AMD PRO A10-8850B vs Intel Core i5-3470S Comparison

FAQ

Q: How do the two processors compare in overall average benchmark score?

A: The AMD PRO A10-8850B averages 1098 across its benchmark suite, while the Intel Core i5-3470S averages 1095. The AMD part sits at the 31st percentile of all CPUs; the Intel part sits at the 30th percentile.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock, and does that translate to benchmark wins?

A: The AMD PRO A10-8850B boosts to 4.10 GHz compared to the Intel Core i5-3470S’s 3.60 GHz. Despite the higher boost clock, the AMD part loses all five head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with the Intel part winning each by roughly 14%.

Q: What is the process node difference, and which chip is physically larger?

A: The AMD PRO A10-8850B uses a 28 nm process from GlobalFoundries and has a die size of 245 mm² with 2,411 million transistors. The Intel Core i5-3470S uses Intel’s 22 nm process with a die size of 133 mm². Intel’s die is about 46% smaller.

Q: Do both CPUs support the same memory type and PCIe configuration?

A: Yes, both support DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration and both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Neither supports ECC memory. The AMD part lists a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the Intel part does not list a bandwidth figure.

Q: Which CPU has more cache, and how is it organized?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470S has 6 MB of shared L3 cache plus per-core L1 (64 KB per core) and L2 (256 KB per core). The AMD PRO A10-8850B has 256 KB total L1 and 4 MB total L2, with no L3 cache. Intel’s larger L3 is a structural advantage in the benchmark results.

Q: What is the release date gap between the two chips?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470S was released on 2012-05-31, while the AMD PRO A10-8850B was released on 2015-09-28. The AMD part is a later product but still trails the older Intel chip in every measured benchmark.

Where Each One Wins

The head-to-head data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-3470S wins all five benchmark comparisons. The AMD PRO A10-8850B does not win a single test in the provided head-to-head set. However, the AMD part does have its own strengths in the broader context of the data.

In multi-core Cinebench R15, the Intel part scores 373 against AMD’s 321, a 13.9% margin. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the gap is 1558 versus 1339, a 14.1% difference. The same 14.1% delta appears in Cinebench R20 single-core (220 vs 189), Cinebench R23 multi-core (3711 vs 3189), and Cinebench R23 single-core (524 vs 450). There is no benchmark in the head-to-head set where the AMD part takes the lead.

Looking at the nearest rivals for each chip, the AMD PRO A10-8850B’s closest competitor is the Intel Xeon E5-1603 v3, which scores identically at 1098 with a 0% delta. The Intel Pentium 6805 and Intel Core i5-3450S are also within 0.1% of the AMD part. For the Intel Core i5-3470S, its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-2670QM and Intel Core i7-2710QE, both scoring 1096 with a -0.1% delta, and the Intel Core i7-4610M at 1094 with a 0.1% delta.

The practical takeaway is that the AMD PRO A10-8850B is competitive with other CPUs in its average score range, but when directly measured against the Intel Core i5-3470S, the Intel chip is consistently ahead. Users prioritizing single-threaded performance would strongly favor the Intel part, as the 14.1% single-core deltas are identical to the multi-core deltas, meaning the Intel advantage is uniform across workload types.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different architectural lineages. The AMD PRO A10-8850B uses the Steamroller architecture under the codename Godaveri, built on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries. The Intel Core i5-3470S uses Ivy Bridge architecture with the same codename, built on Intel’s 22 nm process. The process node difference means Intel packs its smaller die more efficiently: 133 mm² versus 245 mm² for AMD.

The transistor counts differ significantly. AMD’s chip contains 2,411 million transistors, while Intel’s transistor count is not listed. The AMD die is nearly twice the physical size of Intel’s, which correlates with the integrated graphics difference — AMD includes a Radeon R7 iGPU, while Intel includes HD 2500 graphics.

Cache hierarchy is a major architectural divergence. The AMD part has 256 KB of L1 and 4 MB of L2 with no L3 cache. The Intel part has per-core L1 of 64 KB and per-core L2 of 256 KB, plus a shared 6 MB L3 cache. The lack of L3 on the AMD side means it relies entirely on its L2 cache and system memory, whereas Intel’s L3 provides a high-bandwidth shared pool for all four cores.

Both chips are quad-core, quad-thread designs with no hyperthreading or SMT. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. Both support DDR3 memory in dual-channel mode, and both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The AMD part lists a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s; Intel does not provide a figure in the data.

The release timeline shows a three-year gap: Intel shipped the i5-3470S on 2012-05-31, while AMD shipped the PRO A10-8850B on 2015-09-28. Despite the newer release date, the AMD part’s Steamroller architecture does not overcome the Ivy Bridge design’s efficiency advantage in the benchmark results.

Specification Differences

The socket and platform are the most obvious differentiators. The AMD PRO A10-8850B uses AMD Socket FM2+, while the Intel Core i5-3470S uses Intel Socket 1155. These are not interchangeable platforms, so the choice of CPU dictates the motherboard.

Clock speeds differ notably. The AMD part has a base clock of 3.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. The Intel part has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. AMD’s clocks are higher on paper, but the benchmark results show Intel’s lower-clocked design winning.

Thermal design power is another clear split. The AMD part draws 95 W, while the Intel part draws 65 W. This means the Intel chip delivers higher performance while consuming less power, a meaningful efficiency advantage.

Cache specifications are distinct as described earlier: AMD has 256 KB L1 and 4 MB L2 with no L3; Intel has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. Memory bandwidth is listed for AMD at 34.1 GB/s, but no figure is given for Intel.

The integrated graphics differ: AMD uses Radeon R7, Intel uses HD 2500. Neither CPU supports ECC memory. Both are quad-core, quad-thread parts with locked multipliers. The AMD part’s part number is AD885BXBI44JC, while Intel’s is SR0TA. The AMD part is listed as end-of-life; Intel’s production status is not listed.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data tells a consistent story. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel Core i5-3470S scores 373 against the AMD PRO A10-8850B’s 321, a 13.9% advantage. This is the smallest margin in the dataset, though still a decisive win for Intel.

In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the scores are 1558 for Intel and 1339 for AMD, a 14.1% delta. The R20 single-core test shows 220 for Intel and 189 for AMD, also a 14.1% delta. This consistency suggests the Intel advantage is not workload-specific but rather a fundamental architectural edge.

Cinebench R23 multi-core repeats the pattern: Intel scores 3711, AMD scores 3189, a 14.1% delta. The R23 single-core test shows 524 for Intel and 450 for AMD, again a 14.1% delta. Every single benchmark in the head-to-head set lands at either 13.9% or 14.1% in Intel’s favor.

The Intel part also has additional benchmark data not available for AMD: Geekbench multi-core at 1726 and Geekbench single-core at 599. These are not head-to-head comparisons since AMD lacks matching Geekbench scores, but they add context to Intel’s performance profile.

The wins are one-sided: Intel wins 5, AMD wins 0. The AMD part’s higher clocks (4.10 GHz boost versus 3.60 GHz) do not compensate for the architectural differences. The Intel part’s 6 MB of L3 cache and 22 nm process appear to deliver superior IPC (instructions per clock), which shows up as a uniform 14% performance advantage across all Cinebench versions and thread counts.

The Verdict

The data is decisive: the Intel Core i5-3470S outperforms the AMD PRO A10-8850B in every benchmark measured. The Intel chip wins all five head-to-head tests with deltas between 13.9% and 14.1%. This consistency across single-core and multi-core workloads indicates a fundamental performance advantage rather than a niche strength.

Users who prioritize raw compute performance should select the Intel Core i5-3470S. It delivers higher scores in every Cinebench test, from R15 to R23, and in both single-threaded and multi-threaded modes. The Intel chip also operates at a lower TDP of 65 W versus AMD’s 95 W, meaning it achieves better performance with less power draw.

The AMD PRO A10-8850B is not without its merits. Its 4.10 GHz boost clock is higher than Intel’s 3.60 GHz, and its Radeon R7 integrated graphics are more capable than Intel’s HD 2500 on paper. The AMD part also matches the Intel part in average benchmark score against its nearest rivals, sitting at 1098 versus 1095 for Intel. For users already invested in the FM2+ platform or who prioritize the integrated graphics solution, the AMD part remains a viable option.

However, for any workload that relies on CPU compute — whether single-threaded or multi-threaded — the benchmark results point firmly to Intel. The 14.1% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core (3711 vs 3189) and identical margin in single-core (524 vs 450) show no scenario where AMD closes the gap. The Intel Core i5-3470S is the clear performance winner in this comparison.