A look into APU graphics performance in modern games.

[Silverforce11]

@Sweepr

I posted more recent games. None of the mainstream online games like LOL, DOTA, CS because we already KNOW APUs are very capable in those titles.

You post Bioshock Inifnite and a bunch of old titles. I think we already know that Intel is more competitive (if you can consider a 6700K as the competitor to a cheap A8/A10 haha) in older games, since they are often used when tech sites do CPU reviews, like Anandtech here.

 

[frozentundra123456]

They are really getting there.

The last 2 games Game.gpu tested, Doom beta and Dark Souls III were not even playable at 720p. Not 1080, 720p.

If that is "getting there" I dont know where they are going, except to the land of "dang, wish I had gotten a discrete card." And the upcoming new generation of dgpus is going to make APUs look even more pathetic, both AMD and intel.

I have a HD7770 in one computer, and feel that is really inadequate these days. But considering the extra shaders and GDDR5 memory, it is probably at least 50% faster than the best APU. No way would I even consider gaming on an APU as they currently exist, not when 50% or more increased performance is available for less than a hundred dollars.

Only caveat is that I am talking about a conventional desktop. An APU can be a nice choice for a SFF build, but that is all I would even consider it for.

 

[Silverforce11]

Yep, Doom Beta I think is unoptimized for APU, since the game itself isn't that demanding, similar to DS3. Performance should go up with better drivers.

 

[Sweepr]

@Sweepr

I posted more recent games. None of the mainstream online games like LOL, DOTA, CS because we already KNOW APUs are very capable in those titles.

You post Bioshock Inifnite and a bunch of old titles. I think we already know that Intel is more competitive (if you can consider a 6700K as the competitor to a cheap A8/A10 haha) in older games, since they are often used when tech sites do CPU reviews, like Anandtech here.

GameGPU Intel iGPU tests are mostly flawed with outdated drivers and worse memory kits, their results almost never match other websites, old games or not. One example in this thread is World of Tanks, massive difference. If people are fine with this then don't complain about PCLab test threads.

 

[Silverforce11]

GameGPU Intel iGPU tests are mostly flawed with outdated drivers and worse memory kits, their results almost never match other websites, old games or not. One example in this thread is World of Tanks, massive difference. If people are fine with this then don't complain about PCLab test threads.

World of Tanks depends on the version tested. It has changed a lot. I play that game on and off and have seen many patches swing performance all over the place.

Whenever they test, they list the drivers used. These results aren't from all one article, they are from when the game is relatively new released.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I can't stand my 750 ti for modern AAA games at 1080p. This looks like torture.

I want to see what say Rocket League looks like. That is a lower end modern game that is super popular.

 

[IllogicalGlory]

I have to agree that APUs don't really make sense.

For the same price as a cheapo APU system, you can buy an Athlon X4 845 + an R7 250X (2GB), which will just blow away any APU. Actually a decent little system.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 845 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($67.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI A68HM-E33 V2 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($35.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Klevv Neo 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($32.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($43.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R7 250X 2GB Core Edition Video Card ($67.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Apex TX-381-C MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($26.99 @ Directron)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($28.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $304.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-21 00:39 EDT-0400

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A10-7870K 3.9GHz Quad-Core Processor ($126.38 @ B&H)
Motherboard: MSI A68HM-E33 V2 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($35.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Klevv Neo 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($32.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($43.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Apex TX-381-C MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($26.99 @ Directron)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($28.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $295.32
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-21 00:45 EDT-0400

 

[AtenRa]

This is what APUs are made for, this system will be more than fine for the vast majority of users. It will change their perspective for desktops with its fast SSD, its ability to game on the TV or Monitor on a small form factor and all that at a very attractive price.

Just OC the iGPU to 900MHz and you almost have the same performance as the more expensive A10-7870K.

http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/partlist/

CPU: AMD A8-7670K 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A78M-ITX+ Mini ITX FM2+ Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory
SSD : Sandisk Z400s 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
Case: Apevia X-FIT-100 Mini ITX Tower Case w/250W Power Supply
Total: 283.82 AR

 

[Silverforce11]

A8 is the better bargain for sure since the iGPU is the same and can be OC as well. A10 price is too high.

 

[AtenRa]

Well the iGPU is not the same, A8 has 384 Shaders vs 512 Shaders on the A10 but due to memory bandwidth constrain the difference at the same MHz is no more than 5-10%.

But yes the A8 has the best perf/$.

 

[LTC8K6]

I have to agree that APUs don't really make sense.

For the same price as a cheapo APU system, you can buy an Athlon X4 845 + an R7 250X (2GB), which will just blow away any APU. Actually a decent little system.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 845 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($67.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI A68HM-E33 V2 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($35.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Klevv Neo 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($32.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($43.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R7 250X 2GB Core Edition Video Card ($67.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Apex TX-381-C MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($26.99 @ Directron)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($28.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $304.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-21 00:39 EDT-0400

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A10-7870K 3.9GHz Quad-Core Processor ($126.38 @ B&H)
Motherboard: MSI A68HM-E33 V2 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($35.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Klevv Neo 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($32.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($43.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Apex TX-381-C MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($26.99 @ Directron)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($28.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $295.32
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-21 00:45 EDT-0400

I would not get the DDR3 250X, though. I'd spend another $15 and get the GDDR5 version.

 

[AtenRa]

Another one, Mirros Edge Catalyst

http://gamegpu.com/тест-apu/mirror-s-edge-catalyst-beta-test-apu

 

[Zodiark1593]

I can't stand my 750 ti for modern AAA games at 1080p. This looks like torture.

I want to see what say Rocket League looks like. That is a lower end modern game that is super popular.

My laptop's Radeon 5470 (80 shaders @ 850 MHz) is on mostly low except for cheap effects like Bloom, and 720P resolution. Averages about 30 fps with minor dips. An APU should achieve at minimum several times this.

 

[Redentor]

A8 is the better bargain for sure since the iGPU is the same and can be OC as well. A10 price is too high.

also it seems 384sp are enough

https://semiaccurate.com/forums/showpost.php?p=260679&postcount=13

 

[USER8000]

Overwatch APU results:

http://gamegpu.com/тест-apu/overwatch-test-apu

I am surprised at the performance of the £65 A8 7600!!

 

[MiddleOfTheRoad]

I have to agree that APUs don't really make sense.

For the same price as a cheapo APU system, you can buy an Athlon X4 845 + an R7 250X (2GB), which will just blow away any APU. Actually a decent little system.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 845 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($67.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI A68HM-E33 V2 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($35.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Klevv Neo 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($32.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($43.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R7 250X 2GB Core Edition Video Card ($67.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Apex TX-381-C MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($26.99 @ Directron)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($28.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $304.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-21 00:39 EDT-0400

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A10-7870K 3.9GHz Quad-Core Processor ($126.38 @ B&H)
Motherboard: MSI A68HM-E33 V2 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($35.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Klevv Neo 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($32.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($43.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Apex TX-381-C MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($26.99 @ Directron)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($28.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $295.32
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-21 00:45 EDT-0400

Dude, if you are using Micro Center in the thread -- it is totally disingenuous to not mention the A6 bundle in a discussion about APU's.

It's actually 2 dollars cheaper (after rebate) to buy the A6 7400k APU with a motherboard than buying the APU by itself.
(The A6 sells for $59, but when you bundle with the Gigabyte motherboard -- the entire bundle is only $57!)

For $57, no one can beat the bang for the buck of buying an A6 7400K and Gigabyte motherboard. Would I prefer an A8 or A10? Sure. But the A6 can certainly play the casual games being discussed like DOTA.

 

[William Gaatjes]

I find all these comparisons strange. It is true that the latest games will not be played on an apu at high resolution with everything on. That is also not so strange. Current apu's just do not have the memory bandwidth. 10x times less and to be shared with the cpu(not going to change until we get hbm2 apu's). But for casual gaming or playing older games apu's work just fine.
Even games specifically mentioning not working on integrated gpu's work fine on apu's.

As a comparison : These are my systems specs :

PSU : Antec Earth watts 380W.
OS : Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 [6.1 Build 7601] (x64)
SSD : Crucial_CT256M550SSD1 : 256,0 GB
HDD : WDC WD5000AAKX-00ERMA0 : 500,1 GB.
DVD writer : Optiarc.
RAM : 8GB 1600MHz ddr3 dram from GEIL.
MB : GA-F2A75M-HD2 (IOMMU enabled in bios)
APU : A10-6700.

The quality mainboard was about 56 euro.
The most expensive part of this system was actually my ssd, being just 10 to 20 euro more expensive at the time than the apu.

I am going for a discrete gpu mid range card. Just waiting for to see what happens this summer.

But , you know just doing normal windows productivity stuff is blazingly fast on this system. virtual machines run rapidly on this system. Windows is fast, i never wait for my machine (with the exception for some games checking the authenticity of the game and the cd). Apu's are fast and any accompanying chipset starting from A75 is very good. And the main reason windows is so responsive when it comes to loading data is not an integrated gpu or a discrete gpu but the ssd.

And that is what i find strange, all this penny pincing for to get a discrete card that is somewhat faster while not thinking of an ssd.

 

[LTC8K6]

In your case, the A10-6700 has pre-gcn graphics, so it's obsolete.

Is your system blazing fast because it's actually that fast, or because you haven't used anything faster?

SSD is a must these days, for sure.

 

[Sonikku13]

I personally, with an A10-7850K, 8 GB of DDR3-1866 SDRAM, and 240 GB Sandisk Extreme Pro SSD, get 30 FPS at 720p standard settings in Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward.

It's about to be retired, though, since I got a Xeon E5-2670 and a Radeon R9 Nano to play around with. Just need to buy an X79 motherboard.

 

[boozzer]

APUs needs 100% more performance to completely, 100% replace 99% of the laptops. imagine a 3 - 4 pound gaming laptop that is capable of 1080p medium setting in modern games. hmmm.

 

[GodisanAtheist]

AMD's APU's are so horriblely crippled by memory bandwidth limitations that I can't imagine they aren't working on a SOC with a cpu/GPU/HBM all on one die.

Play it right and the HBM can double as system memory as well. Tons of performance without even having to upgrade their chips and all the income from that SOC sale goes into their pockets instead of being split with a RAM vendor.

 

[s44]

Overwatch APU results

Can't hit 60fps even at 720p low... ouch.

 

[TheELF]

Can't hit 60fps even at 720p low... ouch.

Game is pretty demanding on the CPU and APUs throttle down the CPU side heavily anytime the GPU side works, so no wonder they only perform well in clean benchmarks where only the GPU is being stressed.

http://www.tomshardware.de/amd-a10-...enchmark-budget-pc,testberichte-242059-2.html

 

[William Gaatjes]

In your case, the A10-6700 has pre-gcn graphics, so it's obsolete.

I know. I am having high hopes for a polaris based discrete card.

Is your system blazing fast because it's actually that fast, or because you haven't used anything faster?
SSD is a must these days, for sure.

I have worked with many, AMD or Intel based. Biggest change is always the SSD.
of course, a 500 dollar cpu will be faster, but my whole system costs about or less than that. I made a conscious decision about what i do with it and what i need.
I have only one demand : I never want to wait for my pc when i do normal pc stuff.

 

[AtenRa]

Overwatch APU results:

http://gamegpu.com/тест-apu/overwatch-test-apu

I am surprised at the performance of the £65 A8 7600!!

I really want to see the BristolRidge A8 at 45W TDP, im expecting to have close to A10-7870K performance in games.