AMD PRO A12-8870 vs Intel Xeon D-1518 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded benchmark data is unambiguous on the outcome: the Intel Xeon D-1518 wins every head-to-head comparison in the database. Across five Cinebench tests, the Xeon D-1518 takes all five wins, while the AMD PRO A12-8870 records zero. That does not mean the AMD chip is without purpose, but its strengths lie outside the measured Cinebench workloads.

For multi-threaded rendering tasks, the Xeon D-1518 is clearly the stronger choice. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 390 against 324 for the AMD PRO A12-8870, a 20.4% advantage. That lead grows slightly in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Xeon posts 1628 versus 1351, a 20.5% gap. The same margin holds in Cinebench R23 multi-core: 3877 versus 3218, again 20.5%. If your workflow is heavily threaded, such as video encoding, 3D rendering, or batch processing, the data points firmly toward Intel.

Single-threaded performance also favors the Xeon D-1518, though the AMD part has a higher base clock. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Xeon scores 229 against 190, a 20.5% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the margin is identical at 20.5%: 547 versus 454. The AMD PRO A12-8870 does benefit from a boost clock up to 4.20 GHz, but the recorded scores show that raw frequency does not translate into a win under these workloads. The Intel architecture extracts more performance per clock, at least in the Cinebench suite.

The AMD PRO A12-8870 does have one clear advantage in the database: integrated graphics. It ships with a Radeon R7 iGPU, while the Xeon D-1518 has no integrated graphics listed. For a basic desktop build without a discrete GPU, that makes the AMD part usable out of the box. The Xeon requires a separate graphics solution, which is typical for a server class part.

Socket compatibility also splits their use cases. The AMD PRO A12-8870 uses AMD Socket AM4, a mainstream desktop platform. The Xeon D-1518 uses Intel BGA 1667, which is a soldered, embedded style socket. That means the Xeon is not a drop-in upgrade for an existing board; it is designed for compact server or workstation systems where the CPU is permanently attached. The AMD part offers more flexibility for a builder who wants to swap CPUs later.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages and manufacturing processes. The Intel Xeon D-1518 is built on Broadwell, a 14 nm process from Intel's own fabs. It integrates 3,200 million transistors on a 246 mm² die. The AMD PRO A12-8870 uses the Excavator architecture, codenamed Carrizo, fabricated by GlobalFoundries on a 28 nm process. It packs 3,100 million transistors onto a 250 mm² die. The Intel node is denser, which partly explains how it achieves higher performance at a much lower thermal envelope.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. Both have 4 physical cores, but the Xeon D-1518 supports 8 threads via Hyper-Threading, while the AMD PRO A12-8870 has 4 threads with no SMT. This doubling of threads is a major factor in the multi-core benchmark results. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon's 8 threads deliver 390 points versus 324 for the AMD's 4 threads, a 20.4% gap. The thread advantage compounds as the workload scales.

Cache hierarchies are structured differently. The Xeon D-1518 has a per-core layout: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 1.5 MB L3 per core. The AMD PRO A12-8870 has a larger unified L1 at 320 KB total and 2 MB L2, but no L3 cache at all. In the Cinebench tests, the Intel's larger total L3 capacity (6 MB across four cores) likely helps with repeated data access patterns, though the database does not isolate cache effects.

Memory support is another divider. The Xeon D-1518 supports both DDR3 and DDR4, while the AMD PRO A12-8870 only supports DDR4. The AMD part has a listed memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, which is not matched by a corresponding figure for the Intel chip in the database. Both use dual-channel memory buses. ECC memory is supported by the Xeon but not by the AMD part; that is a critical feature for servers and workstations where data integrity matters. The AMD PRO A12-8870 is a desktop part, so the absence of ECC is less surprising.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The Xeon D-1518 provides Gen 3 with 24 lanes (CPU only), a generous allocation for server expansion cards, storage controllers, or networking. The AMD PRO A12-8870 lists simply Gen 3 without a lane count in the database. For a server workload with many peripherals, the Xeon's lane count is a practical advantage.

Power consumption is a major architectural distinction. The Xeon D-1518 has a TDP of 35 watts, while the AMD PRO A12-8870 is rated at 65 watts. That is nearly double the thermal budget. In a dense server chassis or a fanless embedded system, the Intel part is far easier to cool. The AMD part's higher TDP reflects its older 28 nm process and higher clock speeds.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1518 wins all multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 3877 versus 3218 for the AMD PRO A12-8870, a 20.5% advantage. The Intel part's 8 threads against 4 threads is the key factor.

Q: Does the AMD PRO A12-8870 have any advantage in single-core performance?

A: No, despite a higher base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz, the AMD part loses every single-core test. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Xeon D-1518 scores 547 versus 454, a 20.5% lead.

Q: Can I use ECC memory with either CPU?

A: Only the Intel Xeon D-1518 supports ECC memory. The AMD PRO A12-8870 does not list ECC support in the database. This makes the Intel part suitable for error-sensitive server workloads.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: The AMD PRO A12-8870 includes a Radeon R7 integrated GPU. The Intel Xeon D-1518 has no integrated graphics listed, so a discrete GPU is required for display output.

Q: Are these CPUs interchangeable on the same motherboard?

A: No. The Intel Xeon D-1518 uses Intel BGA 1667, a soldered socket, while the AMD PRO A12-8870 uses AMD Socket AM4, a standard desktop socket. They are physically incompatible.

Q: What do the average benchmark scores suggest about overall performance?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1518 has an average benchmark score of 1121, placing it in the 32nd percentile of all CPUs. The AMD PRO A12-8870 averages 1107, at the 31st percentile. The 1.3% difference in average score is small, but the Xeon wins every individual test.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ on nearly every key specification in the database:

• Threads: Intel Xeon D-1518 has 8 threads; AMD PRO A12-8870 has 4 threads.
• Base clock: Intel runs at 2.20 GHz; AMD runs at 3.70 GHz.
• Boost clock: Intel has none listed; AMD boosts to 4.20 GHz.
• TDP: Intel is 35 watts; AMD is 65 watts.
• Socket: Intel uses BGA 1667; AMD uses Socket AM4.
• Process node: Intel is 14 nm; AMD is 28 nm.
• Transistors: Intel has 3,200 million; AMD has 3,100 million.
• Die size: Intel is 246 mm²; AMD is 250 mm².
• L1 cache: Intel has 64 KB per core; AMD has 320 KB total.
• L2 cache: Intel has 256 KB per core; AMD has 2 MB total.
• L3 cache: Intel has 1.5 MB per core; AMD has none.
• Memory support: Intel supports DDR3 and DDR4; AMD supports only DDR4.
• Memory bandwidth: Intel has no listed figure; AMD has 38.4 GB/s.
• ECC memory: Intel supports it; AMD does not.
• Integrated graphics: Intel has none; AMD has Radeon R7.
• Market segment: Intel is server/workstation; AMD is desktop.
• Launch MSRP: Intel is $193; AMD has no listed MSRP.
• Release date: Intel launched on March 8, 2015; AMD has no listed release date.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are consistent across all five Cinebench tests. The Intel Xeon D-1518 wins every one, with a delta of 20.4% or 20.5% in each case.

The largest absolute margin comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core. The Intel part scores 3877, the AMD part scores 3218, a difference of 659 points. That is a 20.5% advantage and the most demanding workload in the set. For a render farm or a batch job that runs for hours, that gap translates into noticeably shorter completion times.

Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a similar story: 390 versus 324, a 20.4% gap. This is the oldest test in the set, but the relative performance ratio holds. The Intel part's 8 threads consistently outpace the AMD part's 4 threads by roughly one-fifth.

Single-core tests are closer in absolute terms but show the same proportional gap. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Xeon scores 229 against 190, a difference of 39 points, or 20.5%. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Xeon posts 547 versus 454, a 93-point gap, again 20.5%. The AMD part's higher clocks, up to 4.20 GHz, do not overcome the Intel architecture's efficiency on these workloads.

The only benchmark where the AMD PRO A12-8870 comes within a smaller margin is Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the delta is 20.4% instead of 20.5%. That difference is negligible in practical terms. Across the board, the Intel Xeon D-1518 delivers a consistent performance advantage of roughly one-fifth.

The Verdict

The data is clear: the Intel Xeon D-1518 outperforms the AMD PRO A12-8870 in every recorded benchmark. If your priority is raw computational speed, especially in multi-threaded tasks, the Intel part is the correct choice. Its 8 threads and 35-watt TDP deliver 20.5% higher scores in Cinebench R23 multi-core while using nearly half the power of the AMD part.

The AMD PRO A12-8870 is not without merit, but its advantages lie outside the benchmark suite. It includes a Radeon R7 integrated GPU, which the Intel part lacks entirely. For a simple desktop system with no discrete graphics card, the AMD chip is functional immediately. It also uses Socket AM4, a mainstream platform that allows for future CPU upgrades, unlike the Intel BGA 1667 which is soldered in place.

For a server or workstation application, the Xeon D-1518 is the only sensible pick from these two. It supports ECC memory, offers 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, and its 35-watt TDP makes it viable for compact, thermally constrained enclosures. The AMD part is a desktop processor with no ECC support and no L3 cache, which limits its suitability for data-integrity-sensitive workloads.

For a budget desktop build where integrated graphics matter and the motherboard ecosystem is a priority, the AMD PRO A12-8870 serves a purpose. The database shows it sits at the 31st percentile of all CPUs, just one point below the Xeon's 32nd percentile. The average benchmark scores are close: 1107 versus 1121. But in every head-to-head test, the Intel part wins by a consistent margin. The verdict is straightforward: choose the Xeon D-1518 for performance and server features, choose the AMD PRO A12-8870 only if you specifically need integrated graphics and a desktop socket.