AMD PRO A12-8870 vs Intel Core i7-2860QM Comparison

The Intel Core i7-2860QM holds a consistent performance advantage over the AMD PRO A12-8870 across every recorded benchmark, despite the AMD part’s higher clock speeds and newer memory support. The data shows a clear winner in raw compute, with the Intel chip leading by roughly one-fifth in all tests. The AMD PRO A12-8870, however, is not without merit, as it offers a modern socket, DDR4 support, and a more recent production status. This analysis breaks down the recorded measurements, architectural differences, and the specific use cases where each processor holds an edge.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are unambiguous. The Intel Core i7-2860QM wins all five head-to-head comparisons, with margins hovering around 20 percent. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel scores 390 against the AMD’s 324, a 20.4 percent advantage. The same pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where Intel posts 1626 versus 1351, again a 20.4 percent lead. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows Intel at 3873 and AMD at 3218, a 20.4 percent gap. Single-core results are equally decisive: Cinebench R20 single-core has Intel at 229 and AMD at 190, a 20.5 percent difference, while Cinebench R23 single-core shows Intel at 546 and AMD at 454, a 20.3 percent edge.

These numbers indicate that the Intel processor does not merely win by a small margin; it outperforms the AMD part by a nearly uniform percentage across different workload intensities and rendering generations. The consistency of the delta, ranging from 20.3 to 20.5 percent, suggests a fundamental architectural advantage rather than a benchmark-specific quirk. In the database’s broader context, the Intel Core i7-2860QM holds an average benchmark score of 1120, placing it at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Athlon 240GE with an average score of 1121 (0 percent delta) and the Intel Xeon D-1518 at 1121 (-0.1 percent). The AMD PRO A12-8870, by contrast, averages 1107, sitting at the 31st percentile, with its closest competitor being the AMD Opteron 4280 at 1107 (0 percent delta).

The Intel chip also shows a slight edge in aggregate scoring. Its average benchmark score of 1120 is 13 points higher than the AMD’s 1107, a difference of about 1.2 percent. While small, this gap aligns with the more pronounced 20 percent differences seen in the head-to-head Cinebench tests. The Geekbench results, recorded only for the Intel part, show a multi-core score of 1681 and a single-core score of 558, offering additional context for its overall standing, though no direct AMD comparison is available in the database for those specific tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design eras and philosophies. The Intel Core i7-2860QM is built on the Sandy Bridge architecture, fabricated on a 32 nm process by Intel. It contains 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. The AMD PRO A12-8870 uses the Excavator architecture, codenamed Carrizo, produced on a 28 nm process by GlobalFoundries. This chip packs 3,100 million transistors into a 250 mm² die, nearly three times the transistor count of the Intel part, though on a slightly larger physical area.

Core and thread configurations differ significantly. The Intel chip offers 4 cores and 8 threads, enabling simultaneous multithreading. The AMD part also has 4 cores but only 4 threads, lacking SMT. This means the Intel processor can handle twice as many concurrent threads, which directly contributes to its multi-core benchmark wins. The cache hierarchy reinforces this divide. Intel provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. AMD offers 320 KB of L1 total and 2 MB of L2 total, with no L3 cache at all. The absence of a shared L3 cache on the AMD side is a notable disadvantage in workloads that benefit from larger, shared memory pools.

Clock speeds tell a different story. The AMD PRO A12-8870 runs at a base clock of 3.70 GHz and boosts to 4.20 GHz, significantly higher than the Intel’s 2.50 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost. Despite this clock advantage, the AMD chip cannot overcome the Intel’s architectural efficiency and thread count in the recorded benchmarks. The Intel part’s lower clocks but superior per-thread performance and SMT support prove more decisive in rendering workloads.

Process node and foundry also diverge. Intel uses a 32 nm process at its own foundry, while AMD relies on GlobalFoundries’ 28 nm process. The smaller Intel node partially explains the lower transistor count and die size, though the AMD chip’s larger transistor budget does not translate into benchmark victories. The Intel part draws 45 W TDP, while the AMD part is rated at 65 W, meaning the AMD chip consumes more power while delivering less performance in these tests.

Memory support marks another key divergence. The AMD PRO A12-8870 supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a recorded bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Intel Core i7-2860QM also uses dual-channel memory, but the database lists no specific memory type or bandwidth figure for it. The Intel chip lacks ECC support, as does the AMD part. For integrated graphics, Intel includes HD 3000, while AMD equips the Radeon R7. The AMD chip also supports PCIe Gen 3, while the Intel part’s PCIe capability is not recorded in the database.

Where Each One Wins

Given the benchmark data, the Intel Core i7-2860QM is the clear choice for compute-heavy tasks. Its 20.4 percent lead in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests makes it superior for rendering, video encoding, and any multithreaded workload that can leverage its 8 threads. The single-core wins of 20.3 to 20.5 percent further indicate that even lightly threaded applications, such as older games or office software, will run faster on the Intel chip. The presence of 8 MB of shared L3 cache also benefits workloads with large working sets, reducing memory latency and improving data reuse.

The AMD PRO A12-8870, despite losing all benchmarks, holds advantages in areas not captured by the recorded tests. Its higher base and boost clocks (3.70 GHz and 4.20 GHz versus 2.50 GHz and 3.60 GHz) could theoretically benefit certain burst workloads or applications that are heavily clock-sensitive, though the Cinebench single-core results do not bear this out. The DDR4 memory support and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth give the AMD platform a more modern foundation for system builders, and its PCIe Gen 3 support enables faster connectivity for GPUs and NVMe storage. The Radeon R7 integrated graphics may also offer different capabilities compared to Intel HD 3000, though no benchmark data is available to quantify this.

The production status also favors AMD. The Intel chip is marked as end-of-life, while the AMD part remains active. The AMD PRO A12-8870 uses the AMD Socket AM4, a widely adopted platform that offers upgrade paths and modern motherboard compatibility. The Intel part uses the older Intel Socket G2 (988B), which is tied to legacy mobile platforms. For a new system build, the AMD part’s active status and modern socket make it the more practical platform choice, even if its raw performance lags.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. The Intel Core i7-2860QM has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD PRO A12-8870 has 4 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks differ: Intel at 2.50 GHz, AMD at 3.70 GHz. Boost clocks differ: Intel at 3.60 GHz, AMD at 4.20 GHz. TDP differs: Intel at 45 W, AMD at 65 W. Sockets differ: Intel uses Socket G2 (988B), AMD uses Socket AM4. Architectures differ: Intel on Sandy Bridge, AMD on Excavator. Process nodes differ: Intel at 32 nm, AMD at 28 nm. Transistor counts differ: Intel at 1,160 million, AMD at 3,100 million. Die sizes differ: Intel at 216 mm², AMD at 250 mm².

Cache configurations are entirely different. Intel provides 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. AMD provides 320 KB L1 total and 2 MB L2 total, with no L3. Memory support differs: AMD lists DDR4 and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while Intel lists no specific memory type or bandwidth. PCIe support differs: AMD has Gen 3, Intel has none recorded. Integrated graphics differ: Intel HD 3000 versus AMD Radeon R7. Market segment differs: Intel is mobile, AMD is desktop. Production status differs: Intel is end-of-life, AMD is active. Release dates differ: Intel recorded as 2011-09-03, AMD has no recorded release date. Part numbers differ: Intel SR02X, AMD AD887BAUM44AB. Neither chip has a recorded launch MSRP, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-2860QM has 8 threads, while the AMD PRO A12-8870 has 4 threads. Both have 4 cores, but Intel doubles the thread count through simultaneous multithreading.

Q: What is the benchmark score difference in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i7-2860QM scores 3873, and the AMD PRO A12-8870 scores 3218. This gives Intel a 20.4 percent advantage in that test.

Q: Does the AMD PRO A12-8870 have a higher clock speed?

A: Yes. The AMD chip has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz, compared to the Intel’s 2.50 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: The AMD PRO A12-8870 supports DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core i7-2860QM has no memory type recorded in the database, though it does use dual-channel memory.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i7-2860QM has an average benchmark score of 1120, placing it at the 32nd percentile. The AMD PRO A12-8870 averages 1107, at the 31st percentile.

Q: Which processor has a larger cache?

A: The Intel Core i7-2860QM has 8 MB of shared L3 cache plus 256 KB of L2 per core. The AMD PRO A12-8870 has only 2 MB of L2 total and no L3 cache.

The Verdict

The data points to a single conclusion: the Intel Core i7-2860QM is the faster processor in every recorded benchmark. Its 20.4 percent lead in multi-core tests and 20.3 to 20.5 percent lead in single-core tests make it the superior choice for any workload measured in the database. The Intel chip’s 8 threads, 8 MB of L3 cache, and lower TDP of 45 W give it both a performance and efficiency advantage over the AMD part, which draws 65 W while delivering less compute.

However, the AMD PRO A12-8870 is not without a role. Its active production status, modern AM4 socket, DDR4 support, and PCIe Gen 3 capability make it a more forward-looking platform for system builders who prioritize upgrade paths and modern connectivity over raw benchmark scores. The AMD chip’s higher clock speeds (3.70 GHz base, 4.20 GHz boost) may appeal in scenarios where clock frequency is prized, though the recorded single-core benchmarks do not reflect an advantage.

For users choosing solely on recorded performance, the Intel Core i7-2860QM is the answer. Its wins across all five head-to-head tests, consistent 20 percent margins, and higher average benchmark score (1120 versus 1107) leave no ambiguity. For those building a new desktop system on a current platform with DDR4 memory and active driver support, the AMD PRO A12-8870 offers a viable foundation, accepting a 20 percent performance deficit in exchange for modern platform features. The database’s percentile rankings (32nd for Intel, 31st for AMD) show both parts are mid-range by historical standards, but within this comparison, Intel holds the performance crown.