AMD PRO A10-8770

AMD PRO A10-8770: Detailed Review of a Budget Processor from 2025

Updated: April 2025

Introduction

The AMD PRO A10-8770 processor, released in 2016, is still found in budget builds due to its affordability and integrated graphics. However, its relevance in 2025 raises questions. Let’s find out who this chip is suitable for and what tasks it can handle.

1. Key Specifications

Architecture and Process Technology

The A10-8770 is built on the Excavator microarchitecture (codename Carrizo) with a 28 nm manufacturing process. This is already an outdated standard: modern processors from AMD and Intel use 7–10 nm.

- 4 cores/4 threads with a base frequency of 3.5 GHz and turbo mode up to 3.8 GHz.

- TDP 65 W — energy efficiency comparable to office PCs.

- Integrated Radeon R7 graphics with 8 GPU cores (512 stream processors) and a frequency of 800 MHz.

Key Features:

- Support for Virtualization Technology.

- AMD PowerNow! energy-saving technologies.

- Built-in memory controller and PCIe 3.0 (8 lanes).

Performance (Geekbench 6):

- Single-Core: 634 — comparable to Intel Core i3-6100 (2015).

- Multi-Core: 1540 — weaker than modern 4-core processors by 2–3 times.

2. Compatible Motherboards

Socket and Chipsets

The processor uses the FM2+ socket, limiting motherboard options to outdated models.

- Compatible chipsets: A68H, A78, A88X.

- Example motherboards:

- ASUS A68HM-K ($45–60) — basic features, 2 DDR3 slots.

- Gigabyte GA-F2A88XM-D3H ($55–70) — RAID support, USB 3.0.

Selection Tips:

- Check for BIOS updates for compatibility with Carrizo.

- Most boards only have 2–4 SATA slots and lack M.2 for NVMe.

3. Supported Memory

The A10-8770 works with DDR3-2133 MHz in dual-channel mode.

- Max capacity: 64 GB (theoretically), but most boards support up to 32 GB.

- Recommendations:

- Use 2 modules of 8 GB (for example, Kingston HyperX Fury DDR3-1866, $25 each).

- Avoid DDR3L (low-voltage) — potential compatibility issues.

Important: DDR4 and DDR5 are not supported — this is a major drawback for upgrades.

4. Power Supply Units

With a TDP of 65 W, the processor does not require a powerful PSU.

- System without a discrete graphics card: a 300–350 W PSU is sufficient (for example, be quiet! Pure Power 11 350W, $45).

- With a GTX 1650 level graphics card: choose a PSU 450–500 W (Corsair CX450, $55).

Tips:

- Don’t skimp on the PSU — cheap models can damage components.

- Consider 80+ Bronze certification or higher.

5. Pros and Cons

Pros:

- Low price ($50–70 for new units).

- Integrated graphics for undemanding games.

- Energy efficiency for office tasks.

Cons:

- Outdated 28 nm manufacturing process.

- No support for DDR4, PCIe 4.0, USB 3.1.

- Limited upgrade potential (FM2+ platform is dead).

6. Use Cases

Office Tasks

- Working with documents, browsers, Zoom. Example: build with A10-8770 + 8 GB DDR3 + 240 GB SSD — budget up to $200.

Multimedia

- Watching videos in 1080p/4K (with hardware decoding for H.264). For H.265/VP9, an external player will be needed.

Gaming

- Integrated graphics: CS:GO on low settings (40–50 FPS), Dota 2 (30 FPS).

- With a discrete graphics card: GTX 1050 Ti — Fortnite at 720p/Medium (60 FPS).

7. Comparison with Competitors

AMD Athlon X4 845 (2016)

- Pros: Newer Excavator architecture, higher IPC.

- Cons: No integrated graphics. Price: $40–50.

Intel Core i5-6500 (2015)

- Pros: Better single-thread performance (Geekbench 6 Single-Core ~1200).

- Cons: More expensive ($80–100), requires a discrete graphics card.

Conclusion: A10-8770 is only beneficial if integrated graphics and minimal budget are priorities.

8. Assembly Tips

1. SSD Required: Kingston A400 240 GB ($30) will speed up system boot times.

2. Cooling: The stock cooler is sufficient, but for quiet operation, choose the Deepcool GAMMAXX 400 ($25).

3. Motherboard: Look for models with USB 3.0 and HDMI (for example, ASUS A68HM-Plus).

4. Upgrade: Do not consider this platform for future improvements — it’s a temporary solution.

9. Final Conclusion: Who Should Choose the A10-8770?

This processor is suitable in three scenarios:

1. Ultra-budget build: For office use or as a home media center (for example, HTPC).

2. Repairing an old PC: Replacing a burnt-out CPU in an FM2+ system.

3. Experimentation: Assembling a PC for learning or testing components.

2025 Alternatives:

- New AMD Ryzen 3 5300G ($120) — three times faster, supports DDR4.

- Intel Pentium Gold G7400 ($80) — higher performance and modern technologies.

Conclusion

The AMD PRO A10-8770 in 2025 is a relic but not completely useless. It should be considered only under strict budget constraints or for specific tasks. For any serious workloads (gaming, video editing), look for more modern solutions.