AMD PRO A12-8870E vs Intel Core i3-5157U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD PRO A12-8870E wins every single head-to-head test in the Cinebench suite, taking all five comparisons with a consistent margin. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD scores 257 against Intel’s 222, a 15.8% advantage. That gap widens slightly in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the AMD reaches 1074 versus 925, a 16.1% edge. The single-core results tell the same story: in Cinebench R20 single-core, the AMD posts 151 against 130, a 16.2% lead, and in Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 361 versus 311, another 16.1% margin. The multi-core Cinebench R23 result also lands at 16.1% in AMD’s favor, with 2558 against 2203.

These aren’t marginal wins. A consistent 15–16% advantage across every rendering workload indicates a structural performance gap rather than a test-specific quirk. The AMD’s four physical cores give it a natural edge in multi-threaded scenarios, but the fact that it also wins single-core tests by the same margin shows the Excavator architecture holds its own against Broadwell at these clock settings. The Intel part’s best showing is its Cinebench R15 multi-core score, where it trails by the smallest relative amount (15.8%), but even there it’s clearly behind. There is no benchmark in this set where the Intel Core i3-5157U takes the lead, and no test where the margin closes below 15%. For anyone comparing these two based on raw compute, the AMD is the straightforward pick.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core rendering?

A: The AMD PRO A12-8870E wins every multi-core test. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 257 versus 222 (15.8% ahead). In Cinebench R20 multi-core, it scores 1074 versus 925 (16.1% ahead). In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 2558 versus 2203 (16.1% ahead).

Q: Is the Intel part competitive in single-core workloads?

A: No. The AMD also wins all single-core tests. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 151 for AMD versus 130 for Intel (16.2% ahead). Cinebench R23 single-core shows 361 versus 311 (16.1% ahead). The Intel’s single-core performance does not close the gap.

Q: How do these chips compare to their nearest rivals overall?

A: Both sit at the 23rd percentile of all CPUs. The AMD has an average benchmark score of 880, while the Intel averages 877. The AMD’s nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 3 2300U at 880 (0% delta), with the Intel Core i3-1000NG4 and AMD Phenom II X6 1035T both at 881 (-0.1%). The Intel’s nearest rival is also the Ryzen 3 2300U at 880 (-0.3%), followed by the AMD PRO A12-8870E itself at 880 (-0.4%).

Q: What are the memory support differences?

A: The AMD PRO A12-8870E supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core i3-5157U supports DDR3 memory, also dual-channel, but with lower bandwidth at 29.9 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD PRO A12-8870E has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Intel Core i3-5157U has 2 cores and 4 threads. Both lack an unlocked multiplier.

Q: What is the production status of each chip?

A: The AMD PRO A12-8870E is listed as Active in production. The Intel Core i3-5157U is End-of-life. The Intel part has a release date of 2015-02-28 and a launch MSRP of $315.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD PRO A12-8870E wins everywhere in the provided benchmark suite. All five Cinebench tests — R15 multi-core, R20 multi-core, R20 single-core, R23 multi-core, and R23 single-core — go to the AMD. The margins are uniform, ranging from 15.8% to 16.2%. This means the AMD is the better choice for any workload represented by these tests, which includes both multi-threaded rendering and single-threaded tasks. The four physical cores at 2.90 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost clearly outperform the Intel’s two cores at 2.50 GHz with no boost clock listed.

There is no benchmark category where the Intel Core i3-5157U emerges as the winner. Its scores are consistently lower across the board. However, the Intel part does have one indirect advantage: it includes a Geekbench multi-core score of 1568 and a Geekbench single-core score of 778 in its benchmark list, while the AMD has no Geekbench results recorded. That absence of data doesn’t constitute a win, but it means the Intel has a broader published benchmark profile. For users who rely specifically on Geekbench as their reference metric, the Intel at least has numbers to consult; the AMD does not offer Geekbench scores in this dataset.

In terms of platform positioning, the AMD targets the desktop segment with an AM4 socket, while the Intel is a mobile part on BGA 1168. The AMD’s active production status suggests ongoing availability, whereas the Intel is end-of-life. For sustained use or new builds, the AMD’s active status is a practical advantage. The Intel’s 28W TDP is lower than the AMD’s 35W TDP, which could matter in power-constrained scenarios, but the performance data shows the AMD delivers higher scores despite the higher power envelope.

Specification Differences

The core counts differ significantly: the AMD has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel has 2 cores and 4 threads. Clock speeds also diverge — the AMD runs at 2.90 GHz base with a 3.70 GHz boost clock, whereas the Intel runs at 2.50 GHz base with no boost clock listed. TDP differs as well: the AMD is rated at 35W, the Intel at 28W. Sockets are incompatible: the AMD uses AMD Socket AM4, the Intel uses Intel BGA 1168. Memory support is split by generation: the AMD uses DDR4, the Intel uses DDR3, both dual-channel, but with different bandwidth figures (38.4 GB/s for AMD, 29.9 GB/s for Intel). PCIe versions differ: the AMD has Gen 3, the Intel has Gen 2 with 12 lanes (CPU only). Neither supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The cache layouts are structured differently. The AMD has 320 KB of L1 cache and 2 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache listed. The Intel has 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, plus 3 MB of shared L3 cache. The integrated graphics also differ: the AMD features Radeon R7, while the Intel features Intel Iris 6100. The market segments reflect their intended use: the AMD is a Desktop part, the Intel is a Mobile part. Production status is Active for AMD and End-of-life for Intel. The Intel has a release date (2015-02-28) and a launch MSRP of $315; the AMD has neither listed. Transistor counts are 3,100 million for AMD versus 1,900 million for Intel, with die sizes of 250 mm² versus 133 mm².

Architecture Differences

The AMD PRO A12-8870E is built on Excavator architecture with the codename Carrizo, manufactured on a 28 nm process by GlobalFoundries. The Intel Core i3-5157U uses Broadwell architecture with the codename Broadwell-U, manufactured on a 14 nm process by Intel. The process node difference is substantial — 28 nm versus 14 nm — which explains why the Intel die is smaller (133 mm² versus 250 mm²) despite having fewer transistors (1,900 million versus 3,100 million). The AMD’s larger transistor count and bigger die reflect its four physical cores against Intel’s two.

The core architecture is fundamentally different: the AMD uses four full cores with a shared L2 of 2 MB and no L3, while the Intel uses two cores with Hyper-Threading (4 threads), per-core L2 of 256 KB, and a shared 3 MB L3. The L3 cache on the Intel is a notable feature that the AMD lacks entirely. The AMD’s generation is listed as "A12 (Carrizo)", while the Intel is "Core i3 (Broadwell-U)". The foundries differ — GlobalFoundries for AMD and Intel for Intel. The integrated graphics also come from different lineages: Radeon R7 on the AMD versus Iris 6100 on the Intel. Memory controllers match the platform: the AMD pairs with DDR4, the Intel with DDR3, reflecting the era and target socket of each design.

The Verdict

The benchmark data makes the choice straightforward: the AMD PRO A12-8870E is the faster processor in every measured test. It wins all five Cinebench comparisons by margins between 15.8% and 16.2%, covering both multi-core and single-core workloads. The AMD also offers more cores (4 versus 2), a higher base clock (2.90 GHz versus 2.50 GHz), a boost clock where the Intel has none, newer memory support (DDR4 versus DDR3), and higher memory bandwidth (38.4 GB/s versus 29.9 GB/s). It is currently in active production, whereas the Intel is end-of-life. For anyone building on the AM4 platform or prioritizing raw compute performance, the AMD is the clear choice.

The Intel Core i3-5157U does have some redeeming qualities. Its 28W TDP is lower than the AMD’s 35W, which could be relevant for thermally constrained systems. It also includes a shared 3 MB L3 cache, which the AMD lacks, and its 14 nm process node is more modern than the 28 nm node on the AMD. The Intel part has Geekbench scores available (1568 multi-core, 778 single-core), which may be useful for comparison purposes if that’s your preferred benchmark. However, those Geekbench scores don’t change the head-to-head outcome — the AMD wins every directly comparable test.

In practical terms, the AMD PRO A12-8870E suits desktop users who need consistent multi-threaded and single-threaded performance in Cinebench-class workloads. Its active production status and AM4 socket make it a viable current platform choice. The Intel Core i3-5157U, being a mobile Broadwell part that is end-of-life, is harder to recommend for new builds. The data shows the AMD outperforms the Intel in all measured categories, and the only areas where the Intel leads are power draw, cache size, and process node — none of which translate into a benchmark win. If you’re choosing strictly on performance, the AMD PRO A12-8870E is the winner. If you need a lower-power mobile chip with a modern process node, the Intel has those attributes, but you’ll sacrifice roughly 16% performance across the board.