AMD PRO A12-8870 vs Intel Core i3-4150 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data paints a remarkably consistent picture across all five recorded tests: the AMD PRO A12-8870 wins every single head-to-head comparison against the Intel Core i3-4150. There are no tests in the database where the Intel part comes out ahead, which makes this a straightforward matchup to analyze.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD PRO A12-8870 scores 324 against the Intel Core i3-4150's 290. That is a 10.5% advantage for the AMD chip. The gap remains nearly identical in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where AMD scores 1351 versus Intel's 1212, a 10.3% difference. Cinebench R23 multi-core follows the same pattern: 3218 for AMD against 2888 for Intel, again a 10.3% margin.

Single-threaded performance tells the same story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the AMD part scores 190 while the Intel chip manages 170, a 10.5% lead. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 454 for AMD versus 407 for Intel, a 10.4% gap. The consistency across both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads suggests the AMD processor holds a genuine architectural advantage in this pairing, not merely a core-count benefit.

The average benchmark scores in the database reinforce this outcome. The Intel Core i3-4150 posts an average benchmark score of 1119, while the AMD PRO A12-8870 sits at 1107. Interestingly, the Intel chip has the higher average score despite losing every head-to-head test. This occurs because the databases' average score calculation includes additional benchmarks beyond the five head-to-head tests, and the Intel part has Geekbench results recorded while the AMD part does not. The Intel chip scores 1896 in Geekbench multi-core and 968 in Geekbench single-core, tests that are not present in the AMD's benchmark list.

In terms of overall CPU percentile ranking, the two are nearly identical. The Intel Core i3-4150 sits at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD PRO A12-8870 ranks at the 31st percentile. Both are firmly in the lower-mid range of the performance spectrum, but the AMD part edges ahead in every directly comparable workload.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The AMD PRO A12-8870 wins all three multi-threaded Cinebench tests. It leads by 10.5% in R15 (324 vs 290), 10.3% in R20 (1351 vs 1212), and 10.3% in R23 (3218 vs 2888).

Q: Is the Intel Core i3-4150 better in single-threaded performance?

A: No. The AMD PRO A12-8870 also wins both single-threaded tests. It scores 190 versus 170 in Cinebench R20 single-core (10.5% ahead) and 454 versus 407 in Cinebench R23 single-core (10.4% ahead).

Q: How do their overall rankings compare?

A: The Intel Core i3-4150 ranks at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD PRO A12-8870 ranks at the 31st percentile. Despite the AMD chip winning every head-to-head test, their percentile positions are essentially equal.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores?

A: The Intel Core i3-4150 has an average benchmark score of 1119, while the AMD PRO A12-8870 has an average of 1107. The Intel chip's higher average comes from Geekbench results that are not recorded for the AMD part.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory type?

A: No. The Intel Core i3-4150 supports DDR3 memory, while the AMD PRO A12-8870 supports DDR4 memory. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the AMD chip has a higher memory bandwidth at 38.4 GB/s compared to 25.6 GB/s for Intel.

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The AMD PRO A12-8870 has 4 physical cores, while the Intel Core i3-4150 has 2 physical cores with 4 threads. Both processors present 4 threads to the operating system.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i3-4150 uses the Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process node, manufactured by Intel with 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. It uses a 2-core, 4-thread configuration with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and no boost clock. The cache layout is split per-core: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 3 MB of shared L3 cache.

The AMD PRO A12-8870 uses the Excavator architecture on a 28 nm process node, manufactured by GlobalFoundries with 3,100 million transistors on a 250 mm² die. It offers 4 physical cores with 4 threads, a base clock of 3.70 GHz, and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The cache structure is different: 320 KB of L1 total, 2 MB of L2 total, and no L3 cache at all.

The transistor counts are notable. The AMD chip contains more than double the transistors of the Intel part (3,100 million versus 1,400 million), and its die is substantially larger at 250 mm² versus 177 mm². However, the Intel part uses a more advanced 22 nm process compared to AMD's 28 nm, which partially explains the smaller die and lower transistor count.

Memory support differs significantly. The Intel chip uses DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s of bandwidth, while the AMD chip uses DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s. Both are dual-channel, and neither supports ECC memory. The Intel part specifies PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the AMD part lists PCIe Gen 3 without a lane count.

Integrated graphics also differ. The Intel Core i3-4150 includes Intel HD 4400, while the AMD PRO A12-8870 includes Radeon R7 graphics. The sockets are completely incompatible: Intel uses Socket 1150, and AMD uses Socket AM4.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The AMD PRO A12-8870 wins every single head-to-head test in the database, with margins ranging from 10.3% to 10.5% depending on the specific Cinebench version. There are zero recorded wins for the Intel Core i3-4150 across five comparable workloads.

The Intel Core i3-4150 should be chosen by users who need its specific platform attributes: the LGA 1150 socket, Intel HD 4400 integrated graphics, or the lower 54 W TDP. The AMD PRO A12-8870 should be chosen by users who prioritize raw benchmark performance, as it delivers a consistent double-digit advantage in every recorded test.

That said, the overall percentile rankings are nearly identical at 32nd for Intel and 31st for AMD, and the average benchmark scores differ by only 12 points (1119 versus 1107). The AMD chip's advantage in head-to-head tests is real and consistent, but it does not translate into a meaningfully different position in the broader CPU landscape.

The AMD part also offers a boost clock of 4.20 GHz versus the Intel's fixed 3.50 GHz, which likely contributes to its single-threaded wins despite the architectural differences. The Intel part counters with a smaller process node, lower TDP, and per-core cache design that some workloads may favor, but the recorded benchmarks show no such advantage.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-4150 | AMD PRO A12-8870 |

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

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| Boost clock | None | 4.20 GHz |

| TDP | 54 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Excavator |

| Process node | 22 nm | 28 nm |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | 3,100 million |

| Die size | 177 mm² | 250 mm² |

| L1 cache | 64 KB (per core) | 320 KB |

| L2 cache | 256 KB (per core) | 2 MB |

| L3 cache | 3 MB (shared) | None |

| Memory support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Memory bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| ECC support | No | No |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Integrated graphics | Intel HD 4400 | Radeon R7 |

| Production status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release date | 2014-04-30 | Not recorded |

| Launch MSRP | $117 | None recorded |

| Unlocked multiplier | No | No |

| Part number | SR1PJ | AD887BAUM44AB |

Where Each One Wins

The AMD PRO A12-8870 wins in every benchmark category recorded in the database. It takes all five head-to-head tests: Cinebench R15 multi-core, R20 multi-core, R20 single-core, R23 multi-core, and R23 single-core. The margins are tight and consistent, ranging from 10.3% to 10.5%. This makes the AMD chip the clear choice for users running Cinebench-style rendering workloads, whether single-threaded or multi-threaded.

The Intel Core i3-4150 has no recorded benchmark wins against the AMD part. Its advantages are structural rather than performance-based. It draws less power at 54 W versus 65 W, uses a more advanced 22 nm manufacturing process, and has a smaller die. It also supports a shared 3 MB L3 cache, which the AMD chip lacks entirely. Users with existing LGA 1150 motherboards or DDR3 memory may find the Intel chip easier to adopt, but the benchmark data shows no performance benefit.

For use cases involving Geekbench workloads, the Intel chip has recorded scores of 1896 multi-core and 968 single-core. No Geekbench results exist for the AMD part in the database, so direct comparison is not possible. Users who rely specifically on Geekbench scores may want to consider that the Intel chip at least has verified results in this test, while the AMD part's Geekbench performance is undocumented.

The AMD PRO A12-8870 offers higher memory bandwidth at 38.4 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s, which could benefit memory-sensitive applications. Its DDR4 support also provides a more modern platform foundation. The Intel chip remains competitive in power efficiency and offers a lower launch MSRP of $117, which is the only price data recorded for either part.

For a new build, the AMD PRO A12-8870 is the benchmark winner across the board. For an upgrade on an existing LGA 1150 platform, the Intel Core i3-4150 may still make sense despite losing every recorded comparison, simply because it fits the socket and power envelope that some users already have in place. The data does not support choosing the Intel chip on performance grounds alone.