MSI A85XA-G65 Trinity APU Motherboard Unboxing & First Look Linus Tech Tips

This video is Linus Tech Tips’ unboxing and first look at the MSI A85XA-G65 Trinity APU motherboard, designed for AMD's FM2 socket. The host immediately frames the release as an early packaging sample, noting that there is a driver disc included and that some model details are hard to read on the box, which sets expectations for a hands-on, early-access style review. The board itself is positioned around AMD Trinity APUs, highlighting that Trinity combines a CPU and a much stronger built-in GPU for a capable integrated solution. Visually, the motherboard emphasizes robust VRM cooling, a standard layout with the CPU socket in the center, eight-pin CPU power, dual-channel DDR3 slots, and a mix of six SATA 6Gbps ports along the right edge. The feature set is underscored by practical touches like an OC Gen button for one-click overclocking, onboard power and reset switches, and a dedicated voltage-monitoring checkpoint for enthusiasts pushing the FM2 platform. Connectivity includes multiple display outputs,VGA, DVI, DisplayPort, and HDMI,capable of driving three displays simultaneously, which is a standout for an integrated graphics solution. Eight USB 2.0/3.0 ports, onboard USB headers, and a front panel cluster are documented, with a note about a USB 3.0 header placement that the presenter finds curious. The discussion also touches on PCIe lane configuration, including two PCIe x1 and two PCIe x16 slots, one wired for x8, enabling capabilities like CrossFire X with an external GPU, and even the option to run a low-end discrete card alongside the iGPU in hybrid setups. The host wraps with practical takeaways about building a budget or mid-range rig around this platform, suggesting it is well-suited for Trinity APUs and pointing toward future comparisons between AMD's hybrid graphics approach and discrete GPUs, all while inviting viewers to subscribe for more unboxings and reviews.

Topics · technology · hardware · unboxing-review · computer-components · amd-platform