AMD A6-3650 APU with AMD Radeon 6530 HD Graphics 2.6GHz Socket FM1 100W Quad-Core Processor – Retail AD3650WNGXBOX
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- Unrivaled, discrete-level DirectX 11-capable graphics and powerful AMD processor technology combined on a single chip.
- Dual graphics capabilities can boost visual performance up to 75%.
- Unlike the competition, AMD A-Series APUs discrete-level graphics cores stay on when paired with select AMD Radeon HD 6000 series graphics cards.
- Dual-graphics capability enables improved speed, enhanced resolution and fast frame rates.
- Accelerate the most demanding applications for superb performance with AMD App Acceleration.
- AMD Turbo CORE Technology delivers up to an extra 500MHz of speed when needed.
- Immersive multi-monitor capabilities with AMD Eyefinity technology.
- Unbelievable power at an unbelievable price.
The new AMD A-Series APU joins world-class, discrete-level graphics technology and responsive processing power on a single chip, elevating the visual experience to stunning new HD heights. Discrete-level graphics with full DirectX 11 support lets you enjoy lifelike detail and realistic effects in games. Edit HD photos and videos with ease and responsiveness thanks to quad-core power. And surf the Web, stream video and work in everyday applications at blazing-fast speeds with accelerated application support. All this in a compact, energy-efficient design that’s as affordable as it is stunning. This new design requires an FM1 socket and is not backwards compatible with the AM3 socket.
Amd Dual Core Processors
AMD A6-3650 APU with AMD Radeon 6530 HD Graphics 2.6GHz Socket FM1 100W Quad-Core Processor – Retail AD3650WNGXBOX
List Price: $ 149.99
Price:
Perfect for HTPC…and work tasks for most professionals.,
I’ve wanted to get one of the new AMD APU’s since their release a few months ago. For those who don’t know ‘APU’ means accelerated processing unit which is a fancy way of saying there is a CPU and GPU (discrete graphics card) combined as one on this chip. I went to my local computer superstore intent on buying the flagship APU A8-3850 but it was out of stock so I got the A6-3650 model instead with the major difference being the 2.6ghz base core speed vs. 2.8ghz and the 320 graphics shading cores vs. the A8’s 400.
I went for an extreme budget build at first meaning I wanted to use as many existing parts on hand and spend as little money possible to upgrade a 5 yr old core2duo system whose motherboard was acting up (it wouldn’t stay on). I removed and replaced the CPU, Memory, and motherboard with the A6-3650 APU($115), 4gb of DDR3 1600mhz($30), and Fm1A75-M mobo($99) for less than $250 pre tax. I was able to use my old Sata HDD (180GB) and full size ATX case but not my old CDROM as it used Pata not Sata. I loaded Windows 7 using an external DVD I had laying around.
Once up and running I updated the video drivers with the CD included with my Mobo and ran the Windows Experience Index (WEI). CPU- 7.2 MEMORY- 7.4 DESKTOP GRAPHICS- 6.6 GAMING GRAPHICS- 6.6 HD- 5.7. I was pleasantly surprised by these scores as my previous system barely scored 4.8 on CPU in WEI. Also the integrated graphics now matched my other rig that has a dedicated GTS8800 graphics card which was more than $200 when purchased. It is worth noting that the other rig requires a 500w power supply and has a big ugly case.
As an HTPC, this APU is perfect. It streams and plays media with the greatest of ease. I downloaded Directv2PC which allows me to view the HD content from my DirectvHD receiver and the video quality is perfect and stutter free. The same results when attempting to watch content from Netflix or Hulu. This APU can also handle my massive DVD collection archived on an external HDD. Even on some of the poorly encoded content the APU seems to correct those for flawless video.
As an office workstation, the APU handles any task I’ve thrown at it. Keep in my that I’m an attorney and don’t edit or create media for a living. I’m usually limited to word processing. A lot of word processing with google chrome open with at least 6 browser windows open. This computer flies IMO and would suit any professional not creating media for a living.
In conclusion, I’m very pleased with this APU and will certainly buy more for even smaller builds. I’ve since moved the system to an InWin Bk SFF case and it runs cool and quiet. I don’t even know it’s on sometimes. My next build will upgrade my Wife’s CPU system (she wants 3 screens at once and this APU can handle that) and after that I’m going to build a mini HTPC for my mom using either the A6-3500 tri core or the A4-3400 dual core APU’s (she’s retired so not as much work for her).
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|Support deficient,
Had to troubleshoot failure of new system to boot up. Replaced power supply, motherboard, and memory. Still no luck. Only remaining variable = processor. AMD support horrid. Neither website nor forum recognized the product (tried three different ways to describe, including SKU). Then found that online question / response would be down for 5 days for maintenance. Unbelievable!!! Will return and replace with Intel processor.
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|Great APU,
I’m currently running this processor on a Asus F1A75-I deluxe, a mini ITX mobo, and 4GB of 1600 RAM and a 250W PSU, I can run Crysis on High, although the FPS does suffer, but find that with medium settings it finds a good balance, I know that referencing Crysis as the standard is getting a little old 4/5 years since it’s release, but for this CPU it works. For the price, this CPU is amazing. A must have for HTPC especially if you plan to do some casual gaming on it.
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