AMD PRO A12-8870E vs AMD Ryzen 3 3200U Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits these two AMD processors into clearly different roles. The AMD Ryzen 3 3200U takes the single-threaded crown decisively, while the AMD PRO A12-8870E answers back in one multi-core workload. Examining the recorded test results, the Ryzen 3 3200U wins two of the three head-to-head comparisons, but the single loss is substantial enough to define the PRO A12's purpose.

The Ryzen 3 3200U dominates in single-core performance. In the Cinebench R23 single-core test, it scores 765 against the PRO A12-8870E's 361, a massive 111.9% advantage. This is the kind of margin that shows up in everyday responsiveness, lightly threaded applications, and tasks that depend on fast per-core execution. The Ryzen 3 3200U also wins the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, scoring 334 versus 257, a 30% lead despite having fewer physical cores. That result suggests the Ryzen architecture extracts more work per clock and per thread than the older Excavator design.

The AMD PRO A12-8870E takes the newer Cinebench R23 multi-core test. It scores 2558 against the Ryzen 3 3200U's 1786, a 30.2% advantage. This is a substantial victory in a workload that scales with core count and sustained throughput. With four physical cores against the Ryzen's two, the PRO A12-8870E leverages its extra execution resources in this specific rendering scenario. The overall benchmark averages reflect this split: the Ryzen 3 3200U posts an average benchmark score of 893, while the PRO A12-8870E sits at 880, a margin of roughly 1.5% that places them in the same performance tier despite their divergent strengths.

The percentile rankings reinforce this near-parity. The Ryzen 3 3200U lands at the 24th percentile among all CPUs, while the PRO A12-8870E sits just one point lower at the 23rd percentile. For users prioritizing single-thread speed, the Ryzen 3 3200U is the clear pick. For workloads that hammer all cores equally, especially in newer multi-threaded render tests, the PRO A12-8870E has the edge.

Architecture Differences

These two processors come from different eras of AMD design. The Ryzen 3 3200U is built on the Zen architecture, codenamed Raven Ridge, using a 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries. The PRO A12-8870E uses the older Excavator architecture, codenamed Carrizo, fabricated on a 28 nm process, also from GlobalFoundries. This node difference is significant: 14 nm versus 28 nm means the Ryzen part packs transistors more densely and should operate more efficiently per unit of work.

The transistor counts reflect this generational shift. The Ryzen 3 3200U contains 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. The PRO A12-8870E has 3,100 million transistors spread across a larger 250 mm² die. The Ryzen die is smaller yet holds nearly 60% more transistors, a direct result of the denser manufacturing process.

Core and thread configurations differ as well. The Ryzen 3 3200U offers 2 cores and 4 threads, using simultaneous multithreading to process two threads per core. The PRO A12-8870E provides 4 cores and 4 threads, with no multithreading per core. This means the PRO A12 has twice the physical core count but the same total thread count as the Ryzen. In workloads that scale purely with physical cores, the PRO A12 has an advantage; in workloads that benefit from thread-level parallelism within a core, the Ryzen can match it.

Cache hierarchies are entirely different. The Ryzen 3 3200U has a per-core L1 cache of 96 KB and per-core L2 cache of 512 KB, plus a shared 4 MB L3 cache. The PRO A12-8870E has a total L1 cache of 320 KB and a total L2 cache of 2 MB, with no L3 cache present in the recorded data. The Ryzen's shared L3 cache provides a substantial pool for frequently accessed data, while the PRO A12 relies on its larger per-core L1 and L2 allocations.

Clock speeds favor the PRO A12-8870E on paper. Its base clock runs at 2.90 GHz with a boost up to 3.70 GHz. The Ryzen 3 3200U starts at 2.60 GHz and boosts to 3.50 GHz. Despite the lower clocks, the Ryzen wins single-core tests by a wide margin, indicating that Zen's instruction efficiency outpaces Excavator's raw clock advantage.

Power and platform targets differ sharply. The Ryzen 3 3200U has a 15 W TDP and uses the AMD Socket FP5, marking it as a mobile processor. The PRO A12-8870E has a 35 W TDP and uses the AMD Socket AM4, a desktop platform. The Ryzen's lower power envelope makes it suitable for thin laptops, while the PRO A12's higher power budget suits desktop cooling. Both support DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, and neither supports ECC memory. Both use PCIe Gen 3. The Ryzen 3 3200U integrates Radeon Vega 3 graphics, while the PRO A12-8870E integrates Radeon R7 graphics. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The three head-to-head comparisons in the database reveal a clear pattern: the Ryzen 3 3200U wins on single-core and older multi-core tests, while the PRO A12-8870E wins the modern multi-core render test.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 3 3200U scores 334 against the PRO A12-8870E's 257. This is a 30% advantage for the Ryzen. Despite having half the physical cores, the Ryzen's Zen architecture and higher per-thread efficiency carry it to a decisive win. This test rewards both core count and instruction efficiency, and the Ryzen's modern design proves superior.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the results reverse. The PRO A12-8870E scores 2558, while the Ryzen 3 3200U manages 1786. The PRO A12 wins by 30.2%. This is the largest margin in the PRO A12's favor, and it likely reflects the heavier multi-threaded workload of the R23 renderer, which gives the four physical cores of the PRO A12 more opportunity to flex their parallel execution capabilities.

The single-core comparison is the most lopsided. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ryzen 3 3200U scores 765, more than double the PRO A12-8870E's 361. The delta is 111.9%. This is not a marginal win; it is a generational gap. The Ryzen's Zen core simply executes single-threaded instructions far more efficiently than the Excavator core, despite the PRO A12's higher boost clock of 3.70 GHz versus 3.50 GHz.

Looking at the broader benchmark averages, the two parts are nearly tied. The Ryzen 3 3200U averages 893 across all recorded tests, while the PRO A12-8870E averages 880. The Ryzen's nearest rival in the database is the Intel Core i5-5300U with an average score of 895, a delta of -0.2%. The PRO A12-8870E's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 3 2300U with an identical average of 880, a delta of 0%. These figures place both processors in the same competitive bracket, with the Ryzen 3 3200U holding a slight overall edge.

Specification Differences

The table below lists only the fields where the two processors differ, based on the recorded data.

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 3 3200U | AMD PRO A12-8870E |

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

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.60 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 35 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP5 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Architecture | Zen | Excavator |

| Codename | Raven Ridge | Carrizo |

| Generation | Ryzen 3 (Zen (Raven Ridge)) | A12 (Carrizo) |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 28 nm |

| Transistors | 4,940 million | 3,100 million |

| Die Size | 210 mm² | 250 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 96 KB (per core) | 320 KB (total) |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 2 MB (total) |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | None |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Vega 3 | Radeon R7 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2019-01-05 | Not recorded |

| Part Number | YM3200C4T2OFG | AD887BAHM44AB |

Both processors share the same manufacturer (AMD), memory support (DDR4), memory bus (Dual-channel), memory bandwidth (38.4 GB/s), ECC support (false), PCIe version (Gen 3), production status (Active), and multiplier lock (false). Neither has a recorded launch MSRP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3200U wins decisively. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 765 against the AMD PRO A12-8870E's 361, a 111.9% advantage.

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The AMD PRO A12-8870E has 4 physical cores, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3200U has 2. Both support 4 threads total.

Q: How do their multi-core benchmark scores compare?

A: It depends on the test. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 3 3200U wins 334 to 257 (30% ahead). In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the PRO A12-8870E wins 2558 to 1786 (30.2% ahead).

Q: What are the TDP differences between these two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3200U has a 15 W TDP, while the AMD PRO A12-8870E has a 35 W TDP. The Ryzen is designed for mobile platforms, the PRO A12 for desktop.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory?

A: Yes. Both support DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. Neither supports ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has a larger cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3200U has a 4 MB shared L3 cache plus per-core L1 (96 KB) and L2 (512 KB) caches. The AMD PRO A12-8870E has a total of 320 KB L1 and 2 MB L2, with no L3 cache.