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Best AMD APU (CPU + GPU) for Budget Desktop?

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dja2k

dja2k

Member
​
Joined
Apr 17, 2004
Location
Texas
I have some spare computer parts and I want to build a budget PC for a friend. He uses his computer for music production i.e Adobe Audition and Avid's Pro Tools, etc. I mainly need to focus on what budget AMD quad-core processor with built in GPU to use. I just browsed Newegg and saw something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113288
and
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157333

I do need an ATX board not Micro because of the old school PCI Slots. Also I am not really an AMD user, so I am not familiar with their lines of processors and AMD supported Motherboards, any suggestions please, thanks!

dja2k
 
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Go for the A8-5600K its got the same CPU part as the A10 with a slightly slower GPU. If hes not gaming on it then the lower GPU will make no difference, and may actually free up some extra watts for the CPU overclock.
 
Thanks! Is DDR3-1600 enough for a stable overclock or do I need to go 1866?

dja2k
 
Speeds above 1600 mostly only benefit the GPU portion so it wont be an issue.
 
Looks good, go with that A8 and ASRock board.

If he's using Adobe and stuff for content creation, make sure you get at least 8GB of RAM, then you can use the ASRock software called "XFast RAM," which is basically just a RAMDisk. Adobe will run 5x faster if he stores his project on the RAMDisk vs. the HDD. I went with 16GB (it's cheap enough these days) and dedicate up to 6GB for transcoding. Way way way fast, 20GB/sec read/write vs. maybe 0.5GB/sec on a SSD.
 
Unlike the old A8 and A6 apu's the A10's do not suffer from a lack of power while overclocking. So if you have a use for 4 cores, IE gaming. (since most newer games will make use of 4 threads. I'd go with the A10. While the new A8 should still be extremely capable of overclocking the IGP more. The extra shaders of the A10 will pay off after a year or so, assuming that the A10's follow the performance curve over time that the A8's did (Ie after about a year and half they weren't quite up to what was starting to hit the market game wise, even under lower settings).
 
dja2k said:
I think this combo looks better...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157341
and
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113280
and
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416

dja2k
Click to expand...

Yes, the motherboard and CPU are far better choices for a few dollars more. But while we're at it, why not spend an extra $10 and get some DDR3-2133 RAM for further increased performance? Newegg has a few 8GB GSkill kits (2x4GB) for $49. For another $20 you can get DDR3-2400 and not have to worry about upgrading RAM anytime soon.

The stock retail HSF sucks a lot, so you'll probably want a nice air cooler, and the Cooler Master Hyper 212 series are the best bang for the buck, if you can fit them:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

So the "budget" build is still kinda budget-ish, but performance will be maxed out.

Original A8 build:
CPU: $105, MB $87, RAM $39, Total $231

This A10 build:
CPU: $130, MB $100, RAM:$50-$70, HSF:$30, Total $280-$330 (depending on RAM speed and recommended HSF)

I will say that you get what you pay for. Spending an extra $50-70 now will pay off for years and years.

And keep in mind you will need a power supply with an 8-pin ATX12V connector for this board.
 
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I already have a CoolerMaster Hyper212+ that I will use and also a Rosewill Blackhawk case. I will go low end Corsair http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026&Tpk=Corsair 430w PSU, it should be okay. Maybe wait til Black Friday, see if any item goes lower in price.

There is a sweat deal on a Biostar Hudson D4 motherboard, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138366&Tpk=biostar hudson d4. I am trying to save as much as I can building this setup, so I am not to sure yet.

dja2k
 
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Uh yeah, grab that mobo and free RAM! Looks like it has everything you would need and more. You could even go with the A75 (Hudson D3): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157331 for $49. The A85 chipset just gives you a couple more USB 3.0 and SATA connectors anyways. Downside for you could be the MicroATX form factor, so only 1 PCI slot and 2 RAM slots, HOWEVER note that it only needs a 4-pin connector, SO you MIGHT be able to use an older power supply!
 
Does anyone know if the AMD A10 5800K processor has enough power for audio production i.e. using an external media board via Firewire and using applications like Adobe Audition, Ableton Live, ProTools, etc.

dja2k
 
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Pretty sure that external sound card does most of the processing anyways, but yes, it is powerful enough. It may not be as fast as the new I7s but it is still a very, very fast CPU. Most benchmarks put it on par with the i3/i5 in synthetic benchmarks. Real world performance tends to be more impressive still.
 
I was still debating on my other thread that my friend wants an Intel i5 Quad but I am trying to save him money and convince him that this AMD 5800K is plenty. Anyways I am having a hard time deciding on what Intel Z77 motherboard to get him for the i5 since most reviews are mixed about faulty parts on them.

dja2k
 
my friend wants an Intel i5 Quad but I am trying to save him money and convince him that this AMD 5800K is plenty. = That is not a real good idea. Trying to change a friends mind about how to spend his money is sticky. If he decides to buy the AMD setup and has any issues, in his mind you will always be the one to blame. I make suggestions only like that to friends, but if they are determined to go another route...I let them go since it is their money. You maybe in some more special situation but in general folks want to spend their money like they want to and we are better off not to get in the way.
 
The only reason he wants an i5 is because I have one and told him its fast yet I am overclocking mine. I am probably leaning towards i5, but still stuck on what motherboard. Looking at the ASUS P8Z77-V LE opposed to the ASUS P8Z77-V Pro which is more expensive.

dja2k
 
Well if you go ahead and set him up like you are setup...he ought to be happy since you believe your setup to be fast.
 
That came out like if you're saying you don't think my setup is fast :argue: :rolleyes:

dja2k
 
No Im pretty sure that was intended to say since you believe your setup is fast if you set your friend up with the same stuff hes pretty sure to feel the same way.
 
If you believe yours to be fast then he ought to be believing the same of his rig. Right? I don't have a clue how fast or not fast your rig is, but you want your buddy to believe the same thing of the rig you give him advice about unless he says he cannot foot the bill.
 
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