AMD Athlon X4 845 vs Intel Core i5-3470S Comparison

The AMD Athlon X4 845 and the Intel Core i5-3470S are two desktop processors from different eras and design philosophies, yet they occupy a similar performance tier in the database. The Athlon X4 845, built on AMD’s Excavator architecture, and the i5-3470S, an Ivy Bridge part, both offer four cores and four threads. However, the benchmark data shows a clear and consistent advantage for the Intel chip across every recorded test. The Athlon X4 845 holds a 31st percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the i5-3470S sits just behind at the 30th percentile, making their overall standing nearly identical despite the Intel part’s per-test wins. This analysis breaks down the measured differences, architectural choices, and practical implications for a builder deciding between these two used or legacy options.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-3470S wins all five recorded comparisons, with margins that are remarkably consistent. Starting with Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-3470S scores 373 against the Athlon X4 845’s 324, a deficit of 13.1% for the AMD chip. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where Intel posts 1558 versus AMD’s 1350, a 13.4% gap. Cinebench R23 multi-core follows the same trend: the i5-3470S reaches 3711, while the Athlon X4 845 manages 3215, again a 13.4% difference. Across these three multi-threaded workloads, the Intel processor consistently outperforms the AMD part by roughly 13%, which suggests a structural advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

Single-core performance tells an identical story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-3470S scores 220, beating the Athlon X4 845’s 190 by 13.6%. Cinebench R23 single-core shows the Intel chip at 524 versus 453 for AMD, a 13.5% margin. These single-threaded results are particularly telling because they isolate the core efficiency of each architecture. The Athlon X4 845 has a higher base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost of 3.80 GHz, while the i5-3470S runs at 2.90 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost. Despite the AMD chip’s clock advantage, the Intel part wins every single-core test by double-digit percentages. This points to a significant instructions-per-clock (IPC) advantage for Ivy Bridge over Excavator, a conclusion supported by the fact that the i5-3470S achieves higher scores while operating at lower frequencies.

The database also records a Geekbench multi-core score of 1726 and a single-core score of 599 for the i5-3470S, but no corresponding Geekbench results exist for the Athlon X4 845. Those Intel numbers, while not directly comparable in a head-to-head table, reinforce the overall picture of a processor that is strong in both lightly threaded and fully loaded scenarios. The Athlon X4 845’s average benchmark score across all recorded tests is 1106, while the i5-3470S averages 1095. These averages are nearly identical, which is surprising given the Intel chip’s sweep of the direct comparisons. The explanation lies in the fact that the two processors draw their averages from different test sets; the AMD part’s average is derived from its Cinebench scores, while the Intel part includes Geekbench results, which pull its average down. In direct head-to-head testing, the Intel chip is the clear winner, but the overall database averages suggest they belong to the same performance class.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split between these two processors is fundamental. The AMD Athlon X4 845 uses the Excavator architecture, built on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It is part of the Carrizo family, which is known for being a mobile-first design adapted for desktop use. The die measures 250 mm² and contains 3,100 million transistors. The i5-3470S, by contrast, uses Intel’s Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm process, made in-house by Intel. Its die is just 133 mm², and the database does not list a transistor count for it. The smaller process node gives Intel an efficiency and density advantage, which partially explains how the i5-3470S matches or exceeds the AMD chip’s performance while running at lower clock speeds.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The Athlon X4 845 has 320 KB of L1 cache and 2 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache at all. The i5-3470S has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, which works out to 256 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 for a four-core chip, but it also has 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The presence of that large L3 cache is a major differentiator. L3 cache allows frequently accessed data to be stored closer to the cores, reducing the need to access slower system memory. The Athlon X4 845 has no such tier, forcing it to rely entirely on its 2 MB L2 cache, which is a severe handicap in modern workloads that benefit from larger caches.

Memory support is another area of divergence. Both processors support DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, and both lack ECC support. However, the Athlon X4 845 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the database does not list a bandwidth figure for the i5-3470S. The Intel chip also includes integrated graphics in the form of Intel HD 2500, whereas the Athlon X4 845 has no integrated graphics at all. This means a system built around the AMD chip requires a discrete graphics card for any display output, while the i5-3470S can run with just the motherboard’s video outputs for basic tasks.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The Athlon X4 845 provides PCIe Gen 3 with 8 lanes from the CPU, while the i5-3470S offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. For a system with a single high-end graphics card, the Intel chip’s full 16 lanes are preferable, though 8 lanes are often sufficient for mid-range cards. The AMD processor is unlocked, meaning its multiplier can be adjusted for overclocking, while the Intel part is locked. The i5-3470S also has a lower base clock of 2.90 GHz compared to the Athlon’s 3.50 GHz, but its boost clock of 3.60 GHz is only 0.20 GHz lower than the AMD chip’s 3.80 GHz. The production status for the Athlon X4 845 is listed as end-of-life, while no status is recorded for the i5-3470S. The Intel processor was released in May 2012, about four years before the AMD chip’s February 2016 release.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470S is faster in every recorded multi-core test. It wins Cinebench R15 multi-core with 373 versus 324, Cinebench R20 multi-core with 1558 versus 1350, and Cinebench R23 multi-core with 3711 versus 3215. The margin is consistently around 13.4% in favor of Intel.

Q: Does the AMD Athlon X4 845 have any performance advantage over the i5-3470S?

A: In the direct head-to-head benchmarks, the Athlon X4 845 does not win a single test. The i5-3470S wins all five comparisons. The AMD chip’s average benchmark score of 1106 is slightly higher than the Intel part’s 1095, but that is due to different test sets, not a real performance edge.

Q: Why does the i5-3470S win despite having lower clock speeds?

A: The i5-3470S has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost of 3.60 GHz, while the Athlon X4 845 runs at 3.50 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost. The Intel chip wins because its Ivy Bridge architecture delivers higher instructions per clock, as well as a 6 MB shared L3 cache that the AMD part lacks entirely.

Q: Can the Athlon X4 845 be overclocked?

A: Yes, the Athlon X4 845 has an unlocked multiplier, which allows the user to adjust the clock multiplier in the BIOS for overclocking. The i5-3470S is locked, so it does not offer this flexibility.

Q: Does either processor have integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Core i5-3470S includes integrated graphics, specifically Intel HD 2500. The AMD Athlon X4 845 has no integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is mandatory for any display output.

Q: How do these processors compare in terms of memory bandwidth?

A: The Athlon X4 845 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the database does not list a bandwidth figure for the i5-3470S. Both support dual-channel DDR3 memory.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-3470S is the faster processor. It wins every direct benchmark comparison, with margins between 13.1% and 13.6%. This consistency across multi-core and single-core tests indicates a fundamental architectural superiority rather than a niche advantage. The i5-3470S achieves these wins while running at lower clock speeds, which speaks to the efficiency of the Ivy Bridge core design and the benefit of its 6 MB L3 cache. For any workload that relies on CPU compute, from rendering to everyday application responsiveness, the Intel chip is the better choice.

That said, the overall database averages tell a more nuanced story. The Athlon X4 845’s average benchmark score is 1106, and the i5-3470S’s is 1095, a difference of less than 1%. Both chips sit at the 30th to 31st percentile of all CPUs, meaning they are firmly in the entry-level or legacy tier. A builder choosing between these two should not expect a transformative performance gap in real-world use, even though the Intel part wins every recorded test. The Athlon X4 845 does have one clear advantage: its unlocked multiplier. For a user comfortable with overclocking, the AMD chip might be coaxed closer to the Intel part’s performance, though the i5-3470S’s lead in single-core tests suggests it would still hold an edge.

The i5-3470S also brings integrated graphics, which can be a deciding factor for a basic system without a dedicated GPU. The Athlon X4 845 requires a discrete graphics card, adding cost and complexity to a build. On the other hand, the AMD chip uses an AMD Socket FM2+ platform, which might be cheaper to source second-hand than an Intel Socket 1155 board. The i5-3470S’s 16 PCIe lanes are a minor advantage for a single high-end GPU, and its smaller die size and 22 nm process suggest better power efficiency per unit of performance, though both parts are rated at 65 W TDP.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Athlon X4 845 | Intel Core i5-3470S |

|---|---|---|

| Architecture | Excavator | Ivy Bridge |

| Process Node | 28 nm | 22 nm |

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.80 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| L1 Cache | 320 KB | 64 KB per core |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 256 KB per core |

| L3 Cache | None | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | Not listed |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 8 lanes | Gen 3, 16 lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Intel HD 2500 |

| Multiplier | Unlocked | Locked |

| Socket | AMD Socket FM2+ | Intel Socket 1155 |

| Die Size | 250 mm² | 133 mm² |

| Transistors | 3,100 million | Not listed |

| Release Date | February 2016 | May 2012 |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-3470S wins in every measured benchmark category. It is faster in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests, and it also wins the single-core tests in R20 and R23. This makes it the superior choice for CPU-bound applications such as video encoding, 3D rendering, and any software that is heavily threaded. Its 6 MB L3 cache and higher IPC also give it an edge in lightly threaded tasks, where the single-core scores of 524 in R23 and 220 in R20 demonstrate a clear advantage over the Athlon’s 453 and 190, respectively. For a user who wants the best performance from a legacy desktop CPU without overclocking, the i5-3470S is the pick.

The AMD Athlon X4 845 does not win any direct comparison, but it has characteristics that might appeal to a specific builder. Its unlocked multiplier allows for overclocking, which is not possible on the Intel part. A user with a good cooling solution and a compatible FM2+ motherboard could potentially narrow the gap, especially in multi-threaded workloads where the Athlon’s higher clocks might help. The AMD chip also has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 1106 versus 1095, though this is not a meaningful difference given the different test sets. The Athlon’s 34.1 GB/s memory bandwidth is a documented figure, whereas the i5-3470S’s is not listed, so a builder prioritizing known memory throughput might note that, though the Intel chip’s larger cache likely compensates in practice.

In practical terms, the i5-3470S is the better all-round processor. It offers integrated graphics for basic display output, more PCIe lanes for GPU expansion, and superior performance in every recorded test. The Athlon X4 845 is only preferable for a builder who specifically wants an unlocked multiplier on an FM2+ platform and is willing to overclock to chase the Intel part’s performance. The data does not support choosing the AMD chip on performance grounds alone. For a budget or legacy build where every benchmark point matters, the i5-3470S is the clear winner. For a tinkerer who values overclocking headroom and already owns an FM2+ board, the Athlon X4 845 remains a viable, if slower, option.