AMD PRO A12-8870E vs Intel Core i5-3470T Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data places these two processors in a remarkably tight contest. The AMD PRO A12-8870E wins all five recorded head-to-head comparisons, but the margins are extremely narrow, ranging from a 0.4% advantage in Cinebench R15 multicore to a 0.7% edge in Cinebench R20 single-core. Neither chip can claim a decisive performance victory based on these numbers.

The AMD PRO A12-8870E is the better choice for users who want the slight edge across every measured workload, particularly in single-threaded tasks where it leads by 0.7% in Cinebench R20 single-core and 0.6% in Cinebench R23 single-core. It also offers a more modern memory interface with DDR4 support and a larger physical die, which may matter for system builders planning a new AM4-based platform.

The Intel Core i5-3470T, despite having only two physical cores compared to the AMD's four, essentially matches the AMD part in multicore performance. The data shows the Intel trailing by just 0.4% in Cinebench R15 multicore, 0.5% in Cinebench R20 multicore, and 0.4% in Cinebench R23 multicore. It also carries an additional Geekbench result in the database, scoring 1102 multicore and 560 single-core, which the AMD part does not have recorded. This gives the Intel chip a broader benchmark footprint for reference purposes.

Both processors sit at the 23rd percentile of all CPUs in the database, indicating they occupy the same performance tier. The average benchmark scores are 880 for the AMD and 863 for the Intel, a difference of roughly 2% that reflects the AMD's consistent, if small, lead across the shared test suite. Users upgrading from an older platform may find the Intel's 2012 release date and Socket 1155 compatibility relevant, while those building fresh systems may prefer the AMD's AM4 socket and DDR4 memory support.

Architecture Differences

The underlying architectures diverge sharply. The AMD PRO A12-8870E uses the Excavator architecture on the Carrizo codename, built on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It integrates 3,100 million transistors on a 250 mm² die. The Intel Core i5-3470T uses the Ivy Bridge architecture, built on a 22 nm process at Intel, with a much smaller 93.6 mm² die. The transistor count for the Intel part is not recorded in the database.

Core configuration differs significantly. The AMD packs four physical cores with four threads, while the Intel offers two physical cores with four threads thanks to Hyper-Threading. Despite the AMD's core count advantage, the benchmark results show the two chips trading nearly identical scores, suggesting the Intel's architecture extracts more performance per core. The AMD's base clock is 2.90 GHz with a boost clock of 3.70 GHz; the Intel runs at 2.90 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost, giving the AMD a 100 MHz advantage at maximum boost.

Cache hierarchies reflect different design philosophies. The AMD part has 320 KB of L1 cache and 2 MB of L2 cache with no L3 cache recorded. The Intel part has 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, plus a shared 3 MB L3 cache. The Intel's L3 cache likely compensates for having fewer physical cores in memory-heavy workloads, though the recorded benchmarks do not isolate this effect.

Memory support differs by generation. The AMD supports DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel supports DDR3 on a dual-channel bus, but its memory bandwidth figure is not recorded in the database. Both platforms use PCIe Gen 3, though the Intel specification notes 16 lanes for the CPU only. Neither chip supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Integrated graphics also differ. The AMD pairs with a Radeon R7 iGPU, while the Intel uses HD 2500 graphics. The database does not record graphics benchmark scores, so the comparison remains qualitative.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data covers five Cinebench tests, and the AMD PRO A12-8870E wins all of them. The largest margin appears in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the AMD scores 151 against the Intel's 150, a 0.7% advantage. This is the most significant single-threaded gap in the dataset, though it remains small in absolute terms.

Cinebench R23 single-core shows a similar pattern: the AMD scores 361, the Intel scores 359, a 0.6% lead for the AMD. The R20 multicore test gives the AMD a 1074 to 1069 win, a 0.5% margin. Cinebench R15 multicore and R23 multicore both show the AMD ahead by 0.4%, with scores of 257 versus 256 and 2558 versus 2547 respectively.

The Intel Core i5-3470T does have two additional Geekbench results in the database that the AMD lacks: a multicore score of 1102 and a single-core score of 560. These results cannot be compared directly to the AMD because no corresponding AMD Geekbench scores are recorded, but they provide context for the Intel's absolute performance level. The Intel's average benchmark score of 863 trails the AMD's 880 by about 2%, which is consistent with the narrow Cinebench margins.

The nearest rivals listed in the database reinforce the parity between these parts. The AMD's closest competitor is the AMD Ryzen 3 2300U with an identical average score of 880 and a 0% delta. The Intel's nearest rival is the Intel Xeon W3520 at 862, a 0.1% difference. Both chips sit in a crowded field of processors clustered around the 860 to 880 average score range, including the Intel Core i3-1000NG4, AMD Phenom II X6 1035T, and AMD Athlon Silver 7120U for the AMD side, and the AMD A8-7650K, Intel Xeon X3460, and Intel Core i7-4500U for the Intel side.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core workloads?

A: The AMD PRO A12-8870E leads in every recorded single-core test. It scores 151 versus 150 in Cinebench R20 single-core (0.7% ahead) and 361 versus 359 in Cinebench R23 single-core (0.6% ahead).

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-3470T's two-core design hurt its multicore performance?

A: Surprisingly little. The Intel trails by only 0.4% in Cinebench R15 multicore (256 versus 257) and 0.4% in Cinebench R23 multicore (2547 versus 2558). The Intel's four threads and 3 MB shared L3 cache appear to compensate for its two physical cores.

Q: What memory types do these processors support?

A: The AMD PRO A12-8870E supports DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core i5-3470T supports DDR3 memory on a dual-channel bus, though its bandwidth figure is not recorded in the database.

Q: Do either of these processors support ECC memory or overclocking?

A: Neither processor supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Q: How do their overall benchmark averages compare?

A: The AMD PRO A12-8870E has an average benchmark score of 880, while the Intel Core i5-3470T averages 863. Both sit at the 23rd percentile of all CPUs in the database.

Q: Are there benchmark results for the Intel that are not available for the AMD?

A: Yes, the database records Geekbench multicore and single-core scores for the Intel (1102 and 560 respectively). No corresponding Geekbench results are listed for the AMD PRO A12-8870E.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD PRO A12-8870E wins every recorded head-to-head benchmark, making it the default choice for users who want the top score in the Cinebench suite. Its largest advantages come in single-threaded tests, with a 0.7% lead in Cinebench R20 single-core and a 0.6% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core. Users running lightly threaded applications, such as older games or productivity tools that rely on single-core performance, may see a marginal benefit from the AMD part. The AMD also supports DDR4 memory, which may matter for those building a new system on the AM4 platform, and its 38.4 GB/s memory bandwidth gives it a quantifiable memory throughput advantage over the Intel's DDR3 setup.

The Intel Core i5-3470T wins in the sense of holding its own despite a two-core disadvantage. Its multicore scores trail the AMD by only 0.4% to 0.5%, which is within run-to-run variance for most benchmarks. The Intel also has the only Geekbench results in the comparison, so users who rely on that benchmark family for their evaluation will have direct data for the Intel but not the AMD. The Intel's smaller 93.6 mm² die, 22 nm process node, and 3 MB shared L3 cache suggest a more power-efficient design per unit of silicon area, which could appeal to users in environments where thermal management is a consideration. The Intel's 2012 release date and Socket 1155 compatibility may also factor into upgrade decisions for users with existing motherboards.

For new builds, the AMD's AM4 socket and DDR4 support make it the more forward-looking option. For users comparing upgrade paths from existing platforms, the Intel's Socket 1155 compatibility could be decisive despite its slightly lower benchmark scores.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. The AMD PRO A12-8870E uses 4 cores with 4 threads, while the Intel Core i5-3470T uses 2 cores with 4 threads. Both have a 2.90 GHz base clock, but the AMD boosts to 3.70 GHz versus the Intel's 3.60 GHz.

The manufacturing process differs: the AMD is built on a 28 nm node at GlobalFoundries, while the Intel uses a 22 nm node at Intel. The AMD die size is 250 mm² with 3,100 million transistors; the Intel die size is 93.6 mm² with no transistor count recorded.

Cache configurations diverge completely. The AMD has 320 KB L1 and 2 MB L2 with no L3. The Intel has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 3 MB shared L3.

Memory support differs by generation: the AMD uses DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel uses DDR3 with no bandwidth figure recorded. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The AMD socket is AM4; the Intel socket is Socket 1155.

The integrated graphics differ, with the AMD featuring Radeon R7 and the Intel featuring HD 2500. Both support PCIe Gen 3, with the Intel noting 16 lanes for the CPU only. Neither supports ECC memory, neither has an unlocked multiplier, and both are desktop parts with a 35 W TDP. The AMD is marked as Active in production status, while the Intel's production status is not recorded. The Intel has a release date of 2012-05-31, while the AMD's release date is not recorded.