We update our first look at AMD's A6, A8, and A8 Trinity-based APUs with numbers from an A8-3870K, Core i3-2100, and Core i3-2105. The new results give us a much better idea of how the upcoming architecture will fare in productivity apps and games.
Shortly after wrapping up our first look at AMD’s Trinity-based desktop APUs, I ordered an A8-3870K and Core i3-2100 from Newegg. Each chip was $120 bucks at the time, and promised to add much needed comparison data to our Trinity-based desktop APU preview.
The A8 is important because it’s AMD’s flagship APU built on the Llano design. Although it only operates 100 MHz faster than the A8-3850 originally used for testing, an unlocked multiplier ratio commands a bit of a price premium. Expect the unlocked Trinity-based parts to cost extra, too.
Intel’s Core i3 is, by far, a more interesting comparison point. Its two Hyper-Threaded cores employ the Sandy Bridge architecture, which we know to be very efficient. But can it stand up to AMD’s twin Piledriver modules in the Trinity-based A10 and A8? Really, that was the question we wanted to answer most.
Core i3-2100 is armed with HD Graphics 2000, so we knew it’d get slaughtered by AMD’s forthcoming APUs. However, the i3-2105 employs HD Graphics 3000—a more capable implementation with two times the number of execution units (12, rather than six). Operating at the same 3.1 GHz core clock rate as the i3-2100, the only reason to buy -2105 over -2100 is built-in graphics. And for that, you’ll pay $135.
How do our results look after adding the A8-3870K and Core i3-2100 to our x86-based tests, along with the Core i3-2105 to our gaming tests?
- Following Up With More Test Data
- Test Setup And Benchmarks
- Benchmark Results: Sandra 2012
- Benchmark Results: Adobe CS5 And 6
- Benchmark Results: Content Creation
- Benchmark Results: Productivity
- Benchmark Results: Media Encoding
- Benchmark Results: File Compression
- Batman: Arkham City
- World of Warcraft: Cataclysm
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Diablo III
- If Trinity Showed Up Today...
not only will the system perfom well it finally puts amd on a level footing with intel at the low end which is something that will help keep prices balanced for intel owners 2.. currently intel is a little higher priced than it should be at this price point, so hopefully healthy competition will give us better value.
obviously you misunderstand what these apu's are about. there an all in 1 solution. you dont need a gfx card because these systems are capable of performing at a similar level to a entry level gaming pc that will set you back $500 but because the a8/a10 doesnt need a gfx card you dont need a big case, a large psu or a gfx card which will put you at about $300 all in to get the same performance.
the best part for me is that you can have a teeny box next to your tv and keep all the functionality of windows with none of the noise that goes with owning a desktop. basically this kind of setup can be used as the center of all your home entertainment needs without invading your space or emptying your wallet.
I Will buy an AMD APU knowing that the Trinity APU will have an Upgrade path to Kaveri on FM2 Socket