AMD PRO A12-8870E vs AMD Ryzen 3 2300U Comparison

The AMD PRO A12-8870E and the AMD Ryzen 3 2300U are two processors that appear to be direct competitors, separated by a generation of architecture and a different market focus. The benchmark data shows a clear performance split, with the Ryzen 3 2300U dominating in multi-core workloads, while the PRO A12-8870E counters with a single-core advantage in at least one test. This analysis will break down the data to determine which processor is better suited for specific tasks.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: Both processors have an identical average benchmark score of 880, placing them both in the 23rd percentile of all CPUs. This indicates that despite their architectural differences, their overall performance profiles are remarkably similar.

Q: What is the performance difference in the Cinebench R15 multi-core test?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 2300U scores 422.5, while the AMD PRO A12-8870E scores 257. This means the Ryzen 3 2300U is 39.2% faster in this specific test, according to the deltaPct value.

Q: Does the AMD PRO A12-8870E win any benchmark tests?

A: Based on the provided head-to-head benchmark data, the AMD PRO A12-8870E has zero wins. The only test available shows the Ryzen 3 2300U as the winner.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The AMD PRO A12-8870E has a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, which is higher than the Ryzen 3 2300U's boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The PRO A12-8870E also has a higher base clock of 2.90 GHz compared to the Ryzen 3 2300U's 2000.00 MHz.

Q: What are the process node differences between the two processors?

A: The AMD PRO A12-8870E is built on a 28 nm process node, while the AMD Ryzen 3 2300U is built on a more advanced 14 nm process node. This is a key architectural difference that affects power efficiency and transistor density.

Q: How do the integrated graphics units compare?

A: The AMD PRO A12-8870E features a Radeon R7 integrated graphics unit, while the AMD Ryzen 3 2300U features a Radeon Vega 6. The data does not include benchmark scores for these integrated GPUs, so a direct performance comparison is not possible.

The Verdict

The data clearly indicates that the AMD Ryzen 3 2300U is the superior processor for multi-threaded workloads. Its 39.2% advantage in the Cinebench R15 multi-core test is substantial and points to a better overall performance capacity for modern applications that utilize multiple cores. The Ryzen 3 2300U achieves this with a significantly lower TDP of 15 watts compared to the PRO A12-8870E's 35 watts, indicating a much higher level of power efficiency.

However, the verdict is not a complete sweep. The AMD PRO A12-8870E has a higher base and boost clock, which could translate to better performance in lightly-threaded tasks that rely on a single core's maximum speed. The Ryzen 3 2300U's single-core score in Cinebench R15 is 79, but there is no corresponding single-core score for the PRO A12-8870E in the head-to-head data to confirm this. Given the equal average scores and identical 23rd percentile ranking, the Ryzen 3 2300U is the pick for users who need maximum multi-core performance, while the PRO A12-8870E might be considered for specific single-threaded scenarios, though the data is insufficient to fully endorse this.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only direct head-to-head benchmark provided is the Cinebench R15 multi-core test. In this test, the AMD Ryzen 3 2300U scores 422.5, a significant leap over the AMD PRO A12-8870E's 257. This results in a deltaPct of -39.2% for the PRO A12-8870E, meaning it is nearly 40% slower in this workload. This is the largest performance gap between the two, and it highlights the fundamental difference in their multi-core processing capabilities.

Looking at individual benchmark results from their respective benchmark lists, the Ryzen 3 2300U also shows strength in other multi-core tests. It scores 2234 in Geekbench multi-core, while the PRO A12-8870E scores 1074 in Cinebench R20 multi-core and 2558 in Cinebench R23 multi-core. These are different tests, so a direct comparison is not valid, but the Ryzen 3 2300U's performance suggests a robust multi-threaded architecture. The PRO A12-8870E, on the other hand, has single-core scores of 151 in Cinebench R20 and 361 in Cinebench R23, but without a matching Ryzen 3 2300U single-core score in those same tests, a direct comparison cannot be made. The data shows the Ryzen 3 2300U is the clear winner in the only test where they are directly compared.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ significantly in their physical and power specifications. The AMD PRO A12-8870E has a TDP of 35 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 3 2300U has a much lower TDP of 15 watts. This makes the Ryzen 3 2300U a more power-efficient part, which is crucial for mobile applications.

The socket types are also completely different. The PRO A12-8870E uses AMD Socket AM4, which is a desktop platform, while the Ryzen 3 2300U uses AMD Socket FP5, which is a mobile platform. This aligns with their respective market segments: Desktop for the PRO A12-8870E and Mobile for the Ryzen 3 2300U.

Clock speeds differ, with the PRO A12-8870E having a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The Ryzen 3 2300U has a base clock of 2000.00 MHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The PRO A12-8870E has a higher clock speed in both cases.

Finally, the Ryzen 3 2300U has a release date of 2018-01-07T17:00:00.000Z, while the PRO A12-8870E has no release date listed. The Ryzen 3 2300U also belongs to the "2000 series" and has a part number of YM2300C4T4MFB, while the PRO A12-8870E has a part number of AD887BAHM44AB. Neither processor has a launch MSRP listed.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two CPUs is stark. The AMD PRO A12-8870E is based on the Excavator architecture, codenamed Carrizo, while the AMD Ryzen 3 2300U is based on the Zen architecture, codenamed Raven Ridge. This represents a generational leap in design.

The process node is a major differentiator. The PRO A12-8870E is fabricated on a 28 nm process by GlobalFoundries, with 3,100 million transistors on a 250 mm² die. The Ryzen 3 2300U is fabricated on a 14 nm process, also by GlobalFoundries, but packs 4,950 million transistors onto a smaller 210 mm² die. This higher transistor count on a smaller die for the Ryzen 3 2300U indicates a more dense and efficient design.

Cache structures are also fundamentally different. The PRO A12-8870E has a 320 KB L1 cache and a 2 MB L2 cache, with no L3 cache. The Ryzen 3 2300U, in contrast, has a 96 KB (per core) L1 cache, a 512 KB (per core) L2 cache, and a 4 MB (shared) L3 cache. The presence of an L3 cache in the Ryzen 3 2300U is a significant advantage for reducing memory latency.

Both processors support DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, and neither supports ECC memory. They also both utilize PCIe Gen 3, though the Ryzen 3 2300U specifies 8 Lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics differ, with the PRO A12-8870E featuring Radeon R7 and the Ryzen 3 2300U featuring Radeon Vega 6.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 2300U is the clear winner in multi-core performance, as evidenced by its 39.2% lead in the Cinebench R15 multi-core test. This makes it the better choice for tasks like video encoding, 3D rendering, and compiling code, where all cores are utilized. Its lower TDP of 15 watts also makes it ideal for thin-and-light laptops where battery life and heat dissipation are critical. The Ryzen 3 2300U's larger cache hierarchy and more modern Zen architecture suggest it will handle a wider range of modern workloads more efficiently.

The AMD PRO A12-8870E, despite its loss in the direct comparison, has strengths that should not be overlooked. Its higher base and boost clocks (2.90 GHz and 3.70 GHz, respectively) could give it an edge in lightly-threaded applications that depend on a single core's maximum speed, such as older games or certain productivity software. While there is no direct single-core benchmark comparison in the data, its higher clock speeds provide a theoretical advantage. As a desktop processor on the AM4 socket, it may also be more suitable for users who prefer a traditional desktop form factor and have a motherboard that supports it. The data shows it wins zero head-to-head tests, but its higher clock speed is a differentiating factor that could be relevant for specific, single-threaded use cases.