AMD PRO A12-9800 vs Intel Core i5-4570T Comparison

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD PRO A12-9800 outperforms the Intel Core i5-4570T in every single measured test, claiming all five head-to-head victories. The Intel part, however, is not without merit, offering a lower thermal design power and a more modern PCIe implementation. The choice between these two hinges entirely on whether the priority is raw compute throughput or platform efficiency.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD PRO A12-9800 dominates the multi-core tests, and the margins are consistent and significant. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD part scores 323 against Intel's 275, a delta of -14.9% from Intel's perspective. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where AMD scores 1347 versus Intel's 1147, a 14.8% deficit for the Intel chip. The largest absolute gap appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where AMD's 3208 eclipses Intel's 2732 by 476 points, again representing a 14.8% difference. The data shows a clear trend: in heavily threaded workloads, the AMD PRO A12-9800 holds a consistent advantage of roughly 15% across the board.

Single-core performance tells the same story, though with slightly different magnitudes. In Cinebench R20 single-core, AMD leads with 190 against Intel's 161, a 15.3% delta. The Cinebench R23 single-core test shows AMD at 453 versus Intel's 385, a 15% difference. This consistency is notable; it suggests the AMD architecture has a fundamental per-thread advantage in these rendering workloads, not just a raw core-count advantage. The Intel i5-4570T, despite its higher boost clock relative to its base frequency, cannot close the gap.

It is worth remembering the Intel part has no benchmark wins to its name in this comparison. The head-to-head table lists zero wins for Intel and five for AMD. The only area where Intel shows competitive strength is in the Geekbench tests, where it scores 2016 multi-core and 1042 single-core, but AMD has no Geekbench scores in the data pack, so a direct comparison on that metric is impossible. When looking at the average benchmark score, the two are nearly identical: Intel averages 1108 while AMD averages 1104, a difference of just 0.4%. This average, however, is skewed by the inclusion of Intel's Geekbench results; in the shared Cinebench tests, AMD is consistently ahead.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD PRO A12-9800 wins every multi-core test. It scores 323 in Cinebench R15, 1347 in R20, and 3208 in R23, against Intel's 275, 1147, and 2732 respectively. The AMD part leads by roughly 15% in each case.

Q: Is the Intel i5-4570T competitive in single-core workloads?

A: No. In Cinebench R20 single-core, Intel scores 161 versus AMD's 190, a 15.3% deficit. In R23 single-core, Intel scores 385 versus AMD's 453, a 15% deficit. The data shows AMD wins these tests as well.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The average benchmark scores are nearly identical. The Intel Core i5-4570T has an average score of 1108, while the AMD PRO A12-9800 averages 1104. This places both processors at the 31st percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Which CPU has more physical cores?

A: The AMD PRO A12-9800 has 4 physical cores and 4 threads. The Intel Core i5-4570T has 2 physical cores and 4 threads, relying on Hyper-Threading to reach the same thread count.

Q: What is the difference in memory support?

A: The Intel i5-4570T supports DDR3 memory, while the AMD PRO A12-9800 supports DDR4 memory and has a listed memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. Intel's memory bandwidth is not specified in the data.

Q: Which processor has a lower thermal design power?

A: The Intel Core i5-4570T has a TDP of 35 watts, which is significantly lower than the AMD PRO A12-9800's 65 watts. This makes the Intel part more power-efficient on paper.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD PRO A12-9800 is the clear winner for any workload that leverages multi-threading. The Cinebench suite, which is a common proxy for 3D rendering and content creation, shows AMD winning by 14.8% to 14.9% in all multi-core tests. For users running video encoding, 3D scene rendering, or any batch processing task that can use four threads, the AMD part offers a tangible performance advantage. The single-core wins, while slightly larger in percentage terms (15% to 15.3%), also mean the AMD chip is better for general responsiveness in single-threaded applications, despite having a lower base clock than its boost clock suggests.

The Intel Core i5-4570T's only theoretical edge is in platform efficiency. Its 35-watt TDP is nearly half of AMD's 65-watt figure. This makes it suitable for small form-factor builds or systems where heat dissipation and power draw are the primary constraints. However, the benchmark data does not show Intel winning any performance tests. The Intel chip also uses a Gen 3 PCIe implementation, while the AMD part's PCIe is listed as "Gen 3, 8 Lanes (CPU only)," which could matter for expansion, but this is a specification difference, not a measured performance win.

In terms of market positioning, neither processor is a standout. Both sit at the 31st percentile of all CPUs. Intel's nearest rivals include the AMD PRO A12-8870 (0.1% faster) and the Intel Xeon E5-2609 v3 (0.1% slower). AMD's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E5-2603 v3 and Intel Pentium Gold G6605, both 0.1% faster, and the AMD Opteron 3280 and Athlon X4 845, both 0.2% slower. This indicates that both CPUs are essentially average performers in the broader market, but in this direct matchup, AMD has the measurable performance lead.

Specification Differences

The most obvious difference is core count: Intel has 2 cores and 4 threads, while AMD has 4 cores and 4 threads. Clock speeds also differ substantially, with AMD's base clock at 3.80 GHz and boost at 4.20 GHz, versus Intel's 2.90 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost. The TDP is a major split, with Intel at 35 watts and AMD at 65 watts. Sockets are incompatible: Intel uses Socket 1150, AMD uses Socket AM4.

Memory support diverges as well. Intel uses DDR3, while AMD uses DDR4. AMD lists a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while Intel's is not specified. The integrated graphics differ, with Intel sporting HD 4600 and AMD using Radeon R7. PCIe versions are the same (Gen 3), but AMD specifies only 8 lanes from the CPU, while Intel does not specify a lane count. Release dates are also distinct, with Intel launching June 1, 2013, and AMD launching October 2, 2016. AMD's production status is listed as "Active," while Intel's is not specified.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap is generational. Intel's i5-4570T is built on the Haswell architecture using a 22 nm process node, with 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. AMD's PRO A12-9800 uses the Excavator architecture (codenamed Bristol Ridge) on a 28 nm process, with 3,100 million transistors on a 250 mm² die. The transistor counts and die sizes are notably higher for AMD, which partially explains its higher TDP.

Cache configurations are structured differently. Intel has a tiered cache: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. AMD has a simpler setup: 320 KB total L1 and 2 MB total L2, with no L3 cache listed. Intel's L3 cache is a significant architectural advantage for workloads that benefit from shared cache, but the benchmark data does not show this translating into a win. The foundries differ (Intel vs. GlobalFoundries), and the memory controllers are tied to different DRAM generations, with AMD supporting the newer DDR4 standard.

The Verdict

The data compels a straightforward verdict: the AMD PRO A12-9800 is the superior performer in this matchup. It wins all five head-to-head benchmarks, with a consistent 15% lead in both single-core and multi-core Cinebench tests. The 4-core design, higher clock speeds, and newer memory support give it a decisive edge in every measured workload. Users seeking maximum compute performance from these two specific parts should select the AMD PRO A12-9800 without hesitation.

The Intel Core i5-4570T is only the right choice under a narrow set of constraints. Its 35-watt TDP is the standout specification, making it the better option for a system where power draw and heat output are the primary design limits. Its older Haswell architecture and DDR3 support are drawbacks, but if the workload is light and efficiency is paramount, the Intel part is the rational pick. However, for any scenario where the CPU will be pushed, the benchmark results indicate AMD wins every time. The Intel chip's average score of 1108 versus AMD's 1104 is a statistical tie, but that average is misleading; in the tests they share, AMD is consistently ahead. The verdict is clear: AMD for performance, Intel only for power-constrained builds.