AMD PRO A12-9800 vs Intel Pentium 6805 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD PRO A12-9800 has an average benchmark score of 1104, while the Intel Pentium 6805 scores 1099. The difference is only 5 points, placing both CPUs at the 31st percentile among all tested processors.

Q: How do the two processors compare in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Pentium 6805 wins all multi-core Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 3801 versus the AMD PRO A12-9800's 3208, a delta of -15.6% from the AMD's perspective. The same pattern appears in R20 (1596 vs 1347) and R15 (383 vs 323).

Q: Which processor has a smaller manufacturing process?

A: The Intel Pentium 6805 is built on a 10 nm process, while the AMD PRO A12-9800 uses a 28 nm process from GlobalFoundries. The Intel chip also has a smaller die size at 123 mm² compared to 250 mm² for the AMD part.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two chips?

A: The AMD PRO A12-9800 has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Intel Pentium 6805 has a TDP of 15 watts. This reflects the AMD part's desktop segment targeting versus Intel's mobile-oriented Ice Lake-Y design.

Q: Which processor has higher single-core Cinebench scores?

A: The Intel Pentium 6805 leads in both single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 536 versus 453 for the AMD, a delta of -15.5%. In R20 single-core, the Intel scores 225 versus 190, a -15.6% difference.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The AMD PRO A12-9800 is listed as Active, while the Intel Pentium 6805 is marked as End-of-life. The AMD chip was released on 2016-10-02, and the Intel chip on 2020-09-30.

Architecture Differences

The AMD PRO A12-9800 and Intel Pentium 6805 represent fundamentally different design philosophies and eras. The AMD part uses the Excavator architecture under the Bristol Ridge codename, built on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It integrates 3,100 million transistors on a 250 mm² die. The Intel Pentium 6805, by contrast, uses the Ice Lake architecture under the Ice Lake-Y codename, manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process with a 123 mm² die size. The transistor count for the Intel chip is not provided.

Core configuration differs sharply. The AMD PRO A12-9800 has 4 physical cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Pentium 6805 has 2 physical cores and 4 threads via Hyper-Threading. The AMD chip's base clock is listed at 3.80 GHz with a boost of 4.20 GHz. The Intel chip's base clock is listed at 1100.00 MHz (1.10 GHz) with a boost of 3.00 GHz. This is a striking contrast: the AMD part runs at a much higher base frequency, while the Intel part relies on a lower base but a substantial boost multiplier.

Cache hierarchies are organized differently. The AMD PRO A12-9800 has 320 KB of L1 cache and 2 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache present. The Intel Pentium 6805 has 80 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. This means the Intel chip has a more layered cache design, while the AMD chip's total cache is smaller and lacks a third level entirely.

Memory support shows both chips use DDR4 with dual-channel memory buses, but the bandwidth figures differ. The AMD PRO A12-9800 has a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the Intel Pentium 6805 reaches 51.2 GB/s. Neither chip supports ECC memory. PCIe support also differs: the AMD part carries Gen 3 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel part lists Gen 3 without a lane count.

Integrated graphics differentiate the two as well. The AMD PRO A12-9800 includes Radeon R7 graphics, while the Intel Pentium 6805 features UHD Graphics with 32 execution units. The AMD chip is a desktop part on Socket AM4, while the Intel chip is a mobile part on BGA 1526. The production status also differs: AMD is Active, Intel is End-of-life.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data presents a uniform picture: the Intel Pentium 6805 wins all five recorded benchmark comparisons. The AMD PRO A12-9800 records zero wins, while the Intel chip records five.

Starting with Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel Pentium 6805 scores 383 against the AMD's 323. The delta percentage is -15.7% from the AMD's perspective, meaning the Intel chip outperforms by that margin. This is the largest relative gap in the dataset.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core test shows the Intel chip at 1596 versus 1347 for the AMD, a -15.6% delta. The single-core R20 test shows 225 versus 190, also -15.6%. The consistency of these deltas across both single and multi-core tests is notable. It suggests the Intel chip's advantage is not workload-specific but rather a fundamental performance edge.

In Cinebench R23, the multi-core test yields 3801 for Intel and 3208 for AMD, a -15.6% delta. The single-core test shows 536 versus 453, a -15.5% delta. The margins are remarkably stable across the entire benchmark suite, hovering around 15.5% to 15.7% in Intel's favor.

Interpreting these scores in context: the AMD PRO A12-9800's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E5-2603 v3 (average score 1103, delta 0.1%) and the Intel Pentium Gold G6605 (1103, 0.1%). The Intel Pentium 6805's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-3450S (1099, 0% delta) and the Intel Xeon E5-1603 v3 (1098, 0.1%). Both chips sit in the same performance neighborhood, surrounded by similar-scoring processors. The deltaPct values among rivals are essentially negligible, indicating that this particular AMD-versus-Intel matchup is more decisive than the chips' overall standings suggest.

The benchmark results indicate that despite having only 2 physical cores, the Intel Pentium 6805's newer architecture and higher boost clock (3.00 GHz) overcome the AMD's 4-core advantage. The AMD's higher base clock (3.80 GHz) does not translate into a performance win in any tested scenario.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. The table below highlights only the fields where the two chips diverge.

| Specification | AMD PRO A12-9800 | Intel Pentium 6805 |

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

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.80 GHz | 1100.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.20 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel BGA 1526 |

| Architecture | Excavator | Ice Lake |

| Codename | Bristol Ridge | Ice Lake-Y |

| Generation | A12 (Bristol Ridge) | Pentium (Sunny Cove-Y) |

| Process Node | 28 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 3,100 million | Not provided |

| Die Size | 250 mm² | 123 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 320 KB | 80 KB (per core) |

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

| L3 Cache | None | 4 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon R7 | UHD Graphics (32EU) |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2016-10-02 | 2020-09-30 |

| Launch MSRP | Not provided | $161 |

| Part Number | AD980BAUM44AB | SRK0U |

Fields that are identical include memory support (DDR4), memory bus (dual-channel), ECC memory support (false for both), and multiplier unlock status (false for both). The market segments differ, with AMD targeting desktop and Intel targeting mobile.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The Intel Pentium 6805 outperforms the AMD PRO A12-9800 in every single recorded test, with consistent deltas around 15.5% to 15.7%. This holds true for both single-core and multi-core workloads, across three different Cinebench versions.

The AMD PRO A12-9800's 4-core, 4-thread configuration and higher base clock (3.80 GHz) do not compensate for the architectural advantages of the Intel Pentium 6805. The Intel chip's 10 nm process, 4 MB of shared L3 cache, and higher memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s) likely contribute to its consistent edge. The Intel chip also achieves this performance at a dramatically lower TDP of 15 watts versus 65 watts.

However, the comparison is not purely about performance. The AMD PRO A12-9800 remains in Active production, while the Intel Pentium 6805 is End-of-life. The AMD part uses the desktop AM4 socket, which may be more accessible for system builders, while the Intel part is a mobile BGA 1526 chip. The AMD chip's Radeon R7 integrated graphics may also be more capable than Intel's UHD Graphics with 32 execution units, though no direct graphics benchmarks are provided.

From a pure performance standpoint, the data shows the Intel Pentium 6805 is the superior processor. For users prioritizing an available, desktop-form-factor CPU with four physical cores, the AMD PRO A12-9800 remains a viable option despite its benchmark deficit.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Pentium 6805 wins in every benchmark category recorded. It leads in Cinebench R15 multi-core (383 vs 323), R20 multi-core (1596 vs 1347), R20 single-core (225 vs 190), R23 multi-core (3801 vs 3208), and R23 single-core (536 vs 453). The deltas are tightly clustered between -15.5% and -15.7%, indicating a uniform performance advantage across both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads.

The AMD PRO A12-9800 does not win any benchmark in the dataset. Its strengths lie outside the recorded Cinebench tests. It offers four physical cores versus the Intel's two, which could matter in workloads that scale with physical core count despite the benchmark results not reflecting such an advantage. Its higher base clock of 3.80 GHz may provide more consistent performance in scenarios where boost clocks are not sustained. The AMD chip's Active production status and desktop socket (AM4) make it more accessible for current system builds, whereas the Intel chip's End-of-life status and BGA 1526 socket are more restrictive.

For users who prioritize raw processing speed in Cinebench-style workloads, the Intel Pentium 6805 is the clear choice. For users who need a currently-produced desktop processor with four physical cores, the AMD PRO A12-9800 is the only option that fits that description, despite losing every benchmark comparison. The data does not support any performance scenario where the AMD chip comes out ahead.