Graphics performance
So, it is obvious that sheer computing is
not counted among the Trinity's fortes. AMD itself agrees, emphasizing the
power of integrated Radeon HD graphics core, available in the entire Socket FM2
APU family, as the main selling point of Socket FM2 platform. Intel's approach
is different: Core i3-3225 is an inexpensive Ivy Bridge processor to feature an
advanced integrated graphics core whereas the other models do not promise high
3D graphics performance.
For a general overview of relative 3D
graphics performance of the heterogeneous Trinity and Ivy Bridge processors, we
will check them out in Futuremark 3DMark 2011. Graphics cores in modern
processors are compatible with DirectX 11 and have no problem running this
benchmark.
Futuremark
3DMark 2011
The scenario that we see in the graph is
completely different from what we have seen in the computing performance
testing. Intel processors are slow while AMD's solutions are faster than their
opponents many times. HD Graphics 4000, the fastest modification of Intel
integrated graphics core, can only match the performance of the Radeon HD 7480D
available in the Trinity's junior model. Intel CPUs with HD Graphics 2500 or HD
Graphics are 50% slower and more thus cannot compete with the Socket FM2
platform in this benchmark at all..
However, it should be noted that
high-performance graphics core does not make it become a better hybrid
processor. It is the balance between the computing parts and 3D graphics that's
important. We can check this by benchmarking the processors in real-life game.
There are two testing modes: Full-HD resolution (1,920x1,080 pixels) with low
graphics settings and 1,366x768 pixels with medium settings.
1366x768
pixels with medium settings.
Full-HD
resolution (1920x1080 pixels) with low graphics settings
High-performance
graphics core does not make it become a better hybrid processor
Intel
processors are slow while AMD's solutions are faster than their opponents many
times
Intel
CPUs with HD Graphics 2500 or HD Graphics are 50% slower and more
Hitman
Sleeping
dogs, 1366x768 MQ
Sleeping
dogs, 1920x768 MQ
Although results may vary from individual
game, it's pretty easy to see the overall perspective. AMD A10 series offers
the highest performance in this type of application. Radeon HD 7660D graphics
core can be viewed as the equivalent of a graphics card for the new user
because it can guarantee a frame rate in Full HD resolution. Of course, you
will have to compromise a little in terms of image quality, but you also have
to do this with discrete graphics cards which are reasonably priced.
For Core i3-3225 with its Intel HD 4000
Graphics, this CPU turned out to be slower than the leading solution of the
Socket FM2 platform. Intel's integrated graphics core has much lower
performance whereas the high computing performance cannot make up for this
deficiency. As a result, Core i3-3225 is generally not oly inferior to AMD A10
but also even with AMD A8 with Radeon HD 7650D. Intel HD Graphics 4000 is
obviously not as good as Radeon HD 7540D from the APU AMD A6-5400K, but the
dual-core Trinity is too slow from the perspective of integrated processors, so
Core i3-3225 is often ahead of AMD's A4 and A6 model in the real-life game.
By the way, we were surprised to detect the
junior Trinity product has a few compatibility issues, regardless of the
announced support for the latest DirectX. Specifically, the sandbox game Sleeping
Dogs refused to run on the A6 and A4 series in our experiment. Intel
graphics core often has compatibility issues with a few 3D games in the past,
this aspect has improved and now it seems there are no such problems. It seems
that Intel has made a big step forward in adapting its core graphics
environment for modern software with the release of Ivy Bridge and the latest
drivers.
In summary, we can say that among hybrid
processors the AMD A8 and A10 series, with a few reservations, Core i3-3225 can
be considered as suitable for gaming applications. The other CPUs with
integrated graphics core can hardly be used for entry-level desktop gaming
systems due to their lack of performance.
An integrated graphics core is not limited
to gaming, though. It can be used for other types of applications we will
discuss in the next section.
