AMD A8-3850 APU Quad-Core Processor (AD3850WNGXBOX)
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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 Processors
AMD A8-3850 APU Quad-Core Processor (AD3850WNGXBOX)
List Price: $ 199.99
Price:
Excellent Selection for HTPC Applications,
Combined with a Gigabyte GA-A75-UD4H motherboard, 16 GB (4x4GB) of G.Skill Ripjaw X 1866 DDR3 RAM, and an ASUS HD 6670 video card (Hybrid CrossfireX Dual Graphics); no problems for anyone building a decent $500-$1000 moderate-performance build depending on add-ons. Great for a HTPC (my implementation).
Don’t expect miracles – this is a very capable APU using the new AMD F1 socket (be careful installing the APU…lots of tiny pins), and competes well with i3 or i5 processors. I tested it with CrossfireX enabled and disabled, and definitely recommend adding the extra HD 6670, 6570, or 6450 graphics card. Under normal use, you would never know the difference – using HD 3D or intense graphics demands, and the integrated HD 6650 gets stressed when working alone. For an AMD product, this is one of the best yet. Being a usual Intel fan, it was difficult to to steer away from my comfort zone. However, the cost-savings to acceptable performance index was the factor that influenced my purchase. This product line is for you, budget-builders!
The Windows Experience Index is 6.7 out of 7.9 for this build (Processor 7.3, Memory 7.6, Graphics and Gaming Graphics 6.7). I pulled my good hard drives out and put WD Caviar Blue 6.0 Gb/s drives in for a cool and quiet HTPC, unfortunately reducing the overall index to 5.9 (just the hard drives). That is right, the hard drives will hold you back…
Bottom-line: Great processing power, Excellent 3D capable 1080p graphics (both Blu-ray or HD streaming) built-in with full DirectX 11 support. I suggest taking advantage of the Hybrid CrossfireX Dual Graphics capability. Most HTPC builds will not require a discrete graphics card addition, however. The average user will be impressed.
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Very nice CPU…,
The AMD A8-3850 APU Quad-Core Processor with the Gigabyte A75M-UD2H is a very nice combo for a home theater system. The positive about this setup is the ability to have fast CPU and a med range graphics card without having the additional heat and airflow issues.
Windows 7 Performance Information: Processor 7.3, Memory 7.4, Graphics 5.9, Gaming Graphics 6.6, HD 7.6.
Notes:
— When the system boots it sees my 8GB’s ram. It takes .5 of that and gives it to the video processor leaving only 7.5 for the OS. Not a big problem, just something to note.
— Media center works great (specs below). I use XBMC and WMC witching live TV, streamed MKV, MPEG2, MPEG4 and other audio video files.
My system build (works great)(Photo’s included)
— SilverStone Aluminum/Steel Micro ATX HTPC Computer Case GD05B (Black)
— Gigabyte AMD GA-A75M-UD2H (rev 1.0) Mother board
— AMD A8-3850 APU with AMD Radeon 6550 HD Graphics 2.9GHz Socket FM1 100W Quad-Core
— Kingston Technology HyperX 8 GB (2×4 GB Modules) 1600 MHz DDR3 Dual Channel Kit (PC3 12800)
— OCZ Agility 2 OCZSSD2-2AGTE60G 2.5″ 60GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive
— Western Digital Caviar Green 2 TB SATA III Hard Drive – WD20EARX
— Pioneer Internal 12x Blu-ray Disc/DVD/CD Writer BDR-206DBK
— AmuletDevices remote control and IR Receiver
— Antec (Neo HE650)(NeoPower 650) 650 Watt Power Supply
— IOGEAR Multimedia Keyboard with Laser Trackball
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Built a great HTPC with this,
Used this with the Gigabyte A75M-UD2H and built a great HTPC. I like the idea of not having to have any more things with fans that needed. I tried using one of the AMD E350 based systems 1st but Netflix would max out the CPU. With this CPU I only run 10 – 20% doing Netflix from inside Media Center on Windows 7 – 64 bit.
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