Socket FM2, A85X Chipset, Test Specs
As excited as we are for the new Trinity APUs, we can't help but be disappointed that they require a new socket that isn't backwards compatible – unlike what we have seen with the AM2/AM2+ and AM3. Although the FM1 and the new FM2 sockets look very similar, they aren't pin compatible, so users currently working with Socket-FM1 systems are unable to upgrade to Trinity without having to replace their motherboard as well.
Whereas the FM1 socket only saw a single generation of APUs, we believe AMD is going to release at least one more 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, you will still find FM2 boards using the existing A55 and A75 chipsets. Given that the features offered by these two chipsets are still very current, such as full SATA 6Gb/s support 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 as the A85X which most notably brings Crossfire support to the table.
Additionally, compared to the A75, the new A85X chipset also delivers two more SATA 6Gb/s ports for a grand total of eight. 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
- AMD A10-5800K (3.80GHz)
- x2 4GB G.Skill DDR3 PC3-12800 (CAS 8-8-8-20)
- Asus F2 A85-M Pro (A85X)
- 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
FM1 Test System Specs
- AMD A8-3850 (2.90GHz)
- x2 4GB G.Skill DDR3 PC3-12800 (CAS 8-8-8-20)
- 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 System Specs
- AMD Phenom II X6 1100T (3.30GHz)
- AMD Phenom II X4 980 (3.70GHz)
- AMD Athlon II X4 640 (3.00GHz)
- x2 4GB G.Skill DDR3 PC3-12800 (CAS 8-8-8-20)
- Asrock 890GX Extreme4 R2.0 (AMD 890GX)
- 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
LGA1155 Test System Specs
- Intel Core i7-2600K (3.40GHz)
- Intel Core i5-2500K (3.30GHz)
- Intel Core i5-3470 (3.20GHz)
- Intel Core i3-3220 (3.30GHz)
- x2 4GB G.Skill DDR3 PC3-12800 (CAS 8-8-8-20)
- 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-bit
- Nvidia Forceware 306.23
- Intel HD Graphics 15.26.12.64.2761
LGA1366 Test System 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 8-8-8-20)
- Asus P7P55D-E Premium (Intel P55)
- GeForce GTX 580 (1536MB)
- OCZ ZX Series 850w
- Crucial RealSSD C300 256GB
Software
- Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
- Nvidia Forceware 306.23