AMD A8-6500
AMD processor specifications and benchmark scores
AMD A8-6500 Specifications
A8-6500 Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The AMD A8-6500 features 4 physical cores and 4 threads, which directly impacts multi-threaded performance in CPU benchmarks. More cores allow the processor to handle parallel workloads efficiently, improving performance in video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking scenarios. Thread count determines how many simultaneous tasks the CPU can process, with higher thread counts benefiting productivity applications and content creation workflows.
A8-6500 Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in A8-6500 benchmark performance, measured in GHz. The base clock represents the guaranteed operating frequency, while the boost clock indicates maximum single-core performance under optimal conditions. Higher clock speeds translate to faster single-threaded performance, which is essential for gaming and applications that don't fully utilize multiple cores. The A8-6500 by AMD can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
AMD's A8-6500 Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the A8-6500 processor die. L1 cache provides the fastest access for frequently used data, while L2 and L3 caches offer progressively larger storage with slightly higher latency. Larger cache sizes significantly improve CPU benchmark scores by reducing memory access times. The A8-6500's cache configuration is optimized for both gaming performance and productivity workloads, minimizing data fetch delays during intensive computations.
Piledriver Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The AMD A8-6500 is built on AMD's 32 nm manufacturing process, which determines power efficiency and thermal characteristics. Smaller process nodes allow for more transistors in the same space, enabling higher performance per watt. The architecture defines how the processor handles instructions and manages data flow, directly impacting benchmark results across different workload types. Modern CPU architectures like the one in A8-6500 incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
Piledriver Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The A8-6500 by AMD supports various instruction set extensions that enable optimized performance for specific workloads. SIMD instructions like SSE and AVX accelerate multimedia, scientific computing, and AI workloads by processing multiple data points simultaneously. Features like AES-NI provide hardware-accelerated encryption, while AVX-512 (if supported) enables advanced vector processing for data centers and high-performance computing. These instruction sets are critical for software compatibility and performance in modern applications.
A8-6500 Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The AMD A8-6500 has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 65W, indicating the cooling solution required for sustained operation. TDP affects both system power consumption and the type of cooler needed. Lower TDP processors are ideal for compact builds and laptops, while higher TDP chips typically offer better sustained performance in demanding CPU benchmarks. Understanding power requirements helps ensure your system can deliver consistent performance without thermal throttling.
AMD Socket FM2 Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The A8-6500 uses the AMD Socket FM2 socket, which determines motherboard compatibility. Choosing the right platform is essential for building a system around this processor. The socket type also influences available features like PCIe lanes, memory support, and upgrade paths. When comparing CPU benchmarks, ensure you're looking at processors compatible with your existing or planned motherboard to make informed purchasing decisions.
AMD Socket FM2 Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the A8-6500 define which RAM types and speeds are compatible. Faster memory can significantly improve CPU benchmark performance, especially in memory-intensive applications and gaming. The memory controller integrated into the A8-6500 determines maximum supported speeds and channels. Dual-channel or quad-channel memory configurations can double or quadruple memory bandwidth, providing noticeable performance gains in content creation and scientific workloads.
AMD's A8-6500 Integrated Graphics
Built-in GPU specifications
The AMD A8-6500 includes integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a dedicated GPU in basic computing scenarios. Integrated graphics are ideal for office productivity, video playback, and light gaming. While not designed for demanding GPU benchmarks, the iGPU in the A8-6500 provides hardware video encoding and decoding capabilities. This makes the processor suitable for compact builds, HTPCs, and systems where power efficiency is prioritized over gaming performance.
A8-6500 Product Information
Release and pricing details
The AMD A8-6500 is manufactured by AMD and represents their commitment to delivering competitive CPU performance. Understanding the release date and pricing helps contextualize benchmark comparisons with other processors from the same generation. Launch pricing provides a baseline for evaluating value, though street prices often differ. Whether you're building a new system or upgrading, the A8-6500 by AMD offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within AMD's product lineup.
A8-6500 Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this CPU.
About AMD A8-6500
The AMD A8-6500 belongs to the Richland family of APUs and is built on a 32‑nm process technology. It integrates four integer cores that share a single floating‑point unit, delivering a total of four hardware threads. The chip is designed for the FM2 socket, which was the mainstream desktop platform for AMD’s low‑to‑mid‑range offerings in 2013. With a base frequency of 3.50 GHz, the processor provides a solid foundation for everyday computing tasks. Its architecture combines a modest graphics core with the CPU cores, allowing basic gaming and media playback without a discrete GPU. The A8‑6500’s design emphasizes a balance between cost and performance, targeting budget‑conscious builds. This generation marked AMD’s effort to improve IPC while keeping power consumption in check.
Clock speed is a key differentiator for the A8‑6500, as it can boost up to 4.10 GHz under load. The boost mechanism is triggered by the processor’s power‑management unit, which temporarily raises the frequency when thermal headroom permits. At a thermal design power of 65 W, the chip remains within the envelope of typical mid‑tower coolers, contributing to a quiet system. Energy efficiency is further aided by AMD’s PowerNow! technology, which dynamically scales voltage and frequency to match workload demands. Compared to earlier 45‑nm parts, the 32‑nm node reduces leakage currents, resulting in lower idle power draw. While the lack of official benchmark data makes precise performance ranking difficult, the specifications suggest it competes favorably with contemporary Intel Atom and low‑end Core i3 models. Overall, the processor offers a respectable performance‑per‑watt ratio for entry‑level desktops.
The memory subsystem supports DDR3‑1333/1600 in dual‑channel mode, providing sufficient bandwidth for the integrated graphics and the CPU cores. Dual‑channel operation effectively doubles the data path compared to single‑channel configurations, which is important for texture loading in light gaming scenarios. The A8‑6500’s modest cache hierarchy, consisting of 1 MB L2 cache shared among the cores, works in concert with the memory controller to keep latency manageable. Ideal workloads for this APU include office productivity, web browsing, media streaming, and casual titles that do not demand high frame rates. Home‑theater PC builds also benefit from the built‑in Radeon graphics, allowing 1080p video playback without additional hardware. Users seeking heavy multitasking or demanding 3D applications should consider higher‑tier options, as the four‑core, four‑thread layout limits scalability. In summary, the AMD A8‑6500 by AMD offers a well‑rounded feature set for budget systems, delivering adequate compute and graphics capability within a low‑power envelope.
The Intel Equivalent of A8-6500
Looking for a similar processor from Intel? The Intel Core i5-4570S offers comparable performance and features in the Intel lineup.
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