AMD A12-9800 vs Intel Core i5-3470S Comparison

# AMD A12-9800 vs Intel Core i5-3470S: A Database Comparison

The AMD A12-9800 and Intel Core i5-3470S occupy similar positions in the desktop CPU market, but the benchmark data reveals a clear split in their strengths. The Intel part holds a decisive lead in nearly every recorded test, while the AMD chip counters with a unique set of platform features. This analysis is based strictly on recorded database measurements, including Cinebench scores, architectural specifications, and nearest-rival comparisons.

Where Each One Wins

The head-to-head data shows a complete sweep for the Intel Core i5-3470S across every recorded benchmark. Out of five head-to-head comparisons, the Intel chip wins all five. The AMD A12-9800 does not claim a single victory in any of the tested workloads.

The Cinebench R15 multi-core test is the largest single win for Intel, with a score of 373 against AMD's 316, a delta of -15.3%. The single-core R15 result shows a similar gap: 52 vs 44, a -15.4% delta. In the newer Cinebench R20 and R23 suites, the pattern repeats. The Intel part leads by roughly 15% in every test, which suggests a consistent per-thread performance advantage rather than a scaling issue.

For AMD, the absence of wins is not a sign of failure across the board. The data indicates that the Intel chip is simply faster in both lightly threaded and heavily threaded workloads. The A12-9800's win count of zero out of five head-to-head tests places it firmly behind in raw compute performance.

FAQ

Q: Based on Cinebench R23, how does the multi-core score compare?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470S scores 3711 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the AMD A12-9800 scores 3140. This gives Intel a 15.4% advantage in this test.

Q: What about the single-core Cinebench R23 result?

A: In the single-core R23 test, the Intel chip scores 524, against the AMD's 443. That is a 15.5% lead for the Intel part.

Q: The Cinebench R20 multi-core result, what is the difference?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470S posts a 1558 in the multi-core R20 test. The AMD A12-9800 scores 1318. The Intel chip leads by 15.4%.

Q: Are there any tests where the AMD A12-9800 is ahead?

A: In the recorded head-to-head tests, the AMD A12-9800 does not win any of the five comparisons. All Cinebench iterations (R15, R20, R23) in both single and multi-core modes go to the Intel Core i5-3470S.

Q: How does the Cinebench R15 single-core result compare?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470S reaches 52 points in Cinebench R15 single-core. The AMD A12-9800 scores 44. The Intel part leads by 15.3%.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The biggest margin comes in the Cinebench R15 multi-core test. Here the Intel Core i5-3470S produces a score of 307, a full 15.3% above the AMD A12's 316. This is the largest proportional difference in the entire head-to-head set. The R20 single-core test shows a similar gap: 220 vs 186, a -15.5% delta in favor of Intel.

In the most recent Cinebench version, R23, the Intel chip continues its dominance. The multi-core test sees Intel at 3711, a 15.4% lead over the AMD's 3140. The single-core test also goes to Intel: 524 vs 443, a 15.5% margin. The consistency of the 15% delta across four of the five benchmarks strongly suggests a per-clock advantage for the Intel architecture.

The only test where the delta deviates from the 15% norm is the Cinebench R15 single-core test. The delta here is 15.7%, which is still within the same general range. There is no memory of the AMD A12-9800 taking any workload; the Intel part is clearly ahead in all recorded workloads.

Specification Differences

The two processors share a fundamental tier: both have 4 cores and 4 threads. The base clock for the Intel is 2.90 GHz, the AMD is set to 3.80 GHz. Boost behavior also differs: the Intel chip boosts to 3.60 GHz, while the AMD part boosts to 4.20 GHz.

Memory support is a clear differentiator. The Intel Core i5-3470S supports DDR3, while the AMD A12-9800 supports DDR4. The AMD platform also uses dual-channel memory, a feature shared with the Intel. Error-correcting code (ECC) memory is not supported on either chip.

The socket changes completely. The Intel Core i5-3470S uses the Intel Socket 1155, while the AMD A12-9800 uses the AMD Socket AM4. This means they are not interchangeable on the same motherboard.

The integrated graphics also differ. The AMD A12-9800 includes a Radeon R7 GPU. The Intel Core i5-3470S comes with Intel HD 2500 graphics. Both are the integrated graphics solutions on the package.

Caches are split. The AMD A12-9800 has a 320 KB L1 cache and a 2 MB L2 cache. The Intel Core i5-3470S has a 64 KB L1 cache per core and a 256 KB L2 cache per core, but adds a 6 MB shared L3 cache. This extra level of caching on the Intel part is reflected in the better benchmark scores.

The manufacturing details also vary. The AMD part is built on a 28 nm process and a 250 mm² die from GlobalFoundries. Intel is a 22nm part from a 133 mm² die made by Intel.

Architecture Differences

The internal design points to a different generation. The AMD A12-9800 is based on the Excavator architecture, codenamed Bristol Ridge. The Intel Core i5-3470S is built on the Ivy Bridge architecture, codename Ivy Bridge.

The AMD A12-9800 is from the A12 (Bristol Ridge) generation, while the Intel chip is from the Core i5 (Ivy Bridge) generation. These are separate design families with different goals.

The AMD chip counts 3,100 million transistors, while the Intel chip does not have a recorded transistor count. The Intel die is smaller at 133 mm², compared to the AMD die size of 250 mm².

The Intel chip has a lower base clock but this does not translate to lower performance. The recorded benchmarks consistently show the Intel chip ahead despite the AMD chip's higher clocks.

The Verdict

Strictly from the recorded data in the database, the Intel Core i5-3470S is the clear choice for raw performance across all tested benchmarks. It wins all five head-to-head comparisons, with advantages between 15.3% and 15.7% depending on the exact test. The AMD A12-9800 does not win any test in this comparison.

For buyers who prioritize the platform features, the AMD A12-9800 has some interesting features: DDR4 memory support and a 28nm process node. But if the priority is the highest Cinebench scores possible, the Intel chip is the one that the database shows as the stronger processor. The AMD chip is an acceptable choice if the platform compatibility (AM4, DDR4) is the primary concern, but it will be behind in compute performance as measured by the recorded tests.

The Intel Core i5-3470S, in turn, offers the larger L3 cache (6 MB shared) and the 22nm manufacturing process, both of which likely contribute to its consistent benchmark lead. For the user looking at the database numbers, the Intel part is the one with the winning record in the benchmark suite.