AMD Kaveri Review: A8-7600 and A10-7850K Tested
by Ian Cutress & Rahul Garg on January 14, 2014 8:00 AM ESTCPU Performance
I often make a big song and dance about real world benchmarks being the main focus of a reviewer. Synthetics often stress parts of the CPU and distort advantages that a CPU might have and thus not affect you or me in the same manner when using the machine normally. For 2014 I have updated my usual benchmarking set, to include more video encoding and an image converter that takes 2D images and performs algorithms to convert the data into a 3D model. Some 2013 benchmarks are still here, showing what can be done, and to bring parity to previous CPU reviews, some synthetics are also included.
Agisoft Photoscan v1.0 - link
Our new main benchmark to AnandTech is provided by Agisoft. Their Photoscan software creates 3D models from 2D images, a process which is very computationally expensive. The algorithm is split into four distinct phases, and different phases of the model reconstruction require either fast memory, fast IPC, more cores, or even OpenCL compute devices to hand. Agisoft supplied us with a special version of the software to script the process, where we take 50 images of a stately home and convert it into a medium quality model. This benchmark typically takes around 15-20 minutes on a high end PC on the CPU alone, with GPUs reducing the time.
AMD suffers in overall time due to the lack of full-blooded cores and the reliance on single threaded performance in certain parts of the algorithm.
The second stage of the benchmark can be accelerated by the IGP of an APU, and as a result we can see the power of the high end APUs for this work can outshine any CPU we tested today. This is really the promise of HSA, it's just going to take a while to get there for most apps.
3D Particle Movement - link
3DPM is a self-penned benchmark, taking basic 3D movement algorithms used in Brownian Motion simulations and testing them for speed. High floating point performance, MHz and IPC wins in the single thread version, whereas the multithread version has to handle the threads and loves more cores.
AMD is still suffering a lack of FP performance in our 3DPM benchmark.
WinRAR 5.01 - link
Our WinRAR test from 2013 is updated to the latest version of WinRAR at the start of 2014. We compress a set of 2867 files across 320 folders totaling 1.52 GB in size – 95% of these files are small typical website files, and the rest (90% of the size) are small 30 second 720p videos.
WinRAR loves IPC from the high end Intel chips, but even against the older i5-2500K there is still a deficit. The 45W Kaveri APU however is within fighting distance of its main rival.
FastStone Image Viewer 4.9 - link
Similarly to WinRAR, the FastStone test us updated for 2014 to the latest version. FastStone is the program I use to perform quick or bulk actions on images, such as resizing, adjusting for color and cropping. In our test we take a series of 170 images in various sizes and formats and convert them all into 640x480 .gif files, maintaining the aspect ratio. FastStone does not use multithreading for this test, and thus single threaded performance is often the winner.
FastStone wants single threaded performance, so Intel wins here again.
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eanazag - Wednesday, January 15, 2014 - link
In reference to the no FX versions, I don't think that will change. I think we are stuck with it indefinitely. From the AMD server roadmap and info in this article related to process, I believe that the Warsaw procs will be a die shrink to 12/16 because the GF 28nm process doesn't help clocks. The current clocks on the 12/16 procs already suck so they might stay the same or better because of the TDP reduction at that core count, but it doesn't benefit in the 8 core or less pile driver series. Since AMD has needed to drive CPU clock way higher to compensate for a lack of IPC and the 28 nm process hurts clocks, I am expecting to not see anything for FX at all. Only thing that could change that is if a process at other than GF would make a good fit for a die shrink. I still doubt they will be doing any more changes to the FX series at the high end.So to me, this might force me to consider only Intel for my next build because I am still running discrete GPUs in desktop and I want at least 8 core (AMD equivalent in Intel) performance CPUs in my main system. I will likely go with a #2 Haswell chip. I am not crazy about paying $300 for a CPU, but $200-300 is okay.
I would not be surprised to see an FX system with 2P like the original FX. The server roadmap is showing that. This would essentially be two Kaveri's and maybe crossfire between the two procs. That sounds slightly interesting if I could ratchet up the TDP for the CPU. It does sound like a Bitcoin beast.
britjh22 - Wednesday, January 15, 2014 - link
I think there are some interesting points to be made about Kaveri, but I think the benchmarks really fall short of pointing to some possibly interesting data. Some of the things I got from this:1. The 7850k is too expensive for the performance it currently offers (no proliferation of HSA), and the people comparing it to cheaper CPU/dGPU are correct. However to say Kaveri fails based on that particular price comparison is a failure to see what else is here, and the article does point that out somewhat.
2. The 45W part does seem to be the best spot at the moment for price to performance, possibly indicating that more iGPU resources don't give up much benefit without onboard cache like crystalwell/Iris Pro. However, putting the 4770R in amongst the benches is no super useful due to the price and lack of availability, not to mention it not being socketed.
3. The gaming benchmarks may be the standard for AT, but they really don't do an effective job to either prove or disprove AMD's claims for gaming performance. Plenty of people will (and have looking at the comments) say they have failed at 1080p gaming scores based on 1080p extreme settings. Even some casual experimentation to see what is actually achievable at 1080p would be helpful and informative.
4. I think the main target for these systems isn't really being addressed by the review, which may be difficult to do in a score/objective way, but I think it would be useful. I think of systems like this, and more based off the 65W/45W parts as great mainstream parts. For that price ($100-130ish) you would be looking at an i3 with iGP, or a lower feature pentium part with a low end dGPU. I think at this level you get a lot more from your money with AMD. You have a system which one aspect will not become inadequate before the other (CPU vs GPU), how many relatives do we know where they have an older computer with enough CPU grunt, but not enough GPU grunt. I've seen quite a few where the Intel integrated was just good enough at the time of launch, but a few years down the road would need a dGPU or more major system upgrade. A system with the A8-7600 would be well rounded for a long time, and down the road could add a mid grade dGPU for good gaming performance. I believe it was an article on here that recently showed even just an A8 was quite sufficient for high detail 1080p when paired with a mid to high range card.
5. As was referenced another review and in the comments, a large chunk of steam users are currently being served by iGPU's which are worse then this. These are the people who play MMO's, free to play games, source games, gMod games, DOTA2/LoL, indie games, and things like Hearthstone. For them, and most users that these should be aimed at, the A10-7850K (at current pricing) is not a winner, and they would probably be better (value) or equally (performance) served by the A8-7600. This is a problem with review sites, including AT, which tend to really look at the high end of the market. This is because the readership (myself included) is interested for personal decision making, and the manufacturer's provide these products as, performance wise, they are the most flattering. However, I think some of the most interesting and prolific advances are happening in the middle market. The review does a good job of pointing that out with the performance charts at 45W, however I think some exploration into what was mentioned in point #3 would really help to flesh this out. Anand's evaluation for CPU advances slowing down in his Mac Pro is a great example of this, and really points out how HSA could be a major advancement. I upgraded from a Q6600 to a 3570K, and don't see any reasons coming up to make a change any time soon, CPU's have really become somewhat stagnant at the high end of performance. Hopefully AMD's gains at the 45W level can pan out into some great APU's in laptops for AMD, for all the users for games like the above mentioned.
fteoath64 - Sunday, January 19, 2014 - link
As consumers, our problem with the prices inching upwards in the mid-range is that Intel is not supplying enough models of the i3 range within the price point of AMD APU (mid to highest models). This means the prices are well segmented in the market such that they will not change giving excuse for slight increases as we have seen with Richland parts. It seems like lack of competition in the segment ranges indicate a cartel like behaviour in the x86 market.AMD is providing the best deal in a per transistor basis while consumers expects their cpu performance to ran on par with Intel. That is not going to happen as Intel's gpu inprovement inches closer to AMD. With HSA, the tables have turned for AMD and Intel with Nvidia certain will have to respond some time in the future. This is come when the software changes for HSA makes a significant improvement in overall performance for AMD APUs. We shall see but I am hopeful.
woogitboogity - Wednesday, January 15, 2014 - link
Ah AMD... to think that in the day of thunderbird they were once the under-appreciated underdog where the performance was. The rebel against the P4 and it's unbelievably impractical pipeline architecture.Bottom line is Intel still needs them as anti-trust suit insurance... with this SoC finally getting off the ground is anyone else wondering whether Intel was less aggressive with their own SoC stuff as a "AMD doggy/gimp treat"? Still nice to able to recommend a processor without worrying about the onboard graphics when they are on chip.
Hrel - Wednesday, January 15, 2014 - link
"do any AnandTech readers have an interest in an even higher end APU with substantially more graphics horsepower? Memory bandwidth obviously becomes an issue, but the real question is how valuable an Xbox One/PS4-like APU would be to the community."I think as a low end Steam Box that'd be GREAT! I'm not sure the approach Valve is looking to take with steam boxes, but if there's no "build your own" option then it doesn't make sense to sell it to us. Makes a lot more sense for them to do that and just sell the entire "console" directly to consumers. Or, through a reseller, but then I become concerned with additional markup from middlemen.
tanishalfelven - Wednesday, January 15, 2014 - link
You can install steamos on whatever computer you want... even one you built your self or one you already own. I'd personally think a pc based on something like this processor would be significantly less expensive (i can imagine 300 bucks) and maybe even faster. And more importantly with things like humble bundle it'd be much much cheaper in the games department...tanishalfelven - Wednesday, January 15, 2014 - link
i am wrong on faster than ps4 however, point standsJBVertexx - Wednesday, January 15, 2014 - link
As always, very good writeup, although I must confess that it took me a few attempts to get thru the HSA feel dive! Still, it was a much needed education, so I appreciate that.I have had to digest this, as I was initially really dissappointed at the lack of progress on the CPU front, but after reading through all the writeups I could find, I thinks the real story here is about the A8-7600 and opening up new markets for advanced PC based gaming.
If you think about it, that is where the incentive is for game developers to develop for Mantle. Providing the capability for someone who already has or would purchase an advanced discrete GPU to play with equal performance on an APU provides zero economic incentive for game developers.
However, if AMD can successfully open up as advanced gaming to the mass, low cost PC market, even if that performance is substandard by "enthudiast" standards, then that does provide huge economic incentive for developers, because the cost of entry to play your game has just gone down significantly, potentially opening up a vast new customer base.
With Steam really picking up "steam", with the consoles on PC tech, and with the innovative thinking going on at AMD, I have come around to thinking this is all really good stuff for PC gaming. And it's really the only path to adoption that AMD can take. I for one am hoping they're successful.
captianpicard - Wednesday, January 15, 2014 - link
I doubt Kaveri was ever intended for us, the enthusiast community. The people whom Kaveri was intended for are not the type that would read a dozen CPU/GPU reviews and then log on to newegg to price out an optimal FPS/$ rig. Instead, they would be more inclined to buy reasonably priced prebuilt PCs with the hope that they'd be able to do some light gaming in addition to the primary tasks of web browsing, checking email, watching videos on youtube/netflix, running office, etc.Nothing really up till now has actually fulfilled that niche, and done it well, IMO. Lots of machines from dell, HP, etc. have vast CPU power but horrendous GPU performance. Kaveri offers a balanced solution at an affordable price, in a small footprint. So you could put it into a laptop or a smart tv or all in one pc and be able to get decent gaming performance. Relatively speaking, of course.
izmanq - Wednesday, January 15, 2014 - link
why put i7 4770 with discrete HD 6750 in the integrated GPU performance charts ? :|