AMD PRO A12-8870 vs Intel Core i7-5557U Comparison

The Intel Core i7-5557U and AMD PRO A12-8870 are two processors from different eras and market segments, yet their average benchmark scores place them within 0.2% of each other. The data shows a clear split: the AMD part wins every head-to-head benchmark in the pack, while the Intel part counters with a lower TDP, a smaller process node, and a different feature set. This analysis walks through the exact benchmark deltas, where each chip is preferable, and the architectural and specification differences that explain the performance gap.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD PRO A12-8870 dominates every benchmark listed in the head-to-head comparison, winning all five tests. The margin is remarkably consistent across all workloads. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD scores 324 against the Intel’s 270, a delta of -16.7% (meaning the Intel trails by 16.7%). That exact percentage repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where AMD scores 1351 versus Intel’s 1126, and again in Cinebench R23 multi-core, with AMD at 3218 and Intel at 2682. The single-core results tell the same story: Cinebench R20 single-core shows AMD at 190 versus Intel’s 158 (-16.8%), and Cinebench R23 single-core shows AMD at 454 versus Intel’s 378 (-16.7%).

The consistency of the ~16.7% deficit across both single- and multi-threaded tests is notable. It suggests the performance gap is not workload-specific but rather a fundamental throughput difference. The AMD chip has 4 physical cores versus Intel’s 2, yet both have 4 threads. Despite the Intel part’s Hyper-Threading, the AMD part’s higher base clock (3.70 GHz vs 3.10 GHz) and boost clock (4.20 GHz vs 3.40 GHz) appear to give it a decisive edge in every Cinebench scenario. The largest single delta is in Cinebench R20 single-core at -16.8%, a hair above the -16.7% seen elsewhere, but this is within rounding noise.

There are no tests in the head-to-head set where the Intel wins. The win count is 0 for Intel and 5 for AMD. However, the near-identical average benchmark scores — Intel at 1110 and AMD at 1107 — indicate that other benchmarks outside this head-to-head set must favor the Intel chip. The Intel part has Geekbench scores (multi-core 2099, single-core 1060) that are not present for the AMD part, and those scores likely pull its average up to parity.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD PRO A12-8870 wins in all measured rendering workloads. Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both multi-core and single-core variants, all go to AMD. For users running CPU-bound rendering or video encoding tasks that scale with Cinebench-style workloads, the data shows AMD is faster by a consistent ~17%. The AMD part also has a higher memory bandwidth rating (38.4 GB/s versus 29.9 GB/s) and supports DDR4 memory, which could benefit memory-intensive applications beyond the synthetic benchmarks shown.

The Intel Core i7-5557U wins in efficiency and platform flexibility, though not in raw benchmark scores. Its TDP is 28 watts versus AMD’s 65 watts, a substantial difference. The Intel part is built on a 14 nm process versus AMD’s 28 nm, and it integrates Intel Iris 6100 graphics, while AMD integrates Radeon R7. The Intel chip also has a smaller die size (133 mm² versus 250 mm²) and fewer transistors (1,900 million versus 3,100 million), which correlates with lower power draw. For scenarios where sustained performance under a tight thermal envelope matters — such as thin-and-light laptops, given its Mobile market segment — the Intel part has a structural advantage that benchmarks alone do not capture.

The Intel part also has a dedicated L3 cache of 4 MB (shared), while the AMD part lists no L3 cache at all, relying on 2 MB of L2. This cache hierarchy difference could favor the Intel chip in latency-sensitive, cache-resident workloads, though no such benchmark appears in the pack. The AMD part’s advantage in clock speed and core count dominates the measured tests, but the Intel part’s architectural efficiency at lower power is its clear win condition.

The Verdict

Benchmark results indicate that the AMD PRO A12-8870 is the faster processor in every measured test. If the decision is based purely on Cinebench scores, the AMD part is the correct choice. It delivers 16.7% higher multi-core performance and 16.7-16.8% higher single-core performance across three versions of the Cinebench suite. Its 4 physical cores and higher clocks translate directly into better rendering throughput. The AMD part also offers DDR4 support and higher memory bandwidth, which are forward-looking features for a desktop platform.

The Intel Core i7-5557U is the correct choice for a different set of constraints. Its 28 W TDP is less than half of the AMD part’s 65 W, making it suitable for passively cooled or battery-powered systems. Its Mobile market segment and Intel BGA 1168 socket indicate it is designed for laptops, not desktops. For a user who prioritizes power efficiency, integrated Iris 6100 graphics, and a 14 nm process node, the Intel part has merits that the benchmark scores do not reflect. Its average benchmark score of 1110 is actually 0.1% higher than the AMD’s 1107, despite losing every head-to-head test, implying that its Geekbench results compensate.

There is no single winner across all criteria. The AMD PRO A12-8870 wins on raw performance and memory bandwidth. The Intel Core i7-5557U wins on power, process technology, and cache hierarchy. A desktop user with adequate cooling and a need for rendering speed should pick AMD. A mobile user with a strict thermal budget should pick Intel. The data does not support picking Intel for performance, but it does support picking Intel for efficiency.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher Cinebench R23 multi-core score?

A: The AMD PRO A12-8870 scores 3218, which is 16.7% higher than the Intel Core i7-5557U’s 2682.

Q: Is the Intel Core i7-5557U faster in any benchmark in the head-to-head set?

A: No. The AMD PRO A12-8870 wins all five head-to-head benchmarks, with deltas ranging from -16.7% to -16.8% in favor of AMD.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for these two processors?

A: The Intel Core i7-5557U has a TDP of 28 watts, while the AMD PRO A12-8870 has a TDP of 65 watts.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. Both the Intel Core i7-5557U and the AMD PRO A12-8870 have ECC memory support listed as false.

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock speed?

A: The AMD PRO A12-8870 has a base clock of 3.70 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Core i7-5557U’s 3.10 GHz.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i7-5557U has an average benchmark score of 1110, while the AMD PRO A12-8870 has an average of 1107, a difference of 0.2% in favor of Intel.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-5557U is built on the Broadwell architecture, specifically the Broadwell-U codename, using a 14 nm process node from Intel. It contains 1,900 million transistors on a 133 mm² die. Its cache layout is per-core L1 at 64 KB and L2 at 256 KB, plus a shared 4 MB L3 cache. The integrated graphics are Intel Iris 6100. The processor is marked as End-of-life and was released in 2015. Its socket is Intel BGA 1168, and its market segment is Mobile.

The AMD PRO A12-8870 uses the Excavator architecture, codenamed Carrizo, fabricated by GlobalFoundries on a 28 nm process. It has 3,100 million transistors on a 250 mm² die. The cache is 320 KB L1 and 2 MB L2, with no L3 cache present. Integrated graphics are Radeon R7. The part is listed as Active in production, with no release date provided. Its socket is AMD Socket AM4, and its market segment is Desktop.

The process node difference is stark: 14 nm versus 28 nm. That explains the transistor density disparity — Intel packs 1,900 million transistors into 133 mm², while AMD uses 3,100 million across 250 mm². The AMD part has more total transistors but a larger die and higher power draw. The Intel part’s 4 MB of L3 cache is a significant architectural advantage over the AMD part’s lack of L3. The AMD part compensates with 2 MB of L2, but the cache hierarchy is fundamentally different. Both have dual-channel memory buses, but AMD supports DDR4 while Intel supports DDR3. PCIe generations also differ: Intel is Gen 2 with 12 lanes (CPU only), while AMD is Gen 3 with no lane count specified.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification field except threads, memory bus width, and ECC support. The core count differs: Intel has 2 cores, AMD has 4 cores. Both have 4 threads. Base clocks are 3.10 GHz for Intel and 3.70 GHz for AMD. Boost clocks are 3.40 GHz for Intel and 4.20 GHz for AMD. TDP is 28 W for Intel and 65 W for AMD. Sockets are Intel BGA 1168 and AMD Socket AM4. Architecture names are Broadwell and Excavator. Process nodes are 14 nm and 28 nm. Transistor counts are 1,900 million and 3,100 million. Die sizes are 133 mm² and 250 mm².

Cache specifications differ completely. Intel has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. AMD has 320 KB L1 total and 2 MB L2 total, with no L3. Memory support is DDR3 for Intel and DDR4 for AMD. Memory bandwidth is 29.9 GB/s for Intel and 38.4 GB/s for AMD. PCIe is Gen 2 with 12 lanes for Intel and Gen 3 for AMD. Integrated graphics are Intel Iris 6100 versus Radeon R7. Market segments are Mobile versus Desktop. Production status is End-of-life versus Active. The Intel part has a listed release date of 2015 and a launch MSRP of $426; the AMD part has no release date and no launch MSRP. The multiplier is locked on both, and neither supports ECC. The part numbers are SR26E for Intel and AD887BAUM44AB for AMD.