AMD Announces A8-7670K APU With 10 'Compute Cores' For Value Desktop Segment

AMD has launched its second APU (Accelerated Processing Unit) based on the Godavari architecture, the value-oriented A8-7670K, outfitted with four 'Steamroller' CPU cores and six GPU cores based on the Graphics Core Next architecture used in the company's Radeon R7-class graphics products. AMD defines "compute cores" as either type of core when used with the company's Heterogeneous System Architecture which unifies the memory pools between the CPU and GPU components, allowing them to contribute to the same instructions without having to send them back and forth between each other.

Godavari is a manufacturing refresh of the previous Kaveri architecture, as a result of which AMD has managed to improve clock speeds within the same 95W thermal envelope. The new processor has a base CPU clock speed of 3.6GHz which can go up to 3.9GHz. The GPU cores run at 757MHz, and there is 4MB of L2 cache memory.

AMD is pitching the A8-7670K at entry-level gamers, claiming smooth performance in online multi-player games and eSports titles. The GPU supports the DirectX 12, Vulkan, and Mantle APIs as well as HTML 5 and WebGL graphics acceleration. Multi-monitor configurations are supported, as well as AMD's FreeSync variable refresh-rate scheme that eliminates frame stuttering with a compatible monitor. Another feature inherited from the Radeon line is Virtual Super Resolution, which renders games off-screen at 4K and then downsamples them to the monitor's native resolution for improved sharpness.

The A8-7670K supports native H.264 video encoding and hardware accelerated encryption. The company further says that the A8-7670K should deliver comparable or better performance than an entry-level discrete graphics card paired with an entry-level CPU.

AMD says the product will be available immediately at retail in the United States for $117.99 (approximately Rs. 7,500).