the battlefield both on- and offline. Certain weapons can also be customized to suit individual player style.
• Beautiful massive environments: Capcom's advanced graphics engine, MT Framework 2.0, will bring the game to life with the next step in 3D fidelity and performance.
• Massive scale of enemies: Players skill on the battlefield and work as a team will be tested like never before against the giant Akrid. Players will utilize teamwork tactics, new weapons and a variety of vital suits (VS) to fight these larger-than-life bosses.
• Rewards System- Players will receive rewards for assisting teammates and contributing to the team's success
• Multiplayer modes and online ranking system
• Exciting new VS features- Based on fan feedback, the team has implemented an unbelievable variety of Vital Suits and new ways to combat VS overall. The new VS sytem will have a powerful impact on the way the player takes to the war zone in Lost Planet 2

Diablo III Gaming Benchmark

Diablo III is the long awaited sequel to the best selling Diablo series from Blizzard. Diablo III uses a custom graphics engine based off the Starcraft II engine. Built to allow for the maximum number of potential players, Diablo III uses DirectX 9c. It is perfect for our tests here because it is a game that is well suited to low powered graphics solutions. A relatively inexpensive video card can easily play Diablo III on the highest settings.

AMD A85X Platform

The Second Generation of AMD A-Series processors also comes with a new platform; the A85X. Socket FM1 motherboards came in one of two varieties, A75 and A55. Both of these chipsets will also be available with the FM2 socket. Additionally, the A85X chipset will also sport the FM2 socket. The FM2 socket knocks one pin off the 905-pin FM1 socket. The 904-pin lidded micro-PGA socket FM2 measures the same size as the FM1, however, at 40mm X 40mm. Luckily, this means that your AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, and FM1 heatsink and fan assemblies.

In reality, the A85X Platform changes little. The key difference bet the A85X and the A75 chipsets is the number of SATA and USB 3.0 ports it natively supports. The A85X supports eight SATA 6Gb/s ports and four USB 3.0 ports. Granted, the A75 supports four USB 3.0 ports as well, but the A55 chipset doesn't support any at all.

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.

Of course, many motherboard manufacturers might make it even easier for you by adding Lucidlogix Virtu like you see in the Z77 motherboards. The motherboard we received to go with the two new Trinity APUs was the Gigabyte GA-F2A85X-UP4. Don't worry, you'll be able to read all about the GA-F2A85X-UP4 very soon. I wish I could have included more here, but with less than two days, I couldn't have done it justice.

AMD Second Generation A-Series APU Preview Conclusion

I've still got a lot of testing to do to make a final evaluation of the AMD Second Generation A-Series APUs, but so far, I like what I see. AMD says that the A10-5800K will compare in price to the i3-3220. This price range is a niche that AMD generally holds onto very well. From the brief taste of performance potential we have seen here, it looks like AMD is going to continue the tradition of excellence they have achieved in the ~$100 to $150 price range.

One of the most obvious uses for processors in this range is for media PCs and Home Theater PCs. That topic is particularly close to my heart. I have to admit, however, that I am using an i3-2100 currently in my HTPC. The reason for that is because it does everything I need it to. I would have used the A8-3850, but I decided to use that in a different machine that was going to be used more robustly than the HTPC. I am very excited, however, to see how the A10-5800K and the A8-5600K stack up in terms of HTPC usage. I find it very likely that my i3-2100 will soon be replaced.

To finish off this preview, I would invite you to leave your comments on what you want to see for the full reviews of the A10-5800K and the A8-5600K. This is one of those rare chances that we get to preview a new item before it officially hits the market and I can actually solicit your direct feedback for what you want to see in a future article. Please let me know and I will try to get as much of it packed into the next couple of weeks as possible.

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