AMD PRO A12-8870E vs Intel Core i5-5250U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear picture: the AMD PRO A12-8870E wins every recorded head-to-head comparison against the Intel Core i5-5250U. Across five Cinebench tests, the AMD part holds a consistent advantage of roughly 18.5% to 18.8%. This uniformity is striking; the margin barely shifts regardless of workload type.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD PRO A12-8870E scores 257 against the Intel Core i5-5250U's 209, a delta of 18.7%. Moving to Cinebench R20 multi-core, the gap remains identical in percentage terms: 1074 versus 873, again 18.7%. The single-core results tell the same story. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 151 for the AMD part versus 123 for Intel, an 18.5% lead. Cinebench R23 follows with 361 versus 293 in single-core, an 18.8% edge, and 2558 versus 2079 in multi-core, an 18.7% margin.

The consistency of these deltas suggests the performance gap is structural rather than workload-dependent. The AMD PRO A12-8870E does not merely win in one type of test; it wins across every rendering benchmark recorded in the database. The Intel Core i5-5250U records zero wins in the head-to-head set.

Average benchmark scores reinforce the hierarchy. The AMD PRO A12-8870E posts an average score of 880, while the Intel Core i5-5250U averages 856. That 24-point gap places the AMD part 2.8% higher on average. Both processors sit at the 23rd percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning the overall performance tier is similar, even though the AMD part consistently finishes ahead in direct comparisons.

The nearest rival data adds context. The Intel Core i5-5250U's average score of 856 exactly matches the Intel Core i5-2500T (0% delta), sits 0.4% below the Intel Core i7-4500U's 859, and 0.5% below the AMD A8-7650K's 860. The AMD PRO A12-8870E's average of 880 ties the AMD Ryzen 3 2300U (0% delta), sits 0.1% below the Intel Core i3-1000NG4's 881, and 0.1% below the AMD Phenom II X6 1035T's 881. In other words, each processor competes with a different performance class of rivals, and the AMD part's peer group sits slightly higher.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD PRO A12-8870E wins in every scenario where rendering performance matters. Its 18.7% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core translates to faster completion of short render tasks. The same margin in R20 and R23 multi-core indicates that longer, more demanding render workloads also favor the AMD chip. Users whose primary concern is multi-threaded throughput will find no reason to prefer the Intel part based on the recorded data.

Single-core performance also favors the AMD PRO A12-8870E. Its 18.5% lead in Cinebench R20 single-core and 18.8% lead in R23 single-core suggest that applications dependent on single-thread speed, such as many legacy productivity tools and lightly threaded games, will run noticeably faster on the AMD processor. The Intel Core i5-5250U cannot claim a single benchmark victory in this comparison.

The Intel Core i5-5250U does hold advantages outside raw compute. Its thermal design power is 15 watts compared to 35 watts for the AMD part, making it the more power-efficient option in absolute terms. It is a mobile processor on an Intel BGA 1168 socket, so it fits in ultraportable designs where the AMD desktop part cannot go. The Intel part also integrates Intel HD 6000 graphics, while the AMD part uses Radeon R7 graphics, though the database records no graphics benchmarks to compare them directly.

For desktop builders with an AMD Socket AM4 motherboard, the PRO A12-8870E is the straightforward pick on performance. For thin-and-light laptops, the i5-5250U is the only one of the two that applies, given its mobile socket and lower power envelope. The data does not show any compute workload where the Intel chip wins.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD PRO A12-8870E scores 2558, while the Intel Core i5-5250U scores 2079. The AMD part leads by 18.7%.

Q: How large is the single-core performance gap?

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD PRO A12-8870E scores 361 versus 293 for the Intel Core i5-5250U, an 18.8% advantage. Cinebench R20 single-core shows a similar 18.5% gap (151 versus 123).

Q: Do the two processors share the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both are at the 23rd percentile among all CPUs in the database. Despite the AMD part's consistent head-to-head wins, their overall standing relative to the full CPU pool is the same.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: The AMD PRO A12-8870E supports DDR4 with dual-channel memory and a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Intel Core i5-5250U supports DDR3 with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each chip?

A: The Intel Core i5-5250U has 2 cores and 4 threads. The AMD PRO A12-8870E has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Is the AMD PRO A12-8870E still in production?

A: Yes, its production status is listed as active. The Intel Core i5-5250U is end-of-life.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-5250U | AMD PRO A12-8870E |

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

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base clock | 1600.00 MHz | 2.90 GHz |

| Boost clock | 2.70 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 35 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1168 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Process node | 14 nm | 28 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 1,900 million | 3,100 million |

| Die size | 133 mm² | 250 mm² |

| L1 cache | 64 KB (per core) | 320 KB |

| L2 cache | 256 KB (per core) | 2 MB |

| L3 cache | 3 MB (shared) | None |

| Memory support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Memory bandwidth | 29.9 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 2, 12 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Integrated graphics | Intel HD 6000 | Radeon R7 |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Production status | End-of-life | Active |

| Launch MSRP | $315 | None |

The Intel part uses a smaller 14 nm process and a smaller die, 133 mm² versus 250 mm², but the AMD chip packs more transistors at 3,100 million versus 1,900 million. The AMD processor has two additional physical cores, though both parts present four threads to the operating system. The AMD chip clocks significantly higher, with a 2.90 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost against Intel's 1.60 GHz base and 2.70 GHz boost. The Intel part is the only one with L3 cache, offering 3 MB shared, while the AMD design relies on a larger L2 pool of 2 MB. The AMD chip uses a newer memory standard, DDR4, with higher bandwidth, and supports PCIe Gen 3 versus Intel's Gen 2.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i5-5250U is built on the Broadwell architecture, specifically the Broadwell-U codename, and belongs to the Core i5 (Broadwell-U) generation. It uses a 14 nm process manufactured by Intel and features a dual-core design with Hyper-Threading, producing 2 cores and 4 threads. Its cache hierarchy is split per core for L1 and L2, with a shared 3 MB L3 pool. The processor is a mobile part designed for the Intel BGA 1168 socket with a 15 watt TDP, making it suitable for power-constrained notebooks.

The AMD PRO A12-8870E uses the Excavator architecture under the Carrizo codename, belonging to the A12 (Carrizo) generation. It is manufactured on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries and integrates 4 physical cores without SMT, resulting in 4 threads total. The cache layout differs fundamentally: 320 KB of L1 and 2 MB of L2, with no L3 cache at all. This is a desktop processor on the AMD Socket AM4 platform with a 35 watt TDP, and its production status remains active. The Intel part, by contrast, is end-of-life and was released on 2015-02-28.

Both chips integrate graphics, but they come from different vendors and generations. The Intel part pairs with Intel HD 6000, while the AMD part uses Radeon R7. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking headroom is limited on both. The AMD chip supports PCIe Gen 3, while the Intel chip is limited to Gen 2 with 12 lanes from the CPU. Memory support also diverges: Intel uses DDR3, AMD uses DDR4, and the AMD part's 38.4 GB/s memory bandwidth exceeds Intel's 29.9 GB/s. Neither processor supports ECC memory. The AMD part carries part number AD887BAHM44AB, while the Intel part is marked SR26C.