AMD A10-4655M
AMD A10-4655M: Review and Recommendations for Users in 2025
April 2025
Introduction
The AMD A10-4655M is a processor from the APU (Accelerated Processing Unit) era, released in 2012. Despite its age, devices featuring this chip are still found in budget laptops and ultrabooks in 2025. This article will explore who this model is suitable for, what tasks it can handle, and whether it is worth considering in today’s market.
Architecture and Process Technology
Trinity Features
The AMD A10-4655M belongs to the Trinity generation, created using a 32nm process technology. It features a hybrid architecture combining 4 CPU cores (Piledriver) and an integrated Radeon HD 7620G graphics unit on a single chip.
- CPU: 4 cores, 4 threads (no Hyper-Threading support). Base frequency is 2.0 GHz, with a maximum turbo frequency of 2.8 GHz.
- iGPU: The Radeon HD 7620G graphics unit has 384 shader processors and a frequency of 497 MHz. It supports DirectX 11 and OpenGL 4.2.
The standout feature of Trinity is its emphasis on energy efficiency and multimedia capabilities. However, by 2025, the architecture is outdated: it lacks support for modern AVX2 instructions, and single-threaded performance lags behind even budget Intel Core i3 processors from the 12th generation.
Power Consumption and TDP
25W: Balancing Power and Longevity
With a TDP of 25W, the A10-4655M can be used in thin laptops and ultrabooks. For comparison:
- Modern Intel Core i5-U (15W) has higher efficiency thanks to the 10nm process technology.
- Apple M1 (10W) offers revolutionary power consumption with a similar TDP.
Pros:
- Suitable for passive cooling (no fan required for light tasks).
- Minimal body heating.
Cons:
- Low performance per watt due to the 32nm process technology.
Real-World Performance
Office and Multimedia
- Office Applications (Word, Excel): Operates smoothly, but takes longer to open heavy files (for example, Excel spreadsheets over 100MB).
- Web Surfing: Opening 10+ tabs in Chrome is possible but may lead to some stuttering.
Multimedia
- Video: Can handle 4K@30fps (with hardware decoding), but for 4K@60fps or HDR, an external graphics card is required.
- Photo Editors: Lightroom and Photoshop will run, but processing RAW files will take 2-3 times longer than on the Ryzen 3 5300U.
Gaming
- Casual Games: Minecraft (40-50 FPS on low settings), Dota 2 (720p, 30 FPS).
- Modern Titles: Even Fortnite at minimum settings will run at less than 20 FPS.
Turbo Core
Automatic overclocking to 2.8 GHz activates only when 1-2 cores are under load. In multi-threaded scenarios (such as video rendering), the frequency drops to 2.4 GHz.
Use Scenarios
Who is the A10-4655M Suitable for in 2025?
1. Students: For working with texts, presentations, and online courses.
2. Office Workers: Basic tasks and video conferences.
3. Home Media Centers: Watching movies and streaming.
Who Should Avoid It:
- Gamers.
- Designers and video editors.
- Users of heavy software (such as CAD programs).
Battery Life
How does TDP Affect Runtime?
With a battery capacity of 40Wh, a laptop with the A10-4655M will last:
- 6-7 hours in reading/video playback mode.
- 3-4 hours with heavy usage (Chrome + Office).
Power-Saving Technologies:
- AMD PowerNow!: Dynamic adjustment of frequency and voltage.
- CoolCore: Disabling unused CPU blocks.
Advice: Opt for models with a battery capacity of at least 50Wh for 8+ hours of battery life.
Comparison with Competitors
AMD vs Intel vs Apple
AMD A10-4655M:
- Year of Release: 2012
- Process Technology: 32nm
- Graphics: Radeon HD 7620G
- Geekbench 6 Single: 265
- Laptop Price: $300-400
Intel Core i5-1235U:
- Year of Release: 2022
- Process Technology: 10nm
- Graphics: Iris Xe (80 EU)
- Geekbench 6 Single: 1500
- Laptop Price: $600-800
Apple M1:
- Year of Release: 2020
- Process Technology: 5nm
- Graphics: Apple M1 GPU
- Geekbench 6 Single: 2200
- Laptop Price: $900+
Conclusion: The A10-4655M falls short even against budget models from the 2020s but excels in pricing.
Pros and Cons
Strengths:
- Low cost of laptops (starting at $300).
- Adequate performance for basic tasks.
- Compact and quiet operation.
Weaknesses:
- Outdated architecture.
- Weak graphics for gaming.
- Lack of support for modern standards (USB-C, Wi-Fi 6).
Laptop Selection Recommendations
Types of Devices
1. Ultrabooks: ASUS ZenBook or Lenovo IdeaPad with a 13-14 inch screen.
2. Budget Laptops: HP Pavilion, Acer Aspire 3.
What to Look For:
- RAM: At least 8GB DDR3.
- Storage: An SSD is a must (even 128GB is better than HDD).
- Screen: Full HD (avoid models with 1366x768 resolution).
Prices: New devices with the A10-4655M in 2025 retail for $300-450.
Final Conclusion
The AMD A10-4655M is a processor for budget laptops that can handle:
- Office applications.
- Video playback and web surfing.
- Use as a secondary device for travel.
Key Benefits:
- Low price.
- Good battery life.
- Compact design.
However, for serious tasks (gaming, editing, programming), it is advisable to choose a laptop with a processor released no earlier than 2020.
If you’re looking for a "holdover" device until purchasing a flagship, the A10-4655M fits the bill. Nonetheless, for long-term use in 2025, it is already outdated.