AMD PRO A10-8850B vs Intel Core i5-3475S Comparison

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous. The Intel Core i5-3475S wins every single benchmark recorded in the database, with a consistent margin of roughly 13% to 13.5% across all Cinebench tests. The AMD PRO A10-8850B does not secure a single victory in the head-to-head comparisons. If you are choosing between these two based purely on CPU performance, the Intel part is the correct pick. The AMD processor's only theoretical advantage is its integrated Radeon R7 graphics, which is not measured in the recorded CPU benchmarks, but for raw compute tasks the Intel chip is simply faster in every logged test. The Intel Core i5-3475S is the processor to select for any workload where the database shows measurable performance, while the AMD PRO A10-8850B would only be considered if the system requires its specific integrated graphics solution, a detail outside the scope of these CPU scores.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras and design philosophies. The AMD PRO A10-8850B uses the Steamroller architecture, specifically the Godaveri codename, built on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It packs 2,411 million transistors into a 245 mm² die. The Intel Core i5-3475S uses the Ivy Bridge architecture, built on a 22 nm process at Intel, with 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die. This process advantage gives Intel a smaller, more efficient chip, though the AMD part has more transistors overall.

Cache layouts differ significantly. The AMD processor has 256 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache at all. The Intel processor has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a shared 6 MB L3 cache. The presence of a shared L3 cache on the Intel chip is a notable architectural difference, as it allows all four cores to access a larger pool of fast memory. The AMD chip relies solely on its smaller L2 pool.

Both processors have 4 cores and 4 threads, so no hyperthreading or SMT advantage exists on either side. The AMD chip clocks substantially higher, with a base clock of 3.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, while the Intel chip runs at 2.90 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost. Despite the AMD processor's higher clocks, the Intel chip still wins every benchmark, indicating that the Ivy Bridge architecture delivers more work per clock cycle.

Thermal design power also differs dramatically: the AMD PRO A10-8850B is rated at 95 watts, while the Intel Core i5-3475S is rated at 65 watts. This makes the Intel chip the more power-efficient option on paper, a 30-watt difference in thermal envelope. Both use DDR3 memory in dual-channel mode, but the AMD chip specifies 34.1 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the Intel chip has no bandwidth figure recorded. Both support PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The AMD processor has a Radeon R7 integrated GPU, while the Intel chip has Intel HD 4000. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data tells a consistent story. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Intel Core i5-3475S scores 371 against the AMD's 321, a delta of -13.5% from the AMD's perspective. That is a clear, measurable win for Intel. In Cinebench R20 multicore, the Intel chip scores 1547 versus 1339, a -13.4% delta. The pattern holds across every test.

Single-core performance shows the same gap. In Cinebench R20 singlecore, the Intel chip scores 218 against the AMD's 189, a -13.3% delta. In Cinebench R23 singlecore, Intel scores 520 versus 450, a -13.5% delta. The most recent test in the database, Cinebench R23 multicore, shows Intel at 3685 and AMD at 3189, again a -13.5% delta. The AMD processor never gets closer than 13.3% behind, and the margins are remarkably consistent across all five tests.

The database also records standalone benchmark scores for the Intel chip that are not present for the AMD chip. The Intel Core i5-3475S has Geekbench multicore and singlecore scores of 1731 and 607 respectively, but the AMD PRO A10-8850B has no Geekbench entries in the data. This means the Intel chip has a broader benchmark footprint in the database, covering more test suites. The Intel chip also has a Cinebench R15 singlecore score of 52, which the AMD chip lacks. These additional data points reinforce the Intel chip's stronger overall documentation.

The average benchmark score for the AMD PRO A10-8850B is 1098, placing it at the 31st percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Intel Core i5-3475S has an average score of 1091, placing it at the 30th percentile. These average scores are very close, within 0.6%, but they are calculated from different sets of benchmarks. The AMD chip's average comes solely from its five Cinebench scores, while the Intel chip's average includes its Geekbench results as well. Despite the Intel chip winning all head-to-head tests, its broader benchmark set pulls its average down slightly, showing that the average score is sensitive to which tests are included.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. Clock speeds: the AMD runs at 3.90 GHz base and 4.10 GHz boost, while the Intel runs at 2.90 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost. Thermal design power: AMD is 95 watts, Intel is 65 watts. Socket: AMD uses Socket FM2+, Intel uses Socket 1155. Process node: AMD is 28 nm, Intel is 22 nm. Transistor count: AMD has 2,411 million, Intel has 1,400 million. Die size: AMD is 245 mm², Intel is 160 mm².

Cache configuration is also different. The AMD chip has 256 KB L1 and 4 MB L2 with no L3. The Intel chip has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. Memory bandwidth is recorded for AMD at 34.1 GB/s, but no figure exists for Intel. Integrated graphics differ: AMD has Radeon R7, Intel has Intel HD 4000. Release dates differ, with AMD launching later and the Intel chip being from an earlier generation. The AMD part number is AD885BXBI44JC, while the Intel part number is SR0PP. Both processors lack an unlocked multiplier, both use DDR3 dual-channel memory, both lack ECC support, and both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmarks in the database?

A: The Intel Core i5-3475S wins all five recorded head-to-head benchmarks. The AMD PRO A10-8850B wins none.

Q: How large is the performance gap between the two chips?

A: The Intel chip leads by 13.3% to 13.5% across all five Cinebench tests. The margins are consistent, with Cinebench R20 singlecore showing the smallest gap at -13.3% and most tests showing -13.5%.

Q: Does the AMD processor have any benchmark advantage due to its higher clock speed?

A: No. Despite having a base clock of 3.90 GHz and boost of 4.10 GHz versus Intel's 2.90 GHz and 3.60 GHz, the AMD chip loses every recorded test. The Intel architecture delivers more performance per clock cycle.

Q: What is the thermal design power difference?

A: The AMD PRO A10-8850B is rated at 95 watts, while the Intel Core i5-3475S is rated at 65 watts. This makes the Intel chip a 30-watt lower thermal envelope, which can matter for cooling and power supply choices.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory and PCIe specifications?

A: Yes, both support DDR3 dual-channel memory and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes. Neither supports ECC memory. The AMD chip has a recorded memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while no bandwidth figure is recorded for the Intel chip.

Q: Are there any benchmark tests where only one chip has data?

A: Yes. The Intel Core i5-3475S has Geekbench multicore and singlecore scores of 1731 and 607, plus a Cinebench R15 singlecore score of 52. The AMD PRO A10-8850B has no Geekbench or Cinebench R15 singlecore entries in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-3475S wins every workload category that the database measures. For multicore rendering, Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 all favor Intel by roughly 13.5%. For single-core tasks, Cinebench R20 and R23 also favor Intel by around 13.3% to 13.5%. The Intel chip is the clear pick for any CPU-bound application that relies on the tested workloads, whether that is video encoding, 3D rendering, or general compute. Its lower 65-watt thermal design power also makes it easier to cool in compact systems.

The AMD PRO A10-8850B has no recorded benchmark wins. Its only distinct advantage in the database is its integrated Radeon R7 graphics, which is not covered by any CPU benchmark in the head-to-head set. If a use case relies heavily on the integrated GPU rather than the CPU cores, the AMD part could be considered, but the data does not quantify that advantage. The AMD chip also has a higher base and boost clock, which does not translate into a win in any recorded test. For CPU performance as measured by the database, the Intel Core i5-3475S is the only sensible choice.

The average benchmark scores place both chips near the same percentile rank, 31st for AMD and 30th for Intel, but this is a misleading summary because the Intel chip's average includes additional Geekbench results. In direct competition, the Intel chip wins every time. The database shows no scenario in which the AMD PRO A10-8850B outperforms the Intel Core i5-3475S on CPU compute. For a builder prioritizing measured performance, the Intel chip is the answer. For a builder needing the AMD's specific integrated graphics solution, the PRO A10-8850B remains the only option, but that decision rests outside the recorded CPU benchmark data.