AMD PRO A12-8870 vs Intel Core i5-3450S Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a clear pattern: the Intel Core i5-3450S wins every single head-to-head benchmark in the database. Across the five Cinebench tests where both processors have matching entries, the Intel part leads by a remarkably consistent margin. The multi-core results show the i5-3450S scoring 377 versus 324 in Cinebench R15, a 14.1% advantage. That same delta appears again in Cinebench R20, where Intel scores 1573 against AMD's 1351, and in Cinebench R23, where the margin is 3747 versus 3218. The consistency is striking: all three multi-core tests land at exactly -14.1% for the AMD PRO A12-8870.

Single-core performance tells a similar story with slightly larger gaps. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-3450S posts 222 while the A12-8870 manages 190, a 14.4% difference. Cinebench R23 single-core shows Intel at 529 versus AMD's 454, a 14.2% gap. The AMD part does not have a recorded Cinebench R15 single-core score, but the database does include one for Intel: 53 points. This omission means the single-core comparison across all three Cinebench generations is incomplete, but the available data points all favor Intel.

The aggregate benchmark scores reinforce this picture. The AMD PRO A12-8870 carries an average benchmark score of 1107, while the Intel Core i5-3450S sits at 1099. These averages are nearly identical, yet the head-to-head results show Intel winning decisively in every paired test. This discrepancy suggests that the average score includes different test sets for each processor, and the common ground where they directly compete is where Intel's advantage becomes apparent. Both CPUs occupy the 31st percentile among all processors in the database, indicating they are contemporaries in overall performance class, but within their shared workload comparisons, Intel holds the edge.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-3450S wins in every workload category represented in the head-to-head data. Both multi-threaded and single-threaded Cinebench tests favor Intel, which means rendering tasks, whether they scale across cores or rely on a single thread, will see the i5-3450S finish ahead. The multi-core margins of 14.1% across R15, R20, and R23 suggest that applications like video encoding, 3D rendering, and compilation will consistently complete faster on the Intel part. The single-core margins, at 14.2% and 14.4%, point to advantages in lightly threaded workloads such as legacy software, certain game engines, and everyday desktop responsiveness.

The AMD PRO A12-8870 does not win any benchmark in the paired comparison. However, its higher base clock of 3.70 GHz and boost clock of 4.20 GHz compared to Intel's 2.80 GHz and 3.50 GHz do not translate into measured performance wins. The database shows zero wins for AMD and five for Intel. This outcome is notable because the AMD part's clock advantage is substantial on paper, yet the Intel architecture delivers better results in every recorded test. The data implies that architectural efficiency, specifically the Ivy Bridge design's superior instructions per clock, overcomes the raw frequency deficit.

For users prioritizing integrated graphics, the AMD part includes Radeon R7 graphics compared to Intel's HD 2500. The database does not include graphics benchmarks for either processor, so any conclusion about visual output must remain qualitative. Similarly, memory support differs: AMD supports DDR4 while Intel supports DDR3, but no memory benchmarks exist in the data to quantify the impact of that difference.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design eras and philosophies. The AMD PRO A12-8870 uses the Excavator architecture, part of the Carrizo generation, built on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It packs 3,100 million transistors into a 250 mm² die. The Intel Core i5-3450S uses Ivy Bridge, built on a 22 nm process at Intel, with 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die. The smaller, denser process node gives Intel a significant transistor density advantage, which likely contributes to its higher performance per watt and per clock.

Cache layouts differ considerably. The AMD part has 320 KB of L1 and 2 MB of L2, with no L3 cache at all. The Intel part has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a 6 MB shared L3 cache. This means the i5-3450S has a total of 256 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 across four cores, plus a substantial 6 MB L3 pool. The presence of L3 cache on Intel versus its complete absence on AMD is a major architectural divergence. The larger, multi-level cache hierarchy on Intel likely explains much of its benchmark superiority, especially in workloads with data reuse patterns.

Memory support also differs. AMD supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a recorded bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. Intel supports DDR3 with a dual-channel bus, but the database lists no bandwidth figure for the i5-3450S. This means the AMD part has a quantified memory bandwidth advantage, yet the overall performance data still favors Intel. The socket and platform differ as well: AMD uses Socket AM4, while Intel uses Socket 1155. Both support PCIe Gen 3, though Intel specifies 16 lanes from the CPU, while AMD's listing simply says Gen 3 without lane count.

Integrated graphics are a point of differentiation. AMD includes Radeon R7 graphics, while Intel includes HD 2500. Both are entry-level iGPU solutions, but the database provides no performance metrics for either. The production status also differs: AMD lists the A12-8870 as active, while Intel's status is not recorded. The Intel part has a release date of 2012-04-28, while AMD's release date is not listed.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward conclusion for users choosing between these two processors: the Intel Core i5-3450S is the faster CPU in every benchmark where both have recorded scores. The consistency of the 14.1% to 14.4% margins across all five head-to-head tests indicates a uniform performance gap that does not vary by workload type. Whether the task is multi-threaded rendering or single-threaded responsiveness, the i5-3450S delivers superior results.

The AMD PRO A12-8870's higher clock speeds, larger die, and DDR4 support do not translate into performance wins. The Intel part's architectural efficiency, enabled by a smaller process node, a larger cache hierarchy including L3, and superior per-clock execution, overcomes these apparent advantages. Users who already own an AM4 platform or require DDR4 memory support might prefer the AMD part for platform compatibility, but the performance data does not justify choosing it on speed alone.

The Intel part's release in 2012 and AMD's active production status complicate the purchasing decision. The AMD CPU is still listed as active, meaning it may be easier to source new. The Intel CPU, despite its age, remains competitive in the database's percentile ranking, tied with the AMD part at the 31st percentile. For users with existing Socket 1155 motherboards, the i5-3450S offers a clear performance upgrade path. For users building on AM4, the A12-8870 provides a functional but slower option.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD PRO A12-8870 has an average benchmark score of 1107, while the Intel Core i5-3450S has 1099. The difference is only 8 points, less than 1%, but the head-to-head benchmarks tell a different story.

Q: How much faster is the Intel Core i5-3450S in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel part leads by 14.1% in all three multi-core Cinebench tests (R15, R20, and R23), scoring 377 versus 324, 1573 versus 1351, and 3747 versus 3218 respectively.

Q: Does the AMD PRO A12-8870 win any benchmark?

A: No. The head-to-head data records zero wins for the AMD processor and five wins for the Intel Core i5-3450S across all paired Cinebench tests.

Q: What is the cache difference between the two processors?

A: The AMD part has 320 KB of L1 and 2 MB of L2 with no L3 cache. The Intel part has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: The AMD PRO A12-8870 supports DDR4 with dual-channel memory and a recorded bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Intel Core i5-3450S supports DDR3 with dual-channel memory, but no bandwidth figure is recorded.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. Both the AMD PRO A12-8870 and the Intel Core i5-3450S have locked multipliers, as indicated by the multiplierUnlocked field being false for both.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD PRO A12-8870 | Intel Core i5-3450S |

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

| Base Clock | 3.70 GHz | 2.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.20 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel Socket 1155 |

| Architecture | Excavator | Ivy Bridge |

| Codename | Carrizo | Ivy Bridge |

| Generation | A12 (Carrizo) | Core i5 (Ivy Bridge) |

| Process Node | 28 nm | 22 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

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

| Die Size | 250 mm² | 160 mm² |

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

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

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

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | Not recorded |

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

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon R7 | Intel HD 2500 |

| Production Status | Active | Not recorded |

| Release Date | Not recorded | 2012-04-28 |

| Part Number | AD887BAUM44AB | SR0P2 |