AMD PRO A12-8870E vs Intel Core i7-3540M Comparison

The AMD PRO A12-8870E and the Intel Core i7-3540M are closely matched in the database, with both landing at the 23rd percentile among all CPUs. The AMD part edges ahead in every recorded Cinebench test, but the margins are consistently slim, ranging from 1.2% to 1.4%. The Intel chip counters with a strong showing in Geekbench, where it holds a significant lead in both single-core and multi-core workloads. Neither processor is a clear winner across the board; the data points to a narrow overall edge for the AMD PRO A12-8870E in rendering tasks, while the Intel Core i7-3540M pulls ahead in general-purpose and memory-sensitive benchmarks.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head results show the AMD PRO A12-8870E winning all five shared Cinebench tests, but by margins that are almost negligible in real-world terms. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD scores 257 against Intel's 254, a difference of 1.2%. The same pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore, where AMD's 1074 beats Intel's 1060 by 1.3%. Single-core results follow the same trend: AMD leads 151 to 149 in Cinebench R20 single-core (1.3%) and 361 to 356 in Cinebench R23 single-core (1.4%). The largest recorded win for the AMD part is in Cinebench R23 multicore, where it scores 2558 versus 2525, again a 1.3% advantage.

These margins are remarkably tight. The AMD PRO A12-8870E's four physical cores do not translate into a decisive rendering advantage over Intel's two cores with four threads. The data suggests that the Intel part's hyper-threading effectively compensates for the core deficit in Cinebench workloads. The Intel Core i7-3540M, however, does not appear in the Cinebench R15 or R20/R23 single-core lists for the head-to-head comparison beyond the numbers listed, but its Geekbench results are where the real divergence appears. The Intel chip scores 1160 in Geekbench multi-core and 565 in single-core, while the AMD part has no recorded Geekbench scores in the comparison set. This means the Intel processor is the only one of the two with measured performance in that benchmark category, giving it a clear win there by default of available data.

When looking at the average benchmark score, the AMD PRO A12-8870E sits at 880, while the Intel Core i7-3540M averages 867. That is a 1.5% overall gap in favor of AMD, which aligns with the Cinebench deltas. The AMD part also ties its closest rival, the AMD Ryzen 3 2300U, at exactly 880, while the Intel chip is 0.1% ahead of the Intel Xeon X3460 at 866. These comparisons place both processors in similar performance tiers, but the AMD part has a slightly higher mean score across all recorded benchmarks.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies and manufacturing generations. 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 i7-3540M uses the Ivy Bridge architecture, built on a 22 nm process at Intel, with a die size of 118 mm². The transistor count for the Intel part is not recorded in the database, but the smaller die and newer node indicate a fundamentally different integration approach.

Core and cache configurations differ sharply. The AMD chip has four physical cores and four threads, with a total L1 cache of 320 KB and an L2 cache of 2 MB. It has no L3 cache recorded. The Intel part has two physical cores and four threads via hyper-threading, with 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. It also includes a 4 MB shared L3 cache, which is absent on the AMD side. This L3 cache is likely a key factor in the Intel chip's Geekbench lead, as it provides a larger pool of fast memory for frequently accessed data.

Memory support is another major divider. 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 i7-3540M supports DDR3 memory, also dual-channel, but its memory bandwidth is not listed in the database. The AMD part uses PCIe Gen 3, while the Intel chip has no PCIe generation recorded. Both processors have integrated graphics: the AMD side uses Radeon R7, and the Intel side uses Intel HD 4000. Neither supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The AMD part targets the desktop segment with an AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel part is a mobile chip on Intel Socket G2 (988B). The Intel release date is recorded as 2013-01-07, while the AMD release date is not listed.

The Verdict

Based strictly on recorded data, the AMD PRO A12-8870E is the better choice for Cinebench rendering workloads, winning all five head-to-head tests with margins between 1.2% and 1.4%. Its higher average benchmark score of 880 versus 867 reinforces this narrow overall advantage. For users prioritizing multi-threaded rendering in Cinebench, the AMD part is the safer pick, though the difference is small enough that real-world performance would likely be indistinguishable.

The Intel Core i7-3540M, however, holds the only recorded advantage in Geekbench, with a multi-core score of 1160 and a single-core score of 565. Since the AMD part has no Geekbench entries in the database, the Intel chip is the clear leader in that specific benchmark suite. For general-purpose computing tasks that rely on single-threaded speed or memory-heavy operations, the Intel processor's 4 MB L3 cache and higher single-core Geekbench score make it the more compelling option. The Intel part also comes from a 22 nm process, which suggests better power efficiency per unit of performance, though no wattage figures are recorded beyond the 35 W TDP shared by both chips.

Users who need a desktop processor with four physical cores and DDR4 support should lean toward the AMD PRO A12-8870E. Users who need a mobile processor with a proven Geekbench score and a shared L3 cache should pick the Intel Core i7-3540M. The data does not support calling either a definitive winner; it supports a split decision based on workload.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD PRO A12-8870E has an average benchmark score of 880, while the Intel Core i7-3540M has an average score of 867.

Q: How much faster is the AMD PRO A12-8870E in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD part scores 2558, which is 1.3% ahead of the Intel Core i7-3540M's 2525.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-3540M have any benchmark where it wins?

A: Yes, the Intel chip has recorded Geekbench scores of 1160 multi-core and 565 single-core, while the AMD part has no Geekbench results in the database, giving Intel the win in that benchmark category.

Q: What is the core and thread difference between the two?

A: The AMD PRO A12-8870E has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Core i7-3540M has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: The AMD PRO A12-8870E supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core i7-3540M supports DDR3 memory.

Q: How do their percentiles compare?

A: Both processors are at the 23rd percentile among all CPUs, indicating they occupy the same performance tier in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD PRO A12-8870E wins in every recorded Cinebench test, covering R15 multi-core, R20 multi-core, R20 single-core, R23 multi-core, and R23 single-core. The margins are consistent, between 1.2% and 1.4%, which means the AMD part has a slight but repeatable edge in rendering workloads. Its four physical cores likely contribute to this consistency, even though the Intel part's hyper-threading keeps the gap small. The AMD chip also wins on average benchmark score, 880 to 867, and on memory bandwidth, with 38.4 GB/s recorded versus no figure for Intel.

The Intel Core i7-3540M wins in Geekbench, where it posts 1160 multi-core and 565 single-core, both of which are the only scores in that category for this comparison. It also wins on cache architecture, with a 4 MB shared L3 cache that the AMD part lacks. The Intel chip has a smaller die size (118 mm² versus 250 mm²) and a more advanced 22 nm process node, which are architectural wins even if not directly benchmarked. For tasks that benefit from a large shared cache or that are measured by Geekbench, the Intel part is the clear leader.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several recorded specifications. The AMD PRO A12-8870E has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Core i7-3540M has 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 2.90 GHz for AMD and 3.00 GHz for Intel, with both boosting to 3.70 GHz. The AMD part uses a 28 nm process from GlobalFoundries with 3,100 million transistors and a 250 mm² die, while the Intel part uses a 22 nm process from Intel with no transistor count recorded and a 118 mm² die.

Cache configurations are distinct: AMD has 320 KB L1 and 2 MB L2 with no L3, while Intel has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. Memory support differs, with AMD on DDR4 at 38.4 GB/s and Intel on DDR3 with no bandwidth figure. The AMD chip uses PCIe Gen 3, while the Intel chip has no PCIe generation listed. Sockets are AMD Socket AM4 versus Intel Socket G2 (988B). The AMD part is a desktop processor with Radeon R7 graphics, while the Intel part is a mobile processor with Intel HD 4000 graphics. Both have a 35 W TDP, neither supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel release date is 2013-01-07, while the AMD release date is not recorded.