AMD rolls out second-gen A-Series APU desktop processors

AMD
AMD's kicking it up a knotch

AMD announced the retail and distribution channel availability of six A-Series Component Desktops APUs today, marking the public release of the second-generation of processors in its A-Series line.

Formerly codenamed "Trinity," AMD said the processors are ideal for desktop, small form-factor, and home theater PCs.

"The new AMD A-Series APU is ideal for anyone looking for a new desktop or home theater PC with leading performance for the dollar," said Leslie Sobon, corporate vice president, Desktop and Component Products, AMD, in a press release.

"The combination of processing speed, multiple compute cores, and discrete-level graphic capabilities on the second generation AMD A-Series APU make it an excellent platform for the gamer and PC enthusiast alike."

The chips, with pricing, are:

  • A10-5800K - $122 (UK£74, AU$116)
  • A10-5700 - $122 (UK£74, AU$116)
  • A8-5600K - $101 (UK£62, AU$97)
  • A8-550 - $101 (UK£62, AU$97)
  • A6-5400K - $67 (UK£41, AU$64)
  • A4-5300 - $53 (UK £32, AU$50)

The need for speed

The chips feature four next-gen "Piledriver" CPU cores and AMD Radeon HD 7000 Series graphics.

With more than 700 GFLOPS of computing performance, up to 4.2 GHz max frequency, and unclocked CPU with AMD OverDrive software for up to 6.5GHz of overlocking capability, AMD's new processors are hot to trot.

Loaded with AMD's Turbo Core 3.0 Technology, these APUs also let GPU and CPU frequencies automatically increase.

This means PC users have more control over their system to overclock both their GPU and CPU, while gamers can increase their memory frequency.

AMD said it stacked its processors up against the competition and found that for the price, its chips offer more cores, more speed, better entertainment, and an easy upgrade path thanks to a "stable socket infrastructure."

Windows 8 ideal

AMD's making no qualms about the fact that these chips are designed for the Windows 8 experience, which the public can grab hold of Oct. 26.

Because of the processors' hardware-accelerated support for DirectX 11 on AMD Radeon graphics and AMD's Eyefinity Technology, AMD said its chips are ideal for W8 and the already-here Windows 7 OS.

According to AMD, its Eyefinity feature is the only multi-monitor technology that supports a single-surface Windows 8 experience for up to four monitors.

Furthermore, AMD said this is the first time the technology is available from an APU without the need for a discrete graphics card.

That's not to say a discrete graphics card couldn't be thrown into the mix, as the Radeon Dual Graphics support delivers a performance boost of up to 75 percent when one is added to the APU.

The Radeon Dual Graphics option also offers support for Direct X 9 and 10 for older games and, thanks to AMD's CrossFire Application Profiles, offers easier updates.

Get in the zone

Users of AMD's APUs also gain access to the company's AppZone and a complete list of accelerated applications that leverage the full compute power of the APU, the company noted in its release.

As for graphics, because the new A-Series chips take the "Piledriver" CPU's architecture and mash them with the Radeon HD 7000 Series graphics on a new FM2 motherboard, the visual specs offered are ones users haven't experienced as of yet.

Throw a host of new features in the mix and a platform built for future upgrade capabilities, and you've got a lean, mean, graphics machine.

AMD's offering three different chipset options for the motherboards with FM2 sockets: the AMD A55, A75, and A85X.

These sets support AMD Memory Profiles which enable graphics memory to run at 1866 MHz with up to 266 MHz boost for faster performance.

Michelle Fitzsimmons

Michelle was previously a news editor at TechRadar, leading consumer tech news and reviews. Michelle is now a Content Strategist at Facebook.  A versatile, highly effective content writer and skilled editor with a keen eye for detail, Michelle is a collaborative problem solver and covered everything from smartwatches and microprocessors to VR and self-driving cars.

Latest in Computing Components
AMD Radeon RX 6000 Series Graphics Card on top wooden desk beside a keyboard
How to update AMD GPU drivers
A character riding their horse through the Japanese landscape of in Rise of the Ronin
Another day, another dreadful PC port - Rise of the Ronin joins the list of woeful PC launches with even an Nvidia RTX 4090 succumbing to stutters
The main battle pass characters in Fortnite Lawless, including Midas, Sub Zero and a large wolf-man
You'll finally be able to play Fortnite on Windows 11 Arm-powered laptops as Epic Games partners with Qualcomm
An AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT made by Sapphire on a table with its retail packaging
AMD describes its recent RDNA 4 GPU launch as 'unprecedented' and promises restocking the Radeon RX 9070 XT as 'priority number one'
An AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT vs RX 9070 against a red two-tone background
Well, AMD's Radeon RX 9070 series launch isn't going as smoothly as we thought - and it's because retailers have inflated prices
SAMSUNG T7 Portable SSD in gray on magenta pink background with price cut text on it
This spacious 2TB Samsung Portable SSD drops to its lowest price in over a year
Latest in News
A man getting angry with his laptop.
Windows 11 bug deletes Copilot from the OS – is this the first glitch ever some users will be happy to encounter?
An image of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra from a hands-on event
Samsung's latest software upgrade could mean Galaxy phones beat iPhones for gaming – but you can't get it yet
person at a computer
Many workers are overconfident at spotting phishing attacks
Some of the Avengers standing in a room without their costumes on in Marvel's Avengers: Endgame movie
'It's a new beginning': Avengers 5 and 6 directors tease what Marvel fans can expect from Doomsday and Secret Wars' plot – and how they will set up the MCU's future
Google Pixel 8a in aloe green showing
Google Pixel 9a benchmark link teases the performance of the upcoming mid-ranger
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Monday, March 17 (game #1148)