AMD aims at Windows 10 with updated A-Series chips for desktops

Kaveri refresh offers buyers an experience optimised for Microsoft's upcoming operating system

AMD has updated its A-Series accelerated processing unit (APU) line-up with new desktop chips that it claims offer a superb experience for Microsoft Windows 10, mainstream workloads and games, aiming them at the home and small business markets.

Available from today, the A8-7670K is the first of the updated chips based on a refresh of the Kaveri architecture introduced last year and known alternatively as Godavari.

It features four CPU cores running at clock speeds up to 3.9GHz, combined with six GPU cores based on the Graphics Core Next architecture running at speeds up to 757MHz.

AMD claimed that this combination of CPU and GPU means that the A8-7670K will deliver a great experience for Windows 10, as the firm has spent time optimising drivers to ensure that Microsoft's latest platform takes full advantage of the acceleration features.

In particular, this includes new hardware support for graphics acceleration of HTML5 and WebGL in the new Edge web browser in Windows 10, and DirectX 12 support for games and multimedia, according to Adam Kozak, product manager for AMD's Client and Graphics business unit.

"There are several applications we can definitely use the internal hardware for, whether it's the new video player, the Edge browser, Bitlocker using the AES instructions, or just the modern UI, where [Microsoft] has added a lot of 3D transparency hooks even into the Start bar now," he said.

The new chip is being positioned against Intel's entry-level Core i3 products, where the A8-7670K offers double the number of CPU cores at a comparable price, AMD claimed.

In addition, the built-in GPU acceleration means it can easily outperform an Intel chip paired with a discrete graphics accelerator at approximately the same price point.

The A8-7670K will cost around $118 (£76) and will typically be combined with motherboards based on the AMD A68H chipset.

AMD has already launched new mobile APU chips for laptops and tablets aimed at Windows 10 systems. Codenamed Carrizo, these offer up to four CPUs based on a new Excavator core design and up to eight GPU cores, available in A8, A10 and FX versions.