AMD A12-9800 vs Intel Core i5-2450P Comparison

The Intel Core i5-2450P and the AMD A12-9800 are both 4-core, 4-thread desktop processors, yet they represent fundamentally different design philosophies and eras. The data shows a consistent and decisive performance gap in favor of the Intel part across all tested workloads, with the AMD chip countering with a lower thermal envelope and a more modern platform. Benchmark results indicate the i5-2450P is the clear performance leader, while the A12-9800 offers a different set of platform-level attributes that may appeal to specific use cases.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the benchmark data, the Intel Core i5-2450P wins in every single performance test recorded. It secures all five head-to-head victories, with a win margin of 5 to 0 against the AMD A12-9800. This is a categorical sweep that leaves no ambiguity about which processor delivers superior compute throughput in the tested scenarios. The i5-2450P’s wins are not marginal either; they are consistent and substantial, ranging from 15.6% to 15.8% across different Cinebench versions and workload types.

The AMD A12-9800, conversely, does not win a single benchmark in this comparison. Its strengths lie not in raw CPU benchmark scores but in its platform characteristics. The data shows it has a lower TDP of 65 watts compared to the Intel’s 95 watts, indicating a more power-efficient design for system builders prioritizing lower heat output and energy consumption. Furthermore, the A12-9800 includes integrated Radeon R7 graphics, whereas the i5-2450P has no integrated graphics listed. This makes the AMD part a more self-contained solution for basic systems that do not require a discrete graphics card, even if its CPU performance lags.

The use-case split is therefore clear: the Intel processor is for users who demand maximum processing power in applications that utilize the benchmarks tested, such as rendering and multi-threaded productivity. The AMD processor is for users who value a lower power draw, a modern AM4 socket, and the convenience of built-in graphics, accepting a significant CPU performance compromise. The data does not support any scenario where the A12-9800 wins on raw compute, but its platform features define its niche.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on vastly different architectures and process nodes. The Intel Core i5-2450P is based on the Sandy Bridge architecture, manufactured on a 32 nm process by Intel. It features 4 cores and 4 threads with a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.50 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, along with a shared 6 MB L3 cache. The chip is built on a 216 mm² die containing 1,160 million transistors and uses an Intel Socket 1155.

In contrast, the AMD A12-9800 is based on the Excavator architecture, codenamed Bristol Ridge, manufactured on a 28 nm process by GlobalFoundries. It also has 4 cores and 4 threads, but runs at a higher base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. Its cache configuration is different, with a total of 320 KB of L1 and 2 MB of L2, and it has no L3 cache at all. The AMD chip has a larger die size of 250 mm² and a much higher transistor count of 3,100 million, reflecting its integrated Radeon R7 graphics and memory controller. It uses the AMD Socket AM4.

Memory support also differs significantly. The Intel part supports DDR3 memory on a dual-channel bus, while the AMD part supports DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus with a listed memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. PCIe connectivity is another differentiator, with the Intel offering Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes, while the AMD offers Gen 3 with only 8 CPU lanes. The AMD chip has a lower TDP of 65 watts versus Intel’s 95 watts, and it has a later release date of 2017 compared to Intel’s 2012. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results show a remarkably consistent performance advantage for the Intel Core i5-2450P across all tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel scores 366 against AMD’s 316, a delta of 15.8%. This pattern is nearly identical in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where Intel scores 1525 versus AMD’s 1318, a 15.7% advantage. The single-core results are equally one-sided, with Intel winning Cinebench R20 single-core by a margin of 15.6% (215 vs 186).

The trend continues into the newer Cinebench R23 tests. In multi-core, the Intel i5-2450P scores 3632, while the AMD A12-9800 scores 3140, yielding a 15.7% delta in favor of Intel. The single-core test in R23 shows Intel at 512 and AMD at 443, another 15.6% advantage for Intel. This consistency across different benchmark versions and workload types is notable, suggesting that the performance gap is not an artifact of any single test but rather a fundamental difference in execution efficiency between the two architectures.

The largest absolute wins for Intel come in the multi-core tests, where the score differences are 50 points in R15, 207 points in R20, and 492 points in R23. While the percentage deltas are all in the 15.6% to 15.8% range, the absolute gaps grow with the workload duration and complexity. This indicates that the Intel processor maintains its advantage under sustained load, a positive sign for longer rendering tasks. The AMD part, despite its higher clock speeds, cannot overcome the architectural efficiency of the older Intel design.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-2450P is consistently faster in multi-core tests, with scores of 366 vs 316 in Cinebench R15, 1525 vs 1318 in Cinebench R20, and 3632 vs 3140 in Cinebench R23, each showing a delta of approximately 15.7% in Intel’s favor.

Q: Does the AMD A12-9800 have any performance advantage?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows the AMD A12-9800 wins zero of the five benchmarks recorded. The Intel Core i5-2450P wins all five, with deltas ranging from 15.6% to 15.8%.

Q: What are the key architectural differences between these two CPUs?

A: The Intel uses Sandy Bridge on a 32 nm process with a 6 MB shared L3 cache, while the AMD uses Excavator on a 28 nm process with no L3 cache and only 2 MB of L2. The AMD has a higher base clock of 3.80 GHz and boost of 4.20 GHz, but the Intel has a lower TDP of 95 watts vs AMD’s 65 watts.

Q: Do these processors support the same memory type?

A: No. The Intel Core i5-2450P supports DDR3 on a dual-channel bus, while the AMD A12-9800 supports DDR4 on a dual-channel bus with a listed bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: Only the AMD A12-9800 lists integrated graphics, featuring a Radeon R7. The Intel Core i5-2450P has no integrated graphics listed in the data.

Q: How do these processors compare in the overall percentile ranking?

A: Both processors are at the 30th percentile of all CPUs. Their average benchmark scores are also very close, with the Intel at 1086 and the AMD at 1081, a difference of only 0.5%.

The Verdict

The data presents a straightforward conclusion for raw performance: the Intel Core i5-2450P is the superior processor. It wins all five head-to-head benchmarks by a consistent margin of roughly 15.7%, and it does so across both single-core and multi-core workloads. Its average benchmark score of 1086 is also slightly higher than the AMD’s 1081. For any user whose primary concern is compute throughput in applications similar to the Cinebench tests, the Intel part is the clear choice, despite being released several years earlier.

The AMD A12-9800, however, offers a different value proposition that the benchmark scores do not capture. Its lower TDP of 65 watts, compared to Intel’s 95 watts, makes it a more power-efficient option for compact or thermally constrained systems. Its integrated Radeon R7 graphics eliminate the need for a separate graphics card for basic display output. Additionally, its support for DDR4 memory and the modern AM4 socket provides a more current platform foundation. The A12-9800 also has a higher boost clock of 4.20 GHz, though this does not translate into benchmark wins.

Ultimately, the choice depends on user priorities. Those who need maximum CPU performance for rendering, encoding, or other compute-intensive tasks should select the Intel Core i5-2450P. Those who prioritize a low-power, self-contained system with integrated graphics and a modern socket, and who can accept a 15.6% to 15.8% performance deficit, may find the AMD A12-9800 more suitable. The benchmark data is unambiguous about which chip is faster; it is equally clear that speed is not the only metric that matters.