AMD A4 4000 Dual Core Processor (APU) Review

Probably the most under-rated processor this year, the AMD A4 4000 APU is actually a really good processor.

AMD A4 4000 Dual Core Processor (APU) Review

Saw the image above? It’s powered by my PSU that’s more than 5 years old. It’s a 150w PSU from Sunbeam and it powered the rig with 2 drives and a few fans just fine.

Let’s move on to the good bits.

Test Setup

Processor AMD A4 4000
RAM Avexir Core Series 8GB DDR3-1600 / 4GB Kingston Value RAM DDR3 1333.
Motherboard Asrock FM2A85X-ITX
Cooler Stock Cooler
Monitor 40″ LCD TV
Power Supply Cooler Master GX 750W
Casing Cooler Master N200
Drives 60GB Intel 330 series SSD, 1TB Western Digital Slim HDD
Operating System Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
Driver AMD Catalyst 13.4

Below are the details of the CPU and IGP

AMD A4 4000 Dual Core Processor (APU) Review

AMD A4 4000 Dual Core Processor (APU) Review

In reference to the AMD processor list ….. I think AMD needs a sledgehammer on the head for not listing this processor there. 😛 Even the A10-6800K isn’t listed! Ohmai AMD – what have you been doing!??!

No product page link this time.

Benchmark

Starting off with Processor tests…

PC Mark 8

Below are the details of the Creative test used – A4 4000 vs A10 6800K

AMD A4 4000 Dual Core Processor (APU) Review

Then the video test…

x264 – 10bit to 8bit Video Conversion

The source video is a 720p MKV file that is 90 seconds in duration. x264 settings at the slowest.

AMD A4 4000 957 seconds
AMD A10 6800K 407 seconds

I kid you not. It’s really that far behind.

Now moving on, the GPU test.

Graphics Benchmark

Due to the APU’s graphic processor being on the weaker side, I tested with various resolutions and detail settings to give you a better idea on what the APU can do. Fortunately this time, the setting of Dual Graphics worked without a hitch.

Unigine Heaven 4.0

Heaven 4.0
*720 Low = no AA, no tessalation, low details.

Card 720p LOW(avg) 720p (avg)
A4 4000 24.2 6.2
A10 6800K 43.8 14.1

It’s not that bad actually, have a look at the video below.

The camera recorded video is to show the machine (lower left side) and the FRAPS number. I’m not using FRAPS to record the video because this really isn’t the processor that one should do recording with. 😛

The System : AMD A4-4000 on Asrock FM2A85X-ITX (mini-ITX) board with 4GB Kingston Value RAM DDR3 1333.

Running an Intel 60GB 330 Series SSD and a 1TB Western Digital Blue Slim HDD, the system is powered by a 150w (yes, you read that right) PSU from SunbeamTech that’s about half a decade old. 🙂

Temperature

Here’s the temperature test for the both Richland unit.

Card Idle(°C) Load (°C)
A4 4000 43 71
A10 6800K 29 60

I have no explanation for the above. They were tested with the same setup, same environment.

The Verdict

The A4-4000 is priced at around RM 170, pair it with a decent board and it still costs you less than RM 400, slap on 2x 4GB DDR3 1600Mhz RAM and it’s still under RM 600!

The A4-4000 is listed on Newegg.com at $45.99, comes to about RM 150. Pretty good price if that’s the latest price in Malaysia.

goldfries recommended

Yes, you saw that right. It’s a lovely processor, I have no problem recommending it for really low cost gaming setup. Not every game is graphically demanding. If you’re with 720p resolution with reduced details AND insist on keeping the cost low then I highly recommend using the A4 4000 APU.