Question about apus vs cpus

[Ultimate Ronin]

So I was wondering when installing an apu does an apu take tons of configuration and work to have it work properly since it's a gpu and a cpu combo vs a standard cpu which simply just plugs right in and quickly installs its drivers and ready to use? I have a cpu right now but im wondering about apus.

 

[razer switch]

most cpus are apus. apu is just the name amd gives to its cpu + gpu combo. most intel processors are actually apus by this definition because they have both a cpu and a gpu. Also, if you dont want to install divers for the apu, you choose not to do that. The only non apu cpu is the amd fx cpus

 

[bicycle_repair_man]

An APU slots into the motherboard and works just like a CPU, there's no configuration required besides driver installation.

An APU is ideal for a small form factor PC that requires decent graphical performance but can't accommodate a dedicated graphics card. An HTPC with Minecraft on the side is a good example of where an APU works best. If your gaming is more serious then an APU isn't for you, as the compromise of graphical and processing power becomes a bottleneck.

Another important consideration is that APUs don't have dedicated on-board memory. Instead, they use system RAM. In order to get the most out of an APU the RAM speed needs to be faster than usual; 2100Mhz is a good speed.

 

[Ultimate Ronin]

An APU slots into the motherboard and works just like a CPU, there's no configuration required besides driver installation.

An APU is ideal for a small form factor PC that requires decent graphical performance but can't accommodate a dedicated graphics card. An HTPC with Minecraft on the side is a good example of where an APU works best. If your gaming is more serious then an APU isn't for you, as the compromise of graphical and processing power becomes a bottleneck.

Another important consideration is that APUs don't have dedicated on-board memory. Instead, they use system RAM. In order to get the most out of an APU the RAM speed needs to be faster than usual; 2100Mhz is a good speed.

Here is the thing I just recently installed AMDS APU which is an A10 7870k and I keep getting blue screens it's been happening for about 4 days now. Now I have 1 stick of 8 GBs of RAM @ 1600mhz would that cause blue screens because I know you said 2100mhz for RAM . And also I'm using a gtx 960 aside with the apu. I also have typed in all the codes and tried hot fixes nothing is working. also all drivers for the APU are installed and are from AMDS website. I thought that maybe since this is an APU im just not configuring things correctly and that's why i'm getting blue screens. I also took it to geek squad and they said everything looks to be configured fine. Do you think the APU is defective? It's brand new so it would be a factory defect if it is.

 

[bicycle_repair_man]

A BSOD is caused by a software failure within the Windows kernel or a failure of the hardware itself. When you get a BSOD can you see what the STOP code and associated message is?

When you installed the GTX 960 did you disable the APU's integrated graphics? I also assume that the motherboard natively supports the A10 7870K and doesn't require a BIOS flash?

 

[Ultimate Ronin]

A BSOD is caused by a software failure within the Windows kernel or a failure of the hardware itself. When you get a BSOD can you see what the STOP code and associated message is?

When you installed the GTX 960 did you disable the APU's integrated graphics? I also assume that the motherboard natively supports the A10 7870K and doesn't require a BIOS flash?

it gave me a bunch of stop codes which were 0x0000000b then 0x00000000a then 0x000000019 i had a lot of blue screens. and yes I did disable the APUs graphics. actually I would say about a minute after I disabled it I got a blue screen. and i'm pretty sure my motherboard supports the resolution. And i'm not sure what a bios flash is.

 

[bicycle_repair_man]

If the BSODs have occurred since the installation of the APU then that's where I'd start. Which model of motherboard do you have?

 

[Montblanchill]

Hm.. Whilst not completely clear, there may be some compatibility issues here with the mobo and the APU.

Worth checking that your motherboard can support that model of APU (Even if it is the same socket type, newer chips may not be correctly recognised).

If this is the problem, the motherboard manufacturer may offer an updated bios which will then allow the board to function correctly with the new chip. Think of these like new drivers for the motherboard almost. These normally require the removal of the old bios, or depending on the manufacturer, just installation of the updated version. This is generally done with a USB stick, though you will need access to a working PC somewhere to download them first.

 

[Ultimate Ronin]

If the BSODs have occurred since the installation of the APU then that's where I'd start. Which model of motherboard do you have?

My motherboard is an Asus A88XM-A

 

[Ultimate Ronin]

Hm.. Whilst not completely clear, there may be some compatibility issues here with the mobo and the APU.

Worth checking that your motherboard can support that model of APU (Even if it is the same socket type, newer chips may not be correctly recognised).

If this is the problem, the motherboard manufacturer may offer an updated bios which will then allow the board to function correctly with the new chip. Think of these like new drivers for the motherboard almost. These normally require the removal of the old bios, or depending on the manufacturer, just installation of the updated version. This is generally done with a USB stick, though you will need access to a working PC somewhere to download them first.

Oh man I think I just found the problem I haven't updated my bios since 2013

 

[bicycle_repair_man]

That motherboard supports the 7870K with BIOS revision 2204, so make sure that's what you have.

 

[Ultimate Ronin]

That motherboard supports the 7870K with BIOS revision 2204, so make sure that's what you have.

The version I have updated to is 2301 Which is the latest version. Is that ok or do I need to update to 2204?

 

[bicycle_repair_man]

As long as the BIOS revision is at least 2204 then you'll be fine. Just don't update to a beta or unstable revision.