AMD PRO A12-8870E vs Intel Core i5-2500T Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data from the database paints a clear picture: the AMD PRO A12-8870E wins every single recorded comparison against the Intel Core i5-2500T. Across five Cinebench tests, the AMD part takes all five, though the margins are consistently narrow, ranging from 2.6% to 2.8% in favor of the AMD chip.

Starting with the multi-core workloads, the AMD PRO A12-8870E posts a Cinebench R15 multicore score of 257, while the Intel Core i5-2500T records 250. That is a 2.7% advantage for AMD. Moving to Cinebench R20 multicore, the AMD part scores 1074 against Intel's 1045, again a 2.7% lead. The gap remains uniform in Cinebench R23 multicore, where AMD scores 2558 compared to Intel's 2489, another 2.7% difference.

Single-core results follow the same pattern. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the AMD PRO A12-8870E scores 151, edging out the Intel Core i5-2500T's 147 by 2.6%. The Cinebench R23 single-core test shows AMD at 361 versus Intel at 351, a 2.8% margin. These are not dramatic victories, but they are consistent across every workload in the head-to-head dataset.

The average benchmark scores in the database reinforce this trend. The AMD PRO A12-8870E carries an average benchmark score of 880, while the Intel Core i5-2500T sits at 856. That puts the AMD part roughly 2.8% ahead on average. The percentile ranking for both processors is identical at 23, meaning both sit in the same tier of overall CPU performance relative to all processors in the database.

Looking at the nearest rivals for each chip provides additional context. The Intel Core i5-2500T's closest competitor is the Intel Core i5-5250U, which matches its average score of 856 with a delta of 0.1%. The Intel Core i7-4500U sits just 0.4% higher at 859, and the AMD A8-7650K comes in at 860, 0.5% above. On the AMD side, the PRO A12-8870E's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 3 2300U with an identical average score of 880 and a delta of 0%. The Intel Core i3-1000NG4 scores 881, just 0.1% higher, while the AMD Phenom II X6 1035T and AMD Athlon Silver 7120U both hit 881, each 0.1% and 0.2% above respectively.

The data shows that while the AMD part wins every head-to-head test, the margins are small enough that real-world differences would likely be imperceptible. A 2.7% lead in multi-core rendering and a 2.6% to 2.8% edge in single-core performance are statistically measurable but not transformative.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design eras and philosophies. The Intel Core i5-2500T is built on the Sandy Bridge architecture, using Intel's 32 nm process node with a die size of 216 mm² and 1,160 million transistors. The AMD PRO A12-8870E uses the Excavator architecture, specifically the Carrizo generation, built on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries with a much larger die at 250 mm² and 3,100 million transistors.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The Intel chip uses a per-core layout with 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, plus a shared 6 MB L3 cache. The AMD processor takes a different approach, offering 320 KB of total L1 cache and 2 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache listed at all. This means the Intel part has a larger aggregate cache pool thanks to its 6 MB L3, while the AMD part relies more heavily on its smaller L2 capacity.

Memory support marks a generational split. The Intel Core i5-2500T supports DDR3 memory over a dual-channel bus, while the AMD PRO A12-8870E supports DDR4 memory, also dual-channel, with a listed memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Intel chip's memory bandwidth is not recorded in the database, but the DDR3 versus DDR4 distinction is significant for platform compatibility and potential throughput.

PCIe capabilities also differ. The Intel part lists PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes available from the CPU only. The AMD part also supports PCIe Gen 3, though the database does not specify lane counts for the AMD chip.

Integrated graphics represent another point of divergence. The Intel Core i5-2500T ships with Intel HD 2000 graphics, while the AMD PRO A12-8870E includes Radeon R7 graphics. The database does not provide benchmark scores for either integrated GPU, so direct graphical comparison is not possible from this data.

Socket compatibility is entirely different. The Intel chip uses Intel Socket 1155, while the AMD part uses AMD Socket AM4. These are not interchangeable platforms, meaning any system build must commit to one or the other from the start.

Production status also differs. The Intel Core i5-2500T is marked as end-of-life, while the AMD PRO A12-8870E is listed as active production. The Intel part's release date is recorded as January 8, 2011, though it is unclear if that reflects the 17:00:00.000Z timestamp as a launch date. The AMD part has no release date recorded in the database.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the recorded benchmark data, the AMD PRO A12-8870E is the faster processor. It wins all five head-to-head Cinebench tests, posts a higher average benchmark score of 880 versus 856, and maintains a consistent 2.6% to 2.8% advantage across both single-core and multi-core workloads. For users who need the last few percentage points of CPU throughput, the AMD part is the clear choice from these measurements.

However, the margins are small. A 2.7% average lead means that in many real-world applications, the difference would be negligible. Both processors sit at the 23rd percentile among all CPUs in the database, placing them in the same performance tier. The Intel Core i5-2500T's nearest rivals include chips with nearly identical scores, such as the Intel Core i5-5250U at 856 and the Intel Core i7-4500U at 859, which suggests the Intel part is competitive within its class.

The Intel chip does offer a larger L3 cache at 6 MB shared, which can benefit certain workloads that rely on repeated data access. The AMD part counters with DDR4 memory support and a higher clock speed range, with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and boost clock of 3.70 GHz compared to Intel's 2.30 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost.

For a new purchase, the AMD PRO A12-8870E makes more sense given its active production status and modern AM4 socket. The Intel Core i5-2500T is end-of-life, which limits its availability for new builds. The AMD part also carries a lower TDP at 35 watts versus Intel's 45 watts, which can matter for thermally constrained systems.

Users already on an Intel Socket 1155 platform with DDR3 memory might find the i5-2500T sufficient, especially given the small performance delta. But the data shows the AMD part is marginally faster everywhere, and its platform advantages in memory type and production status reinforce that choice.

Specification Differences

The database records several specification differences between the two processors:

• Base clock: Intel Core i5-2500T at 2.30 GHz, AMD PRO A12-8870E at 2.90 GHz
• Boost clock: Intel at 3.30 GHz, AMD at 3.70 GHz
• TDP: Intel at 45 watts, AMD at 35 watts
• Socket: Intel Socket 1155 versus AMD Socket AM4
• Process node: Intel at 32 nm, AMD at 28 nm
• Foundry: Intel for the i5-2500T, GlobalFoundries for the AMD part
• Transistors: Intel at 1,160 million, AMD at 3,100 million
• Die size: Intel at 216 mm², AMD at 250 mm²
• L1 cache: Intel at 64 KB per core, AMD at 320 KB total
• L2 cache: Intel at 256 KB per core, AMD at 2 MB total
• L3 cache: Intel at 6 MB shared, AMD has none listed
• Memory support: DDR3 for Intel, DDR4 for AMD
• Memory bandwidth: Not listed for Intel, 38.4 GB/s for AMD
• PCIe: Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only) for Intel, Gen 3 for AMD
• Integrated graphics: Intel HD 2000 versus Radeon R7
• Production status: End-of-life for Intel, active for AMD
• Release date: January 8, 2011 for Intel, not recorded for AMD
• Part number: SR00A for Intel, AD887BAHM44AB for AMD

Both chips have 4 cores and 4 threads, use dual-channel memory buses, do not support ECC memory, and have locked multipliers.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmarks in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The AMD PRO A12-8870E wins all five recorded Cinebench tests, taking the Cinebench R15 multicore, R20 multicore, R20 single-core, R23 multicore, and R23 single-core comparisons.

Q: How large is the performance gap between the two chips?

A: The AMD PRO A12-8870E leads by 2.7% in Cinebench R15 multicore, 2.7% in R20 multicore, 2.6% in R20 single-core, 2.7% in R23 multicore, and 2.8% in R23 single-core. The average benchmark score difference is 880 versus 856, roughly 2.8% in favor of AMD.

Q: What are the clock speed differences?

A: The Intel Core i5-2500T has a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz. The AMD PRO A12-8870E has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-2500T and the AMD PRO A12-8870E have 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: Only the AMD PRO A12-8870E supports DDR4 memory, with a dual-channel bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Intel Core i5-2500T supports DDR3 memory.

Q: What is the production status of each chip?

A: The Intel Core i5-2500T is marked as end-of-life, while the AMD PRO A12-8870E is listed as active production. The Intel part has a release date of January 8, 2011, while no release date is recorded for the AMD part.