Add a GPU, and things take a sharp turn for the better. Taking advantage of the Dual Graphics option turns the A8-3850 from a slideshow delivery-station into a proper gaming machine -- albeit with the settings turned down. But it's important to keep in mind that the Lynx platform is specifically targeted at inexpensive Budget desktops, which (traditionally) aren't meant to be gaming much anyway. With so much to gain from adding a modestly priced graphics card, gamers on a budget are going to have a lot to look forward to in the coming months.

Testing: Power Consumption

Entry-level processors like the A8-3850 and the Core i3-2100 are designed with low power consumption in mind, and they're both appropriately thrifty with wattage. While idle, the A8-3850 pulled a meager 42.3W, while the Core i3-2100 measured in at 44.6W. Both of these measurements were taken directly from the outlet, and don't include a display or case, so your measurements will vary. You can also expect to see those numbers balloon if you add a graphics card into the mix. While watching a 1080p video, the A8-3850 climbed as high as a meager 66.2W, while the Core i3-2100 hit 72.6 on our power meters.

Final Thoughts: Par For The Course From AMD

The Lynx platform is impressive, but what we're seeing is par for the course from AMD. What the part lacks in raw computing power, in makes up for with a (relatively) powerful integrated graphics processor.