Review: amd a10

If a few days ago, we made a review to learn about the new features of the Apus A10-6700, today it is the turn of the model prepared for overclocking also from the Richland generation, the A10-6800K. Let's meet him.

This Apu processor is the highest of the range of all of them, with high base frequencies at 4.1Ghz / 4.4Ghz in its highest state of Turbo. The integrated graphics by cons has the same frequency and number of shaders as the A10-6700, that is to say 384 Shaders and 844Mhz. The memory controller is one of the great novelties, reaching 2133Mhz of base and all this with a TDP of 100w.

This model is ideal for overclocking that we can identify with the tag " K ", which allows us to upload memory multiplier, the IGP and the CPU.

The recommended retail price is the same as the previous model, € 144.95.

The main characteristics are:

• Memory support up to 2133Mhz.

  AMD Crossfire technology.

  Up to 4 monitors with AMD Eyefinity.

  Compatible Amd Dual Graphics.

  Compatible with current FM2 motherboards on the market.

Description of models:

Then we leave you a table that serves as a reference to know the specifications of the new range of Apus Richland, to differentiate this A10-6800K from the others.

First look and overclock

If previously we managed to make the A10-6700 go up laps easily, this predestined model and designed to make a high overclock, will not be far behind, since it is precisely the trick that this Richland model offers us with a process very refined manufacturing.

Despite having much higher frequencies than the A10-6700, it retains the same type of voltage both at rest and in its highest state of Turbo, which indicates the degree of maturity of the architecture and the process, distancing itself even more of its predecessor A10-5800K, which will also accompany us in this review.

The overclock has been high, much higher than those achieved in the other models. By testing, which you can follow with the FM2 overclocking guide that we did here recently, we have used all the factors that we can touch on both the motherboard and the processor, such as BCLK, multiplier, memory, NB Frequency… reaching an impressive 4902Mhz figure for the CPU (38 x 129), with an NB Frequency up to 2450Mhz, memories at 2407Mhz and integrated graphics at 1153Mhz (894Mhz + 29%).

For this overclock we have used, 1.52V for the CPU, 1.28v for the APU (IGP) and the board has not needed additional voltage and neither have the memories. A clear differentiating example with respect to the A10-5800K that we did not manage to raise it from 4400Mhz with ease, coming to need too much voltage to obtain 4500Mhz, the ceiling of our unit. The configuration at no time even reached the maximum recommended working temperature, 74ºC.

We leave you some screenshots of the CPU-Z and GPU-Z to see the final configuration.

Platform and methodology

TESTING BENCH
Processor:	AMD A10-6800K.
Base plate:	Asus F2A85M-Pro.
Memory:	G.Skills Trident X 2400mhz
Heatsink	Antec Khüler 620.
HDD	Crucial M4 128GB SSD.
Graphic card	Integrated graphics.
Power supply	OCZ Modxstream 700W modular.
Box	Dimastech Mini White Milk

The A10-5800K in Oc is at 4400Mhz of CPU, 2400Mhz in the memories and 1013Mhz for the IGP.

The A10-6700 in Oc is at 4375Mhz of CPU, 2333Mhz in the memories and 1056Mhz for the IGP.

Software, games and benchmarks:

- Cinebench 11.5.

- Luxmark 2.0.

- CLBenchmark 1.1.3.

- Fritz Chess.

- Alien VS Predator.

- Sniper Elite V2.

- Resident Evil 5 DX10.

- Lost Planet 2 DX11.

- Sleeping Dogs.

- Dirt Showdown.

- Metro 2033

Test scores. CPU and Computing section

Below we will see the test results of both the A10-5800k, A10-6700 and A10-6800K, all of which are tested as standard and overclocked.

As we observe, the differences in series lie practically in the increase in frequencies from one generation to the next, from 4400Mhz to 4900Mhz achieved here, seeing the interesting scaling we won, although we also highlight the score obtained in OpenCL, which despite having Very close serial frequencies there is a slight performance boost perhaps from the drivers or a slight polishing of architecture.

Test results, iGPU section

Next we are going to expose the tests, carried out in two resolutions that are the most used in the bulk of the market that these processors encompass, 1280 × 720 and 1920 × 1080. The graphic quality of these has been between medium and high, with some exceptions such as the Sniper Elite to check how the performance of the integrated graphics scales.

This is the section where we see the highest gain compared to the previous generation, having a clear benefit from the high frequencies obtained (and totally stable) from the extremely high overclock achieved. As we see, many games begin to touch 60Fps and make them fully playable up to 1080P resolutions, with a moderate image quality of course, but taking into account the type of product it is and for which it is intended, it excellently fulfills its task.

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Final words and conclusion

Overclocking. It is the first thing that comes to mind for this Apu. Its refined manufacturing process, its high frequencies, working voltage and low temperature give it a large margin for this, in many cases gaining more than good performance for the segment it is intended for.

Of course we do not need a latest generation motherboard, the best heatsink and the best memories, because this A10-6800K with less than 1.43V allowed us to reach 4700Mhz and the integrated graphics up to 1013Mhz without the need to apply additional voltage, unthinkable figures in the highest model of the previous generation.

Basically, we also highlight the memory controller at 2133Mhz which gives it a very good boost in graphics compared to the last generation, the A10-5800K, where we see that it almost reaches overclock figures being this one as standard. It also allows us (if we have memories for it) to go beyond 2550Mhz as we will see in a future review soon.

Not everything was going to be good things, unfortunately the difference in performance compared to the A10-5800K is still very small to be a generational leap or for those who have one, they may want to upgrade to this one, but for those who opt for a new team, it is the candidate for all purposes such as casual games, leisure, office automation, multi-media center…

But we are again with its efficiency, since it has all the good things about the A10-6700 which are its temperatures, working voltage and frequencies, and the best thing about the A10-5800K which are its overclocking capabilities thanks to the fact that it is fully unlocked.

ADVANTAGE	DISADVANTAGES
+ Impressive overclocking and its benefit.	- Few additional news
+ High frequencies of series and Turbo.	- Need for quick memories to enjoy greater graphic fluidity
+ Compatibility with current FM2 boards.	- Current price of the memories for the same
+ Improvement over the A10-5800K.
+ The best integrated graphics on the market.
+ Same price as the A10-6700.

The Professional Review team awards him the gold medal: