AMD A10 and A8 Trinity APU: Virgo CPU Performance
Performance Summary: In last week’s article detailing GPU performance, AMD’s latest Trinity-based APUs put up scores that easily outpaced Intel’s integrated graphics offerings. Today’s look at CPU performance, however, tells an entirely different story. The A10-5800K and A8-5600K generally offer better performance than the previous-generation Llano-based APUs they’ll be supplanting in AMD’s desktop APU line-up. Versus Intel’s similarly priced desktop offerings, however, the picture isn’t as rosy. The dual-core Core i3-3220 and i3-3225 keep pace with and in many cases significantly outpace AMD’s latest APUs.
The competitive landscape doesn’t change all that much with the release of AMD’s latest A-Series APUs. The lead in processor performance Intel has maintained over the last couple of generations remains firmly intact. And the superior integrated graphics performance AMD has offered since the introduction of Llano continues. The deltas have simply shifted a bit. The Trinity-based A10-5800K and A8-5600K are a little more competitive with Intel’s offerings at their respective price points in terms of CPU performance, but AMD has extended their lead a bit in terms of integrated graphics performance.
Speaking of price point, we’re sure many of you are wondering how much these things will cost. Fortunately, AMD is being aggressive on that front. The flagship A10-5800K will be priced around $122 and the A8-5600K will be about $101. The lower-end A6-5400K and A4-5300 will be only $67 and $53, respectively. Considering the kind of graphics performance offered by the A10-5800K and A8-5600K we tested, their somewhat improved CPU performance, and decent overclockability, AMD’s latest APUs represent a good value. If you’re looking to build an entry-level system with good graphics performance, AMD’s Trinity-based A-Series APUs and the Virgo platform are an affordable, no-fuss, solution.
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