AMD A-Series refresh adds support for overclocking

AMD has updated its A-Series accelerated processing unit line to improve performance and add support for overclocking.

The unlocked A8-3870K and A6-3670K chips allow high-performance and hobbyist customers to boost CPU clock frequencies by up to 500MHz, and GPU frequency by 200MHz, through a single console.

The A8-3870K accelerator costs $135, while the A6-3670K model is $115.

AMD is in the process of introducing a larger update to the A-Series platform for desktops and notebook systems. The A-Series are based on the Fusion GPGPU, and use graphics processing hardware to help the CPU handle multi-threaded operations.

The chips promise significant acceleration of tasks such as media rendering and 3D modelling.

AMD estimates that the A-Series hardware has been integrated into more than 150 system designs since its introduction, and that the firm has shipped upwards of one million units.

The update includes the release of the Vision Engine tool that delivers software updates and patches for A-Series hardware automatically, and Steady Video, an Internet Explorer 9 plug-in designed to smooth playback of streaming video.