AMD has officially rolled out its first two A-series, codename Lynx, desktop APUs, the A6-3650 and the A8-3850. The new APUs are compatible with the recently introduced FM1 motherboards based on AMD's A75 chipset and will hit retail/e-tail as of July 3rd with a price set at US $135 for the 2.9GHz quad-core A8-3850 and US $115 for the 2.6GHz clocked A6-3650.

Based on the 32nm manufacturing process, the first two A-series APUs feature four x86 cores, have a DirectX 11 GPU and come with support for dual-channel DDR3 memory. As noted, the A-series APUs are meant for the recently introduced FM1 motherboards based on the AMD A75 chipset and feature support for the Dual Graphics technology that combines the APUs integrated GPU with a specific discrete card for some additional graphics power.

For starters, AMD decided to launch only quad-core parts while the rest, including the dual-core A4- and the lone dual-core E2-3200 part should follow up later. According to our sources, the entire A8- and A6- lineup is ramping up as we speak and those other two quad-core APUs with Turbo should show up pretty soon. In case you missed it, we are talking about the A8-3800 and A6-3600 clocked at 2.4GHz (2.7GHz Turbo) and 2.1GHz (2.4GHz Turbo) that have the 65W TDP.

The currently available A8-3850 ticks at 2.9GHz, has 4MB of L2 cache, has a 100W TDP and features Radon HD 6550D core with 400 stream processors and a 600MHz clock. The A6-3650 has a 2.6GHz clock, same 100W TDP and same 4MB of L2 cache but features Radeon HD 6530D GPU clocked at 443MHz and with 320 stream processors.

Most reviews agree on the same thing and despite the fact that you have to compare these APUs with something that is currently on the market, you must agree that AMD made a new market segment, the one where there is no room for Intel and its integrated graphics parts. Similar amount of money could get you the Athlon II X4 640 and HD 6570 graphics card (for around US $175) and provide you with better performance, but in that case you wouldn't get an APU that has it all in 100W TDP envelope.

AMD's Lynx and its quad-core A-series APUs are definitely bringing a new breed of HTPCs, the ones that have a decent GPU power and can bring you a solid gaming experience as well. You won't get full details on 1080p, but for that much money, you honestly get alot, and if you want more, there is that Dual Graphics technology that can pair up the APU with certain discrete GPU.

You can check out some of the reviews below.

- Anandtech.com
- Hothardware.com
- Thetechreport.com
- Kitguru.net
- Pcper.com
- Neoseeker.com
- Overclockersclub.com
- Tweaktown.com