AMD PRO A8-8650B

AMD PRO A8-8650B: A Comprehensive Review of an Outdated, Yet Relevant Solution for Basic Tasks (2025)

Key Features: Architecture and Characteristics

The AMD PRO A8-8650B processor, released in 2015, is based on the Excavator microarchitecture (codename Godavari) and fabricated using a 28nm process. It's a quad-core CPU without support for simultaneous multithreading (4 threads), with clock speeds of 3.2–3.9 GHz (Turbo Core).

Key Highlights:

- Integrated Radeon R7 graphics with 512 shader processors and a frequency of 757 MHz — in 2025, this is sufficient for 4K video playback or less demanding games like CS:GO at low settings.

- AMD Secure Processor technology — hardware encryption for enterprise tasks.

- TDP of 65W — low power consumption suitable for compact systems.

Performance:

In Geekbench 6 tests (2025), the processor scores 421 points in Single-Core and 959 in Multi-Core. For comparison, the modern budget Intel Core i3-13100 (2023) shows ~2200/8000 points. This makes the A8-8650B suitable only for basic tasks.

Compatible Motherboards: Socket and Chipsets

The processor uses the outdated FM2+ socket, limiting the selection of motherboards. By 2025, new FM2+ boards are hardly produced, but remnants can be found in specialty stores.

Recommended Chipsets:

- A88X — supports overclocking, USB 3.0, SATA III (6 Gbps), and up to 4 DDR3 slots.

- A78 — a basic version without overclocking support.

Examples of Motherboards:

- ASUS A88XM-Plus (price in 2025: ~$75–$90) — a reliable option with 4 memory slots.

- Gigabyte GA-F2A78M-DS2 (~$60) — a budget model for office PCs.

Important: New FM2+ boards are often sold at inflated prices due to rarity. An alternative is to purchase used ones, but this is risky.

Supported Memory: Only DDR3

The A8-8650B works only with DDR3 (up to 2133 MHz). The maximum theoretical capacity is 64 GB, but most FM2+ boards support up to 32 GB.

Recommendations:

- Use dual-channel mode (2×8 GB DDR3-1866) to enhance the performance of the Radeon R7 graphics.

- Avoid low-frequency memory (e.g., DDR3-1333) — this will reduce FPS in games by 10–15%.

Power Supply: Minimum Requirements

With a TDP of 65W, the processor doesn’t require a powerful PSU. However, when building a system with a discrete graphics card (e.g., GTX 1650), consider the overall power consumption.

Recommendations:

- For PCs without discrete graphics: A PSU rated at 300–350W (e.g., be quiet! System Power 10, $40).

- With a graphics card: 450–500W (EVGA 500 BR, $55).

- Choose power supplies with an 80 Plus Bronze certification — they are more efficient and reliable.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

- Low price (new — $50–$70, April 2025).

- Energy efficiency — suitable for HTPCs or office PCs.

- Integrated graphics — no need to purchase a discrete GPU for basic tasks.

Cons:

- Outdated architecture — a 300–400% lag in Single-Core performance compared to modern CPUs.

- No support for DDR4/PCIe 4.0 — limits upgrade options.

- Weak multi-threaded potential — rendering or video editing will be painfully slow.

Use Cases

1. Office Tasks — working with documents, browsers, Zoom.

2. Home Theater PC (HTPC) — streaming 4K video via HDMI.

3. Undemanding Gaming — League of Legends (60 FPS on medium settings), Minecraft.

4. Entry-Level Server — file storage, VPN.

Real User Experience: Users report that a system based on the A8-8650B handles 10+ tabs in Chrome but "lags" when running Photoshop and the browser simultaneously.

Comparison with Competitors

Intel Core i5-4590 (Haswell, 2014):

- Single-Core: ~520 (Geekbench 6) — 23% higher.

- Multi-Core: ~1450 — 51% better.

- Price: ~$60–$80 (new).

Conclusion: The i5-4590 is preferable for performance, but the A8-8650B has an edge in graphics (Intel HD 4600 vs Radeon R7).

Practical Assembly Tips

1. Motherboard: Look for models with USB 3.0 and HDMI (e.g., ASUS A88XM-A).

2. Cooling: A standard cooler is sufficient, but for quieter operation, consider the Deepcool GAMMAXX 400 ($20).

3. Storage: Make sure to install an SSD (Kingston A400 240 GB, $30) — an HDD will bottleneck performance.

4. RAM: 8–16 GB DDR3-1866 (Patriot Signature Line, $25 for 8 GB).

Example Build:

- CPU: AMD A8-8650B ($60).

- Motherboard: ASUS A88XM-Plus ($80).

- RAM: 16 GB DDR3-1866 ($50).

- SSD: 240 GB ($30).

- PSU: 400W ($40).

- Total: ~$260.

Final Verdict: Who is the A8-8650B Suitable For?

This processor is a choice for:

- Offices that need cheap and reliable PCs.

- Enthusiasts building budget HTPCs or retro systems.

- Educational Institutions — for computers in computer science classrooms.

Why in 2025? Despite its age, the A8-8650B still handles basic tasks decently. However, it is categorically unsuitable for gaming, video editing, or AI work. If the budget allows, it’s better to opt for a modern Ryzen 3 7300G ($120) — it's four times faster and supports DDR5.