AMD PRO A12-8870 vs Intel Core i7-2710QE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clean sweep for the AMD PRO A12-8870 across all five Cinebench tests, though the margins are remarkably thin. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD part scores 324 against Intel's 321, a 0.9% advantage. That pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where AMD posts 1351 versus 1338, a 1% lead. The single-core results follow the same trajectory: AMD wins R20 single-core 190 to 188 (1.1% ahead) and R23 single-core 454 to 449 (also 1.1% ahead). The R23 multi-core test shows AMD at 3218 versus Intel's 3186, again a 1% gap.

These deltas are small enough that they fall within typical run-to-run variance for modern benchmark suites. The AMD PRO A12-8870 wins all five head-to-head matchups, but the largest margin is just 1.1%. What matters more is the broader context. Both processors sit at the 31st percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy nearly identical positions in the overall performance distribution. The AMD chip's average benchmark score is 1107, while the Intel part averages 1096.

Looking at the nearest rivals for each processor clarifies the picture. The AMD PRO A12-8870 is bracketed by the AMD Opteron 4280 at an identical 1107 average score (0% delta), the AMD Athlon X4 845 and AMD Opteron 3280 at 1106 (0.1% ahead), and the Intel Core i5-4570T at 1108 (0.1% behind). The Intel Core i7-2710QE sits alongside the Intel Core i7-2670QM at 1096 (0% delta), the Intel Core i5-3470S at 1095 (0.1% ahead), the AMD PRO A10-8850B at 1098 (0.1% behind), and the Intel Core i7-4610M at 1094 (0.2% ahead). In both cases, the rival clusters are tightly packed, confirming that neither chip has a meaningful aggregate performance edge over its direct competitors.

The interesting nuance is that the AMD processor achieves its wins despite having 4 threads versus the Intel part's 8 threads. The Core i7-2710QE can process twice as many threads simultaneously, yet the AMD part still edges ahead in every multi-threaded workload. That speaks to the AMD chip's higher clock speeds, which are substantial: 3.70 GHz base and 4.20 GHz boost versus Intel's 2.10 GHz base and 3.00 GHz boost. The AMD part compensates for its thread deficit with raw frequency, and the benchmark data confirms this tradeoff lands in AMD's favor, albeit narrowly.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design eras and philosophies. 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 i7-2710QE uses Sandy Bridge, manufactured on Intel's 32 nm process, with 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. The transistor count difference is striking: AMD's chip has nearly three times as many transistors, though on a larger and older-feeling process node.

Cache configurations diverge sharply. The AMD part has 320 KB of L1 cache and 2 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache at all. The Intel part provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a shared 6 MB L3 cache. For a 4-core processor, Intel's per-core L2 allocation works out to roughly 1 MB total, which is half of AMD's aggregate L2. But the 6 MB shared L3 gives Intel a significant cache hierarchy advantage, one that should help with frequently accessed data and multi-threaded workloads. The benchmark results suggest this advantage is not enough to overcome AMD's clock speed lead.

Memory support also differs. The AMD PRO A12-8870 supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel access and a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Intel Core i7-2710QE's memory support field is not recorded in the database, though it also uses dual-channel memory. Neither chip supports ECC memory. PCIe capabilities differ as well: the AMD part supports PCIe Gen 3, while the Intel part's PCIe generation is not recorded.

Integrated graphics set the two apart. The AMD PRO A12-8870 carries Radeon R7 graphics, while the Intel Core i7-2710QE includes Intel HD 3000. Both are integrated solutions, but the database records no benchmark comparisons for the graphics components, so any performance assessment would be speculative. The AMD part is classified as a desktop processor, while the Intel chip is a mobile part. That market segment difference explains the Intel chip's lower 45 W TDP versus AMD's 65 W TDP, and it also explains why the Intel part is end-of-life while the AMD part remains active in production.

The sockets are completely incompatible: AMD uses Socket AM4, while Intel uses Socket G2 (988B). This means no upgrade path exists between the two, and any system built around one cannot accept the other. The AMD part's part number is AD887BAUM44AB, and the Intel part's is SR02T. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not an option on either platform. The Intel part has a release date recorded as January 2, 2011, while the AMD part's release date is not recorded in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher clock speed?

A: The AMD PRO A12-8870 runs at 3.70 GHz base and 4.20 GHz boost. The Intel Core i7-2710QE runs at 2.10 GHz base and 3.00 GHz boost. The AMD part holds a 1.6 GHz advantage at base and a 1.2 GHz advantage at boost.

Q: How do the thread counts compare, and does it matter in benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i7-2710QE has 8 threads versus the AMD PRO A12-8870's 4 threads. Despite having half the thread count, the AMD part wins all five recorded Cinebench comparisons, with deltas ranging from 0.9% to 1.1%.

Q: Do these processors have the same overall performance standing?

A: Yes, both sit at the 31st percentile among all CPUs in the database. The AMD part has an average benchmark score of 1107, and the Intel part has 1096. The AMD chip's nearest rival at 0% delta is the AMD Opteron 4280, while the Intel chip's nearest rival at 0% delta is the Intel Core i7-2670QM.

Q: What are the cache differences between the two?

A: The AMD PRO A12-8870 has 320 KB of L1 and 2 MB of L2, with no L3. The Intel Core i7-2710QE has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3.

Q: Are these processors compatible with the same motherboards?

A: No. The AMD PRO A12-8870 uses AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel Core i7-2710QE uses Intel Socket G2 (988B). They are not interchangeable.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The AMD PRO A12-8870 is listed as active in production. The Intel Core i7-2710QE is listed as end-of-life.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD PRO A12-8870 | Intel Core i7-2710QE |

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

| Cores | 4 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.70 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.20 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 45 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel Socket G2 (988B) |

| Architecture | Excavator | Sandy Bridge |

| Codename | Carrizo | Sandy Bridge |

| Process Node | 28 nm | 32 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 3,100 million | 1,160 million |

| Die Size | 250 mm² | 216 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 | Not recorded |

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

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Not recorded |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon R7 | Intel HD 3000 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | Not recorded | 2011-01-02 |

The Verdict

The benchmark data tells a straightforward story: the AMD PRO A12-8870 is the faster processor in every recorded test, but only by a hair. A 0.9% to 1.1% margin across all five Cinebench workloads means the two chips are effectively performance peers in day-to-day use. The AMD part wins consistently, which is notable given its 4-thread handicap against Intel's 8 threads. The higher clock speeds, 3.70 GHz base and 4.20 GHz boost, clearly compensate for the thread deficit.

The Intel Core i7-2710QE should appeal to anyone prioritizing power efficiency. Its 45 W TDP is substantially lower than the AMD part's 65 W, and it carries a larger cache hierarchy with 6 MB of shared L3. It is also a mobile part, which aligns with lower-power system designs. However, its end-of-life production status and 2011 release date make it a dated choice in 2025 terms.

The AMD PRO A12-8870 is the better pick for desktop systems where the higher TDP is acceptable. It supports DDR4 memory, offers PCIe Gen 3, and remains in active production. Its Radeon R7 integrated graphics, while not benchmarked here, represent a more modern graphics solution than Intel HD 3000. The AMD part also wins on raw performance in every measured category, even if the margins are small.

For users who need maximum multi-threaded throughput, the Intel part's 8 threads might seem more attractive on paper. The data shows otherwise: the AMD part wins Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests despite having half the threads. For users who need a mobile processor with lower power draw, the Intel part is the only choice between the two, as the AMD part is classified as desktop-only. For everyone else, the AMD PRO A12-8870 is the safer recommendation based on the recorded measurements.