AMD APU graphics performance

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deh-cheesekake

Bronze Level Poster
I have been tasked with ordering the PC for my family (who are not the most technically minded when it comes to PCs). I have most of the PC specification planned out but one family member wants to be able to run games on decent settings. I am dithering between relying on the integrated graphics in the APU (which are a damn sight better than what intel has managed to cough up) or getting a dedicated GPU and just not using the APUs GPU

By gaming I mean around the performance to manage Minecraft and source games (Team Fortress 2, Half Life 2 ect..) on decent settings so it can run native on a 1080p monitor on decent settings

If I had more knowledge on the APU I would be able to pass judgement myself but am currently unsure, and advice is welcomed
 
Boozad

Boozad

Prolific Poster
Go for a dedicated GPU. You could always go cheap with the 6670 (around £40) if money's an issue and crossfire it with the APU. The A10-5800k plus the HD6670 would be the optimum setup in that case and apparently gives performance around the 7850 mark.
 
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Wozza63

Biblical Poster
The new Richland APUs are very good value, there are many with more powerful GPUs than the one suggested above

The A8 6500 is great value, that is the one I recommend although you can go higher if you can afford it as I don't know what your budget is
 
Boozad

Boozad

Prolific Poster
I didn't even realise the 6000 series was available. I'm now a bonafide Intel fanboy.
 
Boozad

Boozad

Prolific Poster
Wozza365 said:
Don't be a fanboy, as you won't end up with the best product you can get. Although thats mainly aimed at Apple fanboys xD
Click to expand...

I dropped my brief flirtation with Apple after my iPhone 4 decided it didn't want to pick up a signal anymore. And I hated iTunes. My fanboyism is prone to massive bouts of fickleness too.
 
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deh-cheesekake

Bronze Level Poster
Thanks for your responses so far, I would just like to confirm one thing. I am under the impression that GPU in the APU does not take power from the APUs' CPU. Can anyone confirm this?
 
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deh-cheesekake

Bronze Level Poster
Wait a min, you can crossfire the APUs' GPU with a dedicated ATI GPU!?! That could come in handy, mind I have no idea how to go about doing that. You don't happen to know of any tutorial for setting this up by and chance?
 
vanthus

vanthus

Member Resting in Peace
You can use the an integrated and a discrete graphics card in what's called "hybrid crossfire" as long as the integrated graphics is hybrid crossfire capable.
 
kruppsy

kruppsy

Master
I should have realised 'hybrid crossfire' is a very general term used by AMD. Where did you dig that up from though? its an old page, its talking about Vista and AMD HD 3000/4000 Series GPUs. But its pretty much what I linked to in #10, saying only certain dedicated cards will work with certain integrated cards. Only mine is more vague with it saying 'recommended pairing', doesn't really tell the whole story and I can't find much more info on what would and wouldn't crossfire with an APU.
 
vanthus

vanthus

Member Resting in Peace
kruppsy said:
I should have realised 'hybrid crossfire' is a very general term used by AMD. Where did you dig that up from though? its an old page, its talking about Vista and AMD HD 3000/4000 Series GPUs. But its pretty much what I linked to in #10, saying only certain dedicated cards will work with certain integrated cards. Only mine is more vague with it saying 'recommended pairing', doesn't really tell the whole story and I can't find much more info on what would and wouldn't crossfire with an APU.
Click to expand...
Yes I know it's an old page,I was just trying to explain what I was on about. :)
Sorry,I didn't open the link you posted and as you say it seems it's only possible with certain integrated graphics and dedicated cards,I suppose the OP would need to check the detailed specifications to be sure it's an option.
 
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