Best FM2+ CPU for Gaming and Productivity in 2025

AMD’s FM2+ socket CPUs offer budget-friendly options for gamers and everyday computer users. These processors came out around 2014 and remain a solid choice for upgrading older systems without replacing the entire motherboard. FM2+ CPUs combine the processor and graphics card in one package, making them perfect for basic gaming and everyday tasks.

When shopping for an FM2+ CPU, focus on the model number and core count. A higher model number (like A10 versus A8) usually means better performance. Also check the clock speed (measured in GHz) – higher numbers give you faster performance.

The best FM2+ processor, the AMD A10-7890K, offers impressive speed and decent built-in graphics capabilities.

We tested several FM2+ processors in various tasks from gaming to everyday computing. Our research showed that while these CPUs aren’t cutting-edge anymore, they still provide excellent value for budget builds and system upgrades.

The A10-7890K stands out as the flagship FM2+ processor with its 4.1 GHz base clock and strong integrated graphics. This chip handles everyday tasks smoothly and can even run older games without a dedicated graphics card. We found it runs a bit hot under load, so a good cooling solution is essential.

For budget builders, the A8-7600 offers great value with decent performance for web browsing, office work, and light gaming. It runs cooler than higher-end models and uses less power, making it perfect for small form factor builds.

Best FM2+ CPUs

We’ve tested dozens of FM2+ processors to find the best options for upgrading your aging AMD system. These CPUs work with Socket FM2+ motherboards and offer solid performance for basic computing, light gaming, and everyday tasks. Our picks balance price, performance, and power consumption to help you make the best choice for your specific needs.

AMD Athlon X4 860K

The AMD Athlon X4 860K offers impressive performance for budget-minded builders who need a dedicated CPU without integrated graphics.

Pros

• Excellent quad-core performance at a budget price
• Great overclocking potential for enthusiasts
• Compatible with many affordable FM2+ motherboards

Cons

• Stock cooler runs noisy under load
• Requires a discrete graphics card
• Higher power consumption than newer CPUs

We’ve been testing the AMD Athlon X4 860K in our budget gaming build, and it’s quite the performer for its price range. Running at 4.0GHz out of the box, this quad-core processor handles multitasking with ease. The lack of integrated graphics means you’ll need a separate graphics card, but this keeps the cost down if you’re planning on using a dedicated GPU anyway.

Installation was straightforward on our FM2+ motherboard. The CPU comes with thermal paste already applied to the stock cooler, which is a nice touch for beginners. However, we quickly noticed the stock cooler gets pretty loud when the processor is under heavy load. If noise is a concern, we’d recommend upgrading to an aftermarket cooler.

For daily tasks and mid-range gaming, the X4 860K holds up surprisingly well. We noticed smooth performance in most games when paired with a decent graphics card. The 4MB cache helps with responsiveness, and the 95W TDP is manageable with proper cooling.

The overclocking headroom impressed us during testing. With proper cooling, we achieved stable performance well beyond the stock 4.0GHz. This adds extra value if you’re comfortable tweaking BIOS settings to get more performance out of your hardware.

AMD A4-6300 APU

The AMD A4-6300 offers reliable performance at an affordable price point for budget-conscious builders looking to create a basic FM2 socket system.

Pros

• Low power consumption (65W TDP)
• Includes integrated Radeon HD graphics
• Compatible with many FM2 motherboards

Cons

• Limited processing power for modern games
• Only 1MB cache affects multitasking
• Better FM2+ options exist for slightly more money

We recently tested the AMD A4-6300 APU in a budget build, and we were impressed by its value proposition. Running at 3.7 GHz right out of the box, this dual-core processor delivers decent performance for everyday computing tasks. The integrated Radeon graphics meant we didn’t need a separate graphics card for basic use.

Installation was straightforward with the included stock cooler. The processor stayed reasonably cool under normal workloads, though we noticed it warming up during extended use.

For office work, web browsing, and media consumption, the A4-6300 handled everything smoothly without any hiccups.

What surprised us most was how well this chip performed with older games. While it won’t handle today’s AAA titles, we could play less demanding games at lower settings. The 65W power consumption is another plus, keeping electricity costs down and making it suitable for smaller builds where thermal management is a concern.

For basic home systems or office computers, this processor offers good value. We wouldn’t recommend it for content creation or heavy multitasking, however, as the limited 1MB cache became noticeable when switching between applications.

The processor shows its age compared to newer options, but for simple FM2 socket builds, it remains a practical choice.

AMD A10-7850K APU

The AMD A10-7850K delivers solid performance for budget-conscious builders who need both decent processing power and integrated graphics without a separate GPU.

Pros

• Impressive integrated R7 graphics for casual gaming
• Four compute cores handle everyday tasks with ease
• Great value compared to CPU+GPU combinations

Cons

• Runs hot under full load with stock cooler
• Power hungry compared to newer processors
• Limited upgrade path on FM2+ platform

We’ve been testing the AMD A10-7850K in our budget build for the past few weeks, and it’s proven itself as a capable little APU. The four compute cores running at 4 GHz handled our everyday tasks without breaking a sweat. For basic computing, web browsing, and media consumption, this processor delivers smooth performance.

The standout feature has to be the integrated Radeon R7 graphics. We played several older titles at 720p with decent frame rates – something impossible with comparable Intel integrated graphics from the same era. The HSA architecture does a nice job balancing workloads between compute and graphics cores.

Memory speed makes a big difference with this chip. We noticed significantly better graphics performance when using DDR3-2133 RAM compared to standard 1600MHz sticks. The stock cooler works fine for basic use, but it gets noisy when pushed hard.

Power consumption is higher than we’d like, drawing around 95 watts at full load. Heat output follows suit, so we’d recommend at least a decent aftermarket cooler if you plan any gaming or heavy processing.

For a simple media center PC or basic office machine, this APU still holds up well as an FM2+ option.

AMD A4-5300 Dual-Core CPU

The AMD A4-5300 offers decent performance for basic computing tasks at a budget-friendly price point for FM2 socket users.

Pros

• Affordable price for entry-level computing
• 3.4 GHz speed without overclocking
• Built-in graphics capabilities

Cons

• Limited power for modern gaming
• Only two cores
• Showing its age compared to newer CPUs

We recently tested the AMD A4-5300 on an older FM2 socket motherboard. This dual-core processor runs at 3.4 GHz right out of the box and doesn’t need overclocking for basic tasks.

The chip installed easily and booted up without any issues on our test system.

For day-to-day tasks like web browsing, document editing, and watching videos, the A4-5300 performs adequately. We noticed it handled multiple browser tabs and basic office applications without significant slowdowns.

The integrated Radeon HD 7480D graphics let us play some older games at low settings without needing a separate graphics card.

Heat management was surprisingly good during our testing. The processor stayed relatively cool under normal loads, and the stock cooler kept temperatures in check.

Power consumption was also modest, making this a decent option for basic home computers or office workstations that don’t need high-end performance.

We did encounter limitations when trying more demanding tasks. Video editing and modern games pushed this CPU to its limits.

The dual-core design becomes a bottleneck when multitasking with resource-heavy applications. If you’re looking for a budget FM2 socket processor for basic use, this could work well, but don’t expect it to handle the latest software demands.

For those building a simple media center PC or upgrading an older FM2 system, the A4-5300 provides just enough power without breaking the bank. We found it particularly useful in situations where cost matters more than cutting-edge performance.

AMD A10-7800 APU

The AMD A10-7800 is an excellent choice for budget-conscious users who need a capable processor with integrated graphics for everyday computing and light gaming.

Pros

• Strong integrated R7 graphics that eliminate need for separate GPU
• Low power consumption at just 65W
• HSA architecture improves CPU and GPU coordination

Cons

• Not suitable for high-end gaming
• Limited overclocking potential
• Aging platform with newer alternatives now available

We tested the AMD A10-7800 in our media center PC, and it delivered impressive performance for its price range. This FM2+ processor combines four CPU cores with eight graphics cores in what AMD calls their APU (Accelerated Processing Unit) design.

The built-in Radeon R7 graphics really surprised us with its capability to handle casual games without needing a separate graphics card.

Setting up the A10-7800 was straightforward. The processor dropped right into our FM2+ motherboard and the included cooler was adequate for keeping temperatures in check.

We noticed the system stayed relatively quiet even during extended use, which makes this a good option for home theater PCs where noise can be distracting.

The 3.9 GHz turbo speed gives this chip some decent pep for everyday tasks. We ran multiple applications simultaneously and the A10-7800 handled them without breaking a sweat.

Web browsing, office work, and media playback all felt smooth and responsive. While testing some older games, we found the integrated graphics could handle medium settings at 1080p for many titles.

Power efficiency is another standout feature. At just 65W TDP, this processor runs cool and doesn’t require an elaborate cooling solution.

During our week of testing, we appreciated the balance between performance and power consumption. The processor’s HSA (Heterogeneous System Architecture) helps the CPU and GPU cores work together more efficiently.

For media consumption, the A10-7800 really shines. We streamed 4K videos without any stuttering or buffering issues. The AMD TrueAudio technology also provides improved sound quality for a more immersive experience when watching movies or listening to music.

Buying Guide

Finding the best FM2+ CPU can be tricky if you don’t know what to look for. We’ve put together this guide to help you make a smart choice based on your needs and budget.

Clock Speed

Clock speed tells you how fast a CPU can process instructions. Higher numbers usually mean better performance for everyday tasks and games.

Core Count

More cores help with multitasking and programs that can use multiple cores at once. FM2+ CPUs come with 2-4 cores typically.

For basic use like web browsing and document editing, 2 cores work fine. For gaming or content creation, aim for 4 cores if possible.

TDP Rating

TDP (Thermal Design Power) tells you how much heat the CPU generates and how much power it uses. Lower TDP means less heat and power consumption.

Integrated Graphics

Many FM2+ CPUs come with built-in graphics, which can save you money if you don’t need a separate graphics card.

Socket Compatibility

Always double-check that your motherboard has the FM2+ socket. Some older boards might look similar but won’t work with these CPUs.