AMD PRO A12-8870E vs Intel Core i3-1000NG4 Comparison

The Intel Core i3-1000NG4 and the AMD PRO A12-8870E occupy the same performance tier, with average benchmark scores of 881 and 880 respectively, placing both at the 23rd percentile of all CPUs. Yet the data reveals a clear split in how they achieve parity, with the Intel part dominating every measured workload while the AMD chip counters with a higher core count and a much larger physical footprint. The head-to-head results show a complete sweep for Intel, but the architectural gulf between a 10 nm Ice Lake-Y mobile chip and a 28 nm Excavator desktop part raises questions about which traits matter more in real-world use.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-1000NG4 wins every single benchmark in the comparison set, taking all five head-to-head tests. Its advantages range from 16.8% to 17.2% across the Cinebench suite, which means the Intel chip is consistently ahead by roughly one-sixth in both single-threaded and multi-threaded rendering workloads. The data shows Intel's lead is nearly uniform, suggesting a fundamental efficiency advantage rather than a workload-specific edge. For users running Cinebench R15, R20, or R23, the i3-1000NG4 is the faster processor in every instance.

The AMD PRO A12-8870E does not win a single benchmark in this comparison, but its value lies elsewhere. With four physical cores and a base clock of 2.90 GHz, it offers a different resource profile than the Intel's two cores with four threads. The AMD chip's higher boost clock of 3.70 GHz and its desktop-oriented AM4 socket suggest it is built for sustained operation in a different class of system. The benchmark data does not show any scenario where the AMD part outperforms Intel, but its larger L2 cache and additional cores could theoretically benefit workloads not represented in the Cinebench suite, though no such advantage appears in the measured results.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from opposite ends of the design spectrum. The Intel Core i3-1000NG4 uses the Ice Lake architecture on a 10 nm process node, fabricated by Intel, with a die size of 123 mm². It features two cores and four threads, with 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The chip is built for mobile platforms on the Intel BGA 1044 socket, carries a 9 W TDP, and integrates Iris Plus graphics with 48 execution units. Its generation is listed as Core i3 (Sunny Cove-Y), and it was released in March 2020, though it is now end-of-life.

The AMD PRO A12-8870E is a fundamentally different design. It uses the Excavator architecture on a 28 nm process node from GlobalFoundries, with a die size of 250 mm² and 3,100 million transistors. The chip packs four cores and four threads, with 320 KB of L1 cache and 2 MB of L2 cache, but no L3 cache at all. It runs on the AMD Socket AM4 for desktop systems, has a 35 W TDP, and integrates Radeon R7 graphics. The part is still marked as active in production. The transistor count on the AMD chip is more than three times higher than the Intel's unspecified count, but the Intel part achieves superior benchmark scores despite having half the cores and a much smaller die.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R15 multicore test shows the Intel i3-1000NG4 scoring 301 against the AMD PRO A12-8870E's 257, a 17.1% difference. This is the smallest absolute gap in points, but the percentage lead is consistent with the rest of the suite. The single-core R15 result is not available for the AMD chip, so the comparison relies on the newer Cinebench versions for single-threaded analysis.

In Cinebench R20, the Intel part scores 1255 in multicore versus 1074 for AMD, a 16.9% margin. The single-core R20 test shows Intel at 177 and AMD at 151, a 17.2% lead. These two results confirm that Intel's advantage holds in both parallel and single-threaded rendering, which is notable given the AMD chip's higher clock speeds. The AMD A12-8870E boosts to 3.70 GHz, while the Intel i3-1000NG4 boosts to 3.20 GHz, yet Intel still wins single-core by over 17%. The architectural efficiency of Ice Lake appears to more than compensate for the 500 MHz clock deficit.

The Cinebench R23 results mirror the R20 pattern. Intel scores 2989 in multicore versus 2558 for AMD, a 16.8% margin, and 422 in single-core versus 361, a 16.9% lead. The consistency of these deltas—all within a narrow band of 16.8% to 17.2%—suggests a fixed performance ratio between the two chips across all Cinebench workloads. The Intel processor is not simply faster in one specific test; it is faster by the same proportional amount in every scenario measured, which points to a systemic advantage in instruction throughput per clock or in memory subsystem efficiency.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in nearly every measurable specification. The Intel i3-1000NG4 has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the AMD PRO A12-8870E has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Intel chip runs at a 1.10 GHz base clock and 3.20 GHz boost, whereas the AMD part runs at 2.90 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost. The AMD chip has higher raw clock speeds, but the Intel chip wins all benchmarks. The TDP difference is substantial: Intel draws 9 W, AMD draws 35 W. The Intel part uses 10 nm process technology with a 123 mm² die, while AMD uses 28 nm with a 250 mm² die. The AMD chip lists 3,100 million transistors, while the Intel part does not provide a transistor count.

Cache configurations are also starkly different. Intel provides 80 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. AMD provides 320 KB total L1, 2 MB total L2, and no L3 cache. Memory support is DDR4 dual-channel for both, but AMD lists a specific memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s while Intel does not. Both use PCIe Gen 3, and neither supports ECC memory. The sockets are completely different: Intel BGA 1044 for mobile versus AMD Socket AM4 for desktop. The integrated graphics differ as well: Intel uses Iris Plus with 48 EU, AMD uses Radeon R7. The Intel part is marked end-of-life, while AMD is still active. Neither has a launch MSRP listed.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD PRO A12-8870E boosts to 3.70 GHz, while the Intel Core i3-1000NG4 boosts to 3.20 GHz.

Q: Why does the Intel chip win multi-core benchmarks despite having fewer cores?

A: The Intel i3-1000NG4 has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the AMD A12-8870E has 4 cores and 4 threads, yet Intel wins Cinebench R23 multicore by 16.8% with a score of 2989 versus 2558. The benchmark data indicates that Intel's per-core efficiency and higher throughput outweigh AMD's additional physical cores.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The Intel i3-1000NG4 has an average benchmark score of 881, and the AMD PRO A12-8870E has an average of 880, a difference of 1 point, meaning they are statistically tied on average.

Q: Which chip has the larger die size?

A: The AMD PRO A12-8870E has a die size of 250 mm², while the Intel Core i3-1000NG4 has a die size of 123 mm².

Q: Is there any workload where the AMD processor wins?

A: In the head-to-head benchmark data, the AMD PRO A12-8870E does not win any of the five Cinebench tests. The Intel i3-1000NG4 wins all of them, with deltas ranging from 16.8% to 17.2%.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory type?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration, but the AMD chip lists a specific memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s while the Intel part does not provide that figure.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i3-1000NG4 is the faster processor in every measured workload, with a consistent 17% lead across all Cinebench versions. The AMD PRO A12-8870E offers four physical cores, a higher boost clock, and a larger cache pool, but none of these translate into a single benchmark victory. The Intel chip achieves its wins while drawing only 9 W compared to AMD's 35 W, using a 10 nm process against AMD's 28 nm node, and fitting into a die that is less than half the size. The Intel part's nearest rivals include the AMD PRO A12-8870E with a delta of 0.1%, but the head-to-head results show a much larger gap in actual workloads.

For users who prioritize benchmark performance in rendering applications, the Intel Core i3-1000NG4 is the clear choice from the data. For users who need a desktop processor on the AM4 platform with four physical cores and an active production status, the AMD PRO A12-8870E remains a valid option, but the data shows it is slower in every Cinebench test. The Intel part is end-of-life, which may be a concern for long-term availability, while AMD's chip is still active. The 23rd percentile ranking for both chips indicates they sit in the lower tier of all CPUs, but within that tier, Intel holds a decisive edge. The choice ultimately comes down to platform preference and the need for physical cores versus raw performance, but the benchmark results give the win to Intel.