Can somebody tell me what this is?

[chrisjuchniewicz]

What is this? Is this a graphics card or CPU?

Product: AMD A6-3500 Llano 2.1GHz (2.4GHz Max Turbo) Socket FM1 65W Triple-Core Desktop APU (CPU + GPU) with DirectX 11 Graphic AMD Radeon HD 6530D AD3500OJGXBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103951


Why does it say (CPU + GPU)?

I know this is a really dumb question, but clarification would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Chris

 

[americanbrian]

It is a CPU that also has a GPU on the die.

You put this in a FM1 motherboards CPU socket. and you can run the monitor off of the FM1 motherboards video output. It is surprisingly capable when paired with fast system memory... Though I would recommend the A8-3870K instead...

 

[stickg1]

Ah, the APU. Those are pretty cool unless you're planning on doing some CPU extensive tasks or game at really high settings. For a budget build or HTPC that can also game I would recommend one.

But it looks like for $10 more you could get this one:

A6-3670K - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819106002

It features 600MHz higher stock clocks plus an unlocked multiplier to make overclocking just a matter of raising the multiplier. Or for $30 more you can have yet another speed improvement of 900MHz on stock clocks plus a better GPU die with A8-3870K, also featuring an unlocked multiplier.

A8-3870K - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819106001&Tpk=a8-3870k

You can pair these chips with a GPU for dual graphics or a hybrid crossfire, a HD6670 being the most powerful you can pair with it. The result is an improvement but still not as powerful as a $100 HD7750/HD7770. If you were to plan on getting a discrete GPU more powerful than a HD6670 then I would reconsider the CPU (APU) choice altogether and get something like the Phenom II X4 that is faster and has an L3 cache. Or get an Intel.

 

[chrisjuchniewicz]

Thank you very much for the replies! I really appreciate it.

Can you tell me if these three are compatible?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103951

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352009&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-NA-_-NA

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128530


Should I also buy an actual video card?

Also, what kind of power supply should I use?


By the way, I'm trying to build a budget gaming computer. Not too much for the brand new games at max settings. Just something I might be able to run Napoleon: Total War or Civilization 5 on pretty smoothly.


Thanks again!!

 

[stickg1]

Yes those all work but like I said before, for $10 more you can get the A6-3670K that is about 25% faster stock and supports overclocking. The overclocks I have seen it capable of would make it about 65% faster for $10 more, seems like a no brainer. Also instead of the A55 motherboard I would try to spring for an A75 motherboard with SATAIII support. A power supply? Depends on if you want to add a GPU or not but a 380w Antec Earthwatts would be plenty. You should try to add an HD6670 to the mix for better gaming performance, should run about $60.

 

[chrisjuchniewicz]

Thank you! Can you link one of the A75's for me? I think I'll go with the A6-3670K and overclock it.

 

[stickg1]

I like this one, well it's the cheapest but decent A75 I could find.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157260

 

[chrisjuchniewicz]

Best answer selected by chrisjuchniewicz.