Socket FM2, A85X Chipset, Test Specs

Every bit excited as we are for the new Trinity APUs, we tin can't help but be disappointed that they require a new socket that isn't backwards compatible -- unlike what we take seen with the AM2/AM2+ and AM3. Although the FM1 and the new FM2 sockets wait very like, they aren't pin uniform, so users currently working with Socket-FM1 systems are unable to upgrade to Trinity without having to replace their motherboard likewise.

Whereas the FM1 socket but saw a unmarried generation of APUs, nosotros believe AMD is going to release at least one more than generation after Trinity for the FM2 platform, which makes investing in it a lot safer for budget users.

Although the FM1 and FM2 sockets aren't compatible, yous will still find FM2 boards using the existing A55 and A75 chipsets. Given that the features offered past these 2 chipsets are still very current, such as full SATA 6Gb/s back up and native USB 3.0 for the A75, it makes sense for AMD to carry them over. However, AMD has also developed a new performance-orientated chipset known equally the A85X which most notably brings Crossfire back up to the table.

Additionally, compared to the A75, the new A85X chipset also delivers two more SATA 6Gb/due south ports for a grand total of viii. USB support remains the same as the A75, leaving the A85X with four USB 3.0 ports, ten USB 2.0 ports and a pair of older USB 1.1 ports.

Test System Specs

FM2 Test System Specs
- AMD A10-5800K (3.80GHz)
- x2 4GB G.Skill DDR3 PC3-12800 (CAS 8-eight-8-xx)
- Asus F2 A85-M Pro (A85X)
- GeForce GTX 580 (1536MB)
- OCZ ZX Serial 850w
- Crucial RealSSD C300 256GB
Software
- Microsoft Windows vii Ultimate 64-bit
- Nvidia Forceware 306.23
- AMD Catalyst 12.nine

FM1 Test Organization Specs
- AMD A8-3850 (2.90GHz)
- x2 4GB G.Skill DDR3 PC3-12800 (CAS 8-viii-8-20)
- Asrock A75 Pro4 (A75)
- GeForce GTX 580 (1536MB)
- OCZ ZX Series 850w
- Crucial RealSSD C300 256GB
Software
- Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
- Nvidia Forceware 306.23
- AMD Catalyst 12.9

AM3 Test Organization Specs
- AMD Phenom II X6 1100T (three.30GHz)
- AMD Phenom 2 X4 980 (3.70GHz)
- AMD Athlon Ii X4 640 (three.00GHz)
- x2 4GB 1000.Skill DDR3 PC3-12800 (CAS eight-eight-8-20)
- Asrock 890GX Extreme4 R2.0 (AMD 890GX)
- GeForce GTX 580 (1536MB)
- OCZ ZX Serial 850w
- Crucial RealSSD C300 256GB
Software
- Microsoft Windows vii Ultimate 64-bit
- Nvidia Forceware 306.23
- AMD Catalyst 12.9

LGA1155 Test System Specs
- Intel Core i7-2600K (3.40GHz)
- Intel Core i5-2500K (iii.30GHz)
- Intel Core i5-3470 (3.20GHz)
- Intel Core i3-3220 (3.30GHz)
- x2 4GB G.Skill DDR3 PC3-12800 (CAS 8-viii-8-20)
- Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3iSSD (Intel Z68)
- Asrock Z68 Extreme4 (Intel Z68)
- OCZ ZX Series 850w
- Crucial RealSSD C300 256GB
- GeForce GTX 580 (1536MB)
Software
- Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-chip
- Nvidia Forceware 306.23
- Intel Hard disk drive Graphics 15.26.12.64.2761

LGA1366 Test Organisation Specs
- Intel Core i7 920 (2.66GHz)
- x3 2GB G.Skill DDR3 PC3-12800 (CAS 8-8-8-20)
- Asus P6T Deluxe (Intel X58)
- OCZ ZX Series 850w
- Crucial RealSSD C300 256GB
- GeForce GTX 580 (1536MB)
Software
- Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
- Nvidia Forceware 306.23

LGA1156 Test System Specs
- Intel Core i5 750 (2.66GHz)
- x2 4GB G.Skill DDR3 PC3-12800 (CAS viii-8-8-twenty)
- Asus P7P55D-E Premium (Intel P55)
- GeForce GTX 580 (1536MB)
- OCZ ZX Serial 850w
- Crucial RealSSD C300 256GB
Software
- Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
- Nvidia Forceware 306.23