AMD Trinity A10-4600M Processor Review

Below is a chart of how AMD is positioning their line-up of Trinity architecture-based A-Series APUs versus competitive Intel Core series processors.  AMD positions the A10 series versus Intel's lower-end Core i7 family of CPUs and higher end Core i5s, while the new A8 competes with lower-end Core i5 and Core i3 processors.  The key to note here is the price point information listed on the vertical axis.  As you'll note, even a current AMD top-of-the-line A10 Trinity-based system should only have a retail price in the $699 range.


Price is once again is where AMD is going to have to compete with Intel's Ivy Bridge processor line-up.  There are just no two ways about it.  It's clear that AMD has a much stronger integrated graphics engine (though we're surprised AMD missed some DX11 performance optimizations in this early prototype seeding), the question is how important is that to the average consumer against the backdrop of Intel's blisteringly fast general compute throughput.

The answer to that question remains to be seen, but there's also a bright spot for AMD relative to power consumption.  Notebooks driven by AMD's new Trinity A-Series APUs will undoubtedly offer solid battery life performance, along with balanced CPU and Multimedia/Gaming performance, all at a price point that will again be attractive on retail shelves.  If HP's Envy Sleekbook shown here is any indication, there are some really nice thin and light options lining-up for not a lot of coin. Starting at $599, with AMD Radeon graphics and that "quad-core" CPU check box listed on its fact tag, you could see Best Buy and others moving quite a few of these machines.  It will be interesting to see AMD's follow-on SKUs to the A10-4600M we tested here today.  At least in the value segment, AMD's new A-Series Fusion APUs offer a compelling low power alternative in the market.