AMD PRO A6-8570

AMD PRO A6-8570: A Detailed Review of the Budget Processor for 2025

Relevance for Budget Builds, Office Tasks, and Multimedia

1. Key Specifications: Architecture and Key Features

Codename and Manufacturing Process

The AMD PRO A6-8570 processor, released in 2016, is based on the Excavator microarchitecture (codename Carrizo). This is one of the last generations of AMD processors before transitioning to Zen. The manufacturing process is 28 nm, which by 2025 appears outdated compared to 7 nm and 5 nm chips. However, for basic tasks, it remains relevant due to its low cost.

Performance

- 2 cores / 2 threads: A minimal configuration for working with office applications and browsers.

- Frequency: Base clock — 3.5 GHz, turbo mode — up to 3.8 GHz.

- Graphics: The integrated Radeon R5 GPU (384 stream processors) handles HD video and simple games like CS:GO at low settings (30–40 FPS).

- Benchmarks: In Geekbench 6 (2025), the processor scores 721 points (single-core) and 1044 points (multi-core). For comparison, the modern budget Intel Core i3-13100 (4 cores) scores around 1800/4500 points.

Key Features

- Secure Processor Technology: Data protection for the corporate segment.

- Virtualization Support: Useful for software testing.

- Energy Efficiency: TDP of 65W — lower than many contemporary counterparts.

2. Compatible Motherboards

Socket and Chipsets

The processor uses the outdated FM2+ socket, which limits the choice of motherboards. Suitable chipsets include:

- A68H (e.g., ASUS A68HM-K) — a basic model with HDMI and USB 3.0.

- A78 (Gigabyte GA-F2A78M-DS2) — improved support for SATA 6 Gbps.

Features to Consider

- New boards: Rare in 2025. Prices for remaining inventory range from $50 to $70.

- Used market: Often found for $20–30.

- Limitations: No support for NVMe, Wi-Fi 6, or USB-C.

Tip: If stability is a priority, look for boards with solid capacitors (e.g., MSI A78M-E35).

3. Supported Memory

Types and Specifications

- DDR3-2133 MHz: Maximum frequency. Capacity — up to 64 GB (theoretically), but practically 16 GB is sufficient for all tasks.

- No support for DDR4/DDR5: This is a major downside for upgrades.

Recommendations

- Optimal configuration: 2×8 GB DDR3-1866 (e.g., Kingston HyperX Fury).

- Price: New modules — $30–40 per set, used — $15–20.

4. Power Supply Units: Calculation and Tips

Power and Stability

With a TDP of 65W, even a 400W power supply will handle the system. Examples:

- EVGA 450 BR (80+ Bronze, $45) — a reliable model with overhead.

- Be Quiet! System Power 10 400W ($50) — quiet operation.

Details

- If adding a discrete graphics card (e.g., GTX 1650), a 500W PSU will be required.

- Avoid cheap noname power supplies — voltage fluctuations are possible.

5. Pros and Cons of AMD PRO A6-8570

Advantages

- Price: New processors — $60–80, used — $15–25.

- Energy Efficiency: Suitable for low-power builds.

- Integrated Graphics: No need for a separate graphics card.

Disadvantages

- Weak Performance: Will struggle with video editing or modern games.

- Outdated Platform: No upgrade path to DDR4 or PCIe 4.0.

- Limited Multitasking: 2 threads is the minimum for 2025.

6. Use Cases

Office and Study

- Working with documents, browser (+10 tabs), Zoom.

- Example: A system based on the A6-8570 + 8 GB RAM + 256 GB SSD — ideal for remote work.

Multimedia

- Watching 1080p/4K video (with hardware decoding).

- Connecting to a TV via HDMI.

Gaming

- Playable Titles: Minecraft, Dota 2, GTA V (at low settings, 720p).

- Tips: Adding a graphics card (e.g., Radeon RX 6400) will improve FPS but will be bottlenecked by the weak CPU.

7. Comparison with Competitors

Intel Pentium Gold G5400 (2 cores/4 threads)

- Pros: DDR4 support, better multi-threaded performance (Geekbench 6 Multi ~1400).

- Cons: Price — $80–100, requires a separate graphics card.

AMD Athlon 3000G (2 cores/4 threads)

- Pros: Newer architecture (Zen), Vega graphics, DDR4 support.

- Cons: Discontinued, hard to find new.

Conclusion: The A6-8570 only wins in price but loses in future prospects.

8. Tips for Building a PC with A6-8570

Budget Configuration (Example)

- Processor: AMD PRO A6-8570 (used — $20).

- Motherboard: ASUS A68HM-K (used — $25).

- Memory: 8 GB DDR3-1600 (used — $10).

- Storage: Kingston A400 SSD 240 GB ($30).

- PSU: Corsair CV450 ($40).

- Case: Any Mini-Tower ($25).

Total: ~$150.

Optimization

- Don’t overpay for high-frequency DDR3 — the performance increase in games is minimal.

- Be sure to install an SSD — it will speed up the system by 50%.

9. Conclusion: Who Is This Processor Suitable For?

In 2025, the AMD PRO A6-8570 is suitable for:

1. Ultra-Budget Builds: If you need a PC for internet browsing and Word for $150.

2. Office Solutions: Where stability and low power consumption are important.

3. Retro Enthusiasts: Building a PC from old components for experimentation.

Alternative: If the budget allows $200–250, it's better to choose the AMD Athlon 3000G or Intel Celeron G6900 — they will provide a better future-proofing.

Conclusion

The A6-8570 serves as a "workhorse" for undemanding tasks. Its time on the market has passed, but thanks to its availability on the second-hand market, it remains a niche solution. The key is to clearly understand its limitations and not to expect miracles in modern applications.