Aiming to offer near quality graphic and processing in modest budget systems , AMD launched its first APU ( accelerated processing units ) in 2011 , with the first of its current Zen - based APUs arrive in 2017 . further as a solution for budget gamers who can not give agraphics poster , APUs perform both processing and graphics tasks .
But is an APU really any different from what Intel tender with its processors , and do you call for one ?
So, what is an APU?
The Congress of Racial Equality conception of an APU is blessedly childlike : An APU fuse the functionality of a CPU and a GPU , two pieces of hardware get hold in basically any computer .
The central processing whole , or CPU , carries out all the instructions for computer programs . Every action you make on your computer , whether go a game or merely typing a letter , must go through the CPU .
The graphics processing unit , or GPU , is a piece of hardware that allows a computer to fork up images quickly . Creating 3D images often involves complex processes like rendering polygons , chromosome mapping textures , and using complicated equations to perform liveliness . Offloading these to dedicated hardware makes mother 3D image far quicker .
By integrating the CPU and GPU into a individual unit ( sometimes refer to as an SoC , or organisation - on - a - Chip ) , the APU produces a near transfer rate between the two , allow them to portion out the burden of processing project . This also allows the APU to discharge tasks while using less power than a stock CPU and computer graphic card apparatus and ensures a sure floor level of graphical capableness , which make the overall exploiter experience better . Most importantly , it means you do n’t have to buy a separate art card , which drastically lowers the overall price of your personal computer .
None of this is really any different from what you will find inIntel CPUsthough , even if AMD like to call its chips that feature both core something a small different . Most of Intel ’s recent computer architecture from its 7th and eighth generation , combine CPU and GPU functionality on a single dice . basically , any modern processor you purchase these days will be an APU , even if it does n’t bear the name . That does n’t , however , think they ’re all made equal .
What devices have an APU inside?
AMD APUs were initially bound to small form factor systems , such as mini PCs , but more recently have been employed in handheld gaming PCs such as theSteam Deck , first released in 2022 . In the showcase of that handheld , the APU has been cited as being corresponding with a Ryzen 3000 mainframe and Radeon RX 6000 GPU . The variousSteam deck of cards alternatives , unloose since 2022 , particularly the Lenovo Legion Go and theAsus ROG Allyseries , also use AMD APUs .
Meanwhile , both the Nintendo Switch and theNintendo Switch 2are based on APU - trend twist , the Nvidia Tegra X1 and Nvidia Tegra T239 , respectively . Like AMD ’s APUs , these are SoC gadget , combining central processing unit core group and a GPU . Each of these were customs designed initially for Nintendo , with the Tegra X1 appearing in some other devices .
But are APUs worth it?
Although Intel chip buyers will almost always get themselves an on board graphics give out whether they want one or not , AMD purchaser have a selection . Do they buy a consecrate AMD central processing unit — sooner from the latest generation of Ryzen CPU — or opt for an APU ? If you ’re a gamer , even on a modest budget , you ’re much better off opting for one of thebest AMD CPUswith a dedicated graphics card . Although that choice is more expensive , the performance offered by both an main processor and stand - alone video lineup is much better .
APUs have their situation , perhaps with non - gamers and those on super low - budgets benefit from the lack of a need for a consecrated computer graphic card . However , we ’ve yet to see an APU that can twin the computer graphic execution of a consecrate GPU .
