AMD PRO A12-8870 vs Intel Core i7-2670QM Comparison

The Verdict

The database places both processors at the 31st percentile among all CPUs, meaning they occupy nearly the same performance tier despite coming from different eras and design philosophies. The AMD PRO A12-8870 takes the win in every single head-to-head benchmark, but the margins are remarkably thin, ranging from 1.1% to 1.3% across all tests. The Intel Core i7-2670QM counters with hyper-threading, giving it 8 threads versus the AMD's 4, yet that advantage does not translate into a single benchmark victory in the recorded data.

The PRO A12-8870 is the pick for users who need a desktop processor with a modern AM4 socket, DDR4 memory support, and PCIe Gen 3 connectivity. The Core i7-2670QM is the pick for users who need a mobile processor with lower power draw, since its TDP is 45 watts compared to the AMD's 65 watts, and who can accept an end-of-life platform. The data shows the AMD chip is slightly faster in every measured workload, but the Intel chip remains competitive despite being from an older generation, and its 8 threads may offer advantages in workloads not captured by the Cinebench suite.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD PRO A12-8870 wins all five recorded benchmarks outright. Its largest margin is 1.3% in Cinebench R15 multicore, R20 multicore, R23 multicore, and R23 singlecore, while its smallest margin is 1.1% in R20 singlecore. The pattern is consistent: the AMD chip holds a small but repeatable lead across both single-threaded and multi-threaded tests. This suggests the AMD's higher clock speeds, with a base of 3.70 GHz and boost of 4.20 GHz, provide a steady advantage over the Intel's 2.20 GHz base and 3.10 GHz boost.

The Intel Core i7-2670QM has no benchmark wins in the database, but it does hold structural advantages that the benchmarks do not capture. Its 8 threads give it double the logical processor count of the AMD, which could matter in heavily threaded applications that scale beyond the four physical cores of both chips. The Intel also draws less power, with a 45-watt TDP versus 65 watts, making it the more efficient choice for thermally constrained environments. However, the recorded data shows no scenario where the Intel chip outperforms the AMD chip in the measured tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design lineages. The AMD PRO A12-8870 uses the Excavator architecture under the Carrizo codename, built on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It packs 3,100 million transistors into a 250 mm² die. The Intel Core i7-2670QM uses the Sandy Bridge architecture, built on a 32 nm process at Intel, with 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die.

The cache configurations diverge sharply. The AMD has a 320 KB L1 cache and a 2 MB L2 cache with no L3 cache at all. The Intel has a 64 KB per core L1 cache, 256 KB per core L2 cache, and a 6 MB shared L3 cache. The Intel's L3 cache is a significant addition that the AMD completely lacks, yet the benchmarks show the AMD still edges ahead, likely due to its higher clock speeds compensating for the missing cache tier.

Memory support differs as well. The AMD supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a measured bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Intel's memory support is not listed in the database, though it does use a dual-channel memory bus. The AMD also supports PCIe Gen 3, while the Intel's PCIe generation is not recorded. Both integrate graphics: the AMD has a Radeon R7 iGPU, while the Intel has HD 3000 graphics. Neither supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-2670QM has 8 threads thanks to hyper-threading on its 4 cores. The AMD PRO A12-8870 has 4 threads on its 4 cores without hyper-threading support.

Q: Does the AMD PRO A12-8870 support DDR4 memory?

A: Yes, the AMD chip lists DDR4 as its memory support type with a dual-channel bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core i7-2670QM's memory support type is not recorded in the database.

Q: Which processor is more power efficient?

A: The Intel Core i7-2670QM has a 45-watt TDP, while the AMD PRO A12-8870 has a 65-watt TDP. The Intel chip draws less power, making it the lower-power option, though the AMD still manages to outperform it in every recorded benchmark.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The AMD PRO A12-8870 is listed as active in production, while the Intel Core i7-2670QM is listed as end-of-life. The Intel chip was released on October 11, 2011.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: Only the Intel Core i7-2670QM has an L3 cache, with 6 MB shared across cores. The AMD PRO A12-8870 has no L3 cache listed in the database, relying instead on its 2 MB L2 cache.

Q: What do the average benchmark scores tell us?

A: The AMD PRO A12-8870 has an average benchmark score of 1107, while the Intel Core i7-2670QM has an average of 1096. The AMD's nearest rivals at this score level include the AMD Opteron 4280 at the same score and the AMD Opteron 3280 at 1106, while the Intel's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-2710QE at the same score and the Intel Core i5-3470S at 1095.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R15 multicore test shows the AMD PRO A12-8870 scoring 324 against the Intel's 320, a 1.3% margin. This is a tight race, and the difference of 4 points falls well within the noise of many benchmark runs, but the database records it as a win for the AMD chip.

Moving to Cinebench R20 multicore, the AMD scores 1351 versus the Intel's 1334, again a 1.3% delta. The absolute gap of 17 points is small, but it is consistent with the R15 result. The AMD's higher clock speeds appear to compensate for the Intel's hyper-threading advantage in this workload.

The single-core tests tell a similar story. In Cinebench R20 singlecore, the AMD scores 190 against 188, a 1.1% margin. In Cinebench R23 singlecore, the AMD scores 454 against 448, a 1.3% margin. The Intel's 8 threads provide no benefit in single-threaded tests, so the AMD's clock speed advantage carries the day.

The Cinebench R23 multicore test shows the AMD at 3218 versus the Intel at 3177, a 1.3% delta. This is the largest absolute point gap in the head-to-head data, at 41 points, but the percentage remains in the same narrow band as the other tests. The pattern across all five benchmarks is remarkably consistent, suggesting the AMD's advantage is systemic rather than workload-specific.

The Intel does have one additional benchmark in its record that the AMD lacks: Geekbench multicore at 1646 and Geekbench singlecore at 556. These scores are not part of the head-to-head comparison, so they do not affect the win count, but they show the Intel chip has been measured in a broader benchmark suite.

Specification Differences

The AMD PRO A12-8870 and Intel Core i7-2670QM differ across nearly every recorded specification. The AMD has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel has 4 cores and 8 threads. The AMD's base clock is 3.70 GHz with a boost of 4.20 GHz, while the Intel's base clock is 2.20 GHz with a boost of 3.10 GHz. The AMD's TDP is 65 watts, the Intel's is 45 watts.

The sockets are incompatible: the AMD uses AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel uses Intel Socket G2 (988B). The architectures are Excavator for the AMD and Sandy Bridge for the Intel, with codenames Carrizo and Sandy Bridge respectively. The process nodes are 28 nm for the AMD and 32 nm for the Intel. The AMD is built by GlobalFoundries, the Intel by Intel's own foundry.

Transistor counts and die sizes differ substantially. The AMD has 3,100 million transistors on a 250 mm² die, while the Intel has 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. Cache configurations are completely different: the AMD has 320 KB L1 and 2 MB L2 with no L3, while the Intel has 64 KB per core L1, 256 KB per core L2, and 6 MB shared L3.

Memory support shows the AMD with DDR4 and a measured bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the Intel's memory type and bandwidth are not recorded. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The AMD lists PCIe Gen 3 support, while the Intel's PCIe generation is not listed. Integrated graphics differ as well: the AMD has Radeon R7, the Intel has HD 3000.

The market segments are opposite: the AMD is a desktop processor, the Intel is a mobile processor. Production statuses differ, with the AMD active and the Intel end-of-life. The Intel has a release date of October 11, 2011, while the AMD's release date is not recorded. Neither processor has a launch MSRP in the database, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The part numbers are AD887BAUM44AB for the AMD and SR02N for the Intel.

The data ultimately shows two processors that perform almost identically in practice, with the AMD holding a razor-thin lead across all measured tests. The Intel's hyper-threading and L3 cache do not translate into benchmark wins, while the AMD's clock speed advantage and newer platform features keep it ahead. For users on a modern AM4 platform with DDR4 memory, the AMD is the clear choice. For users needing a low-power mobile chip with 8 threads, the Intel remains a viable option despite its end-of-life status.