AMD PRO A12-9800E vs Intel Core i5-5350U Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a remarkably consistent picture: the AMD PRO A12-9800E wins every single head-to-head benchmark against the Intel Core i5-5350U, with a 5-0 sweep. The average delta across all Cinebench tests is approximately 20%, with the AMD part leading by 20.4% in multicore workloads and by 20-20.3% in single-core tests. Both processors sit at the 24th percentile of all CPUs, placing them in the same performance tier overall, yet the AMD part is consistently ahead within that tier.

The AMD PRO A12-9800E is the clear choice for anyone building a desktop system where raw compute throughput matters more than power efficiency. Its 4 physical cores at a 3.10 GHz base clock and 3.80 GHz boost clock provide a substantial advantage over the Intel's 2 cores and 4 threads, which run at a much lower 1.80 GHz base and 2.90 GHz boost. The data shows the AMD part delivering a 20.4% higher Cinebench R23 multicore score (2646 vs 2198) and a 20.3% higher single-core score (373 vs 310), making it the superior option for CPU-bound tasks like rendering, compilation, or heavy multitasking.

The Intel Core i5-5350U, however, is not without its merits. Its 15 W TDP is less than half the AMD's 35 W, making it dramatically more power-efficient. This is a mobile processor in the BGA 1168 form factor, designed for ultrabooks and compact laptops where battery life and thermal headroom are paramount. The Intel part also supports DDR3 memory with a specified bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s, whereas the AMD part supports DDR4 but has no listed bandwidth figure. For users prioritizing portability and efficiency over raw performance, the Intel chip remains viable, but the data is unambiguous: on pure compute, the AMD PRO A12-9800E wins decisively.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multicore workloads?

A: The AMD PRO A12-9800E wins all multicore benchmarks by 20.4%. Specifically, it scores 266 vs 221 in Cinebench R15, 1111 vs 923 in R20, and 2646 vs 2198 in R23.

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-5350U better at single-core tasks?

A: No. The AMD part leads by 20% in Cinebench R20 single-core (156 vs 130) and by 20.3% in R23 single-core (373 vs 310). The Intel's higher boost clock of 2.90 GHz does not compensate for the AMD's 3.80 GHz boost.

Q: How do these processors compare to similar CPUs?

A: The AMD PRO A12-9800E has an average benchmark score of 910, sitting within 0.2% of the AMD Ryzen 3 3250U and Intel Core i3-10110Y (both 908), and 0.3% below the Intel Xeon W3540 (913). The Intel Core i5-5350U averages 903, matching the Intel Core i7-940 (903) and trailing the Intel Core i3-4330T by 0.6%.

Q: What are the power consumption differences?

A: The AMD PRO A12-9800E has a 35 W TDP, while the Intel Core i5-5350U has a 15 W TDP. This makes the Intel part more than twice as power-efficient on paper, though the AMD part delivers roughly 20% more performance.

Q: Which processor supports newer memory technology?

A: The AMD PRO A12-9800E supports DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, while the Intel Core i5-5350U supports DDR3 with a specified bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The AMD PRO A12-9800E is listed as "Active" production, while the Intel Core i5-5350U is "End-of-life." The Intel part also has a launch MSRP of $315, while no launch MSRP is listed for the AMD part.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD PRO A12-9800E uses the Excavator architecture on a 28 nm process node, manufactured by GlobalFoundries. This is a desktop-oriented design built for the AMD Socket AM4 platform, and it packs 4 physical cores with 4 threads. The transistor count is listed at 3,100 million on a 250 mm² die, reflecting a larger, more power-hungry design.

The Intel Core i5-5350U, in contrast, uses the Broadwell architecture on a 14 nm process node, manufactured by Intel. This is a mobile-focused design for the Intel BGA 1168 socket, featuring 2 physical cores with 4 threads via Hyper-Threading. The transistor count is 1,900 million on a 133 mm² die, which is significantly smaller and more efficient per transistor.

Cache hierarchies differ notably. The AMD part has 320 KB of L1 cache and 2 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache listed. The Intel part has 64 KB of L1 per core (128 KB total for 2 cores) and 256 KB of L2 per core (512 KB total), plus 3 MB of shared L3 cache. This means the Intel chip has a larger total cache pool (3.5 MB vs 2.32 MB) and benefits from a shared L3 for inter-core communication, while the AMD chip relies on its larger per-core L1 and L2.

Memory support diverges sharply: the AMD part uses DDR4 in dual-channel mode, while the Intel part uses DDR3 with a specified bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s. The integrated graphics also differ — the AMD uses Radeon R7, while the Intel uses HD 6000. Neither processor has a 3D V-Cache option, and neither supports ECC memory.

Specification Differences

The specification table reveals several key differences beyond the obvious core count disparity. The AMD PRO A12-9800E has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-5350U has a base clock of 1.80 GHz and a boost clock of 2.90 GHz. This 1.30 GHz base clock advantage and 0.90 GHz boost clock advantage for the AMD part is the primary driver of its benchmark superiority.

The TDP difference is substantial: 35 W for the AMD versus 15 W for the Intel. This directly correlates with the market segment — the AMD is a Desktop part, while the Intel is a Mobile part. The socket types are incompatible: AMD Socket AM4 versus Intel BGA 1168.

PCIe support differs: the AMD part offers Gen 3 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel part offers Gen 2 with 12 lanes (CPU only). The AMD part has a higher PCIe generation but fewer lanes, which may matter for certain expansion configurations.

The release dates are nearly two years apart: the AMD was released on 2017-07-26, while the Intel was released on 2015-02-28. The Intel part's production status is "End-of-life," whereas the AMD part remains "Active." The part numbers are AD980BAHM44AB for AMD and SR268 for Intel. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $315, which is the only pricing information available.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is remarkably one-sided. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD PRO A12-9800E scores 266 against the Intel's 221, a 20.4% advantage. This pattern repeats exactly in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the AMD scores 1111 versus 923, again a 20.4% delta. The consistency of this percentage across different Cinebench versions suggests a stable architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific anomaly.

The single-core results are just as decisive. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the AMD scores 156 versus 130, a 20% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD scores 373 versus 310, a 20.3% lead. The AMD's higher clock speeds (3.80 GHz boost vs 2.90 GHz boost) clearly translate into superior per-thread performance, despite the Intel's more modern 14 nm process.

The Intel Core i5-5350U does have additional Geekbench scores that are not listed for the AMD part: a multicore score of 1671 and a single-core score of 868. However, since no corresponding Geekbench data exists for the AMD PRO A12-9800E in the fact pack, these cannot be compared directly. The available Cinebench data, however, consistently shows the AMD part winning by roughly 20% across all five head-to-head tests.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD PRO A12-9800E wins every benchmark category where direct comparison is possible. Its 20.4% multicore advantage means it is the better choice for rendering, video encoding, scientific computing, and any workload that scales with multiple threads. The 20-20.3% single-core advantage means it also wins in lightly-threaded applications like web browsing, office productivity, and legacy software that relies on a single thread. The AMD part's 4 physical cores versus the Intel's 2 cores (with 4 threads) likely contributes to its multicore lead, while its higher clock speeds explain the single-core dominance.

The Intel Core i5-5350U wins in categories not captured by the benchmark data. Its 15 W TDP versus the AMD's 35 W TDP makes it the clear choice for fanless or passively-cooled designs, ultraportable laptops, and any scenario where battery life is critical. Its mobile form factor (BGA 1168) and smaller die size (133 mm² vs 250 mm²) make it suitable for compact devices where the AMD's desktop-oriented AM4 socket cannot be used. The Intel part also has a 29.9 GB/s memory bandwidth figure, which is specified, whereas the AMD part has no such figure listed, suggesting better-documented memory performance for the Intel chip.

The average benchmark scores are remarkably close — 910 for the AMD versus 903 for the Intel, a mere 0.8% difference — yet the head-to-head data shows a consistent 20% gap. This discrepancy suggests that the AMD part's wins are concentrated in the Cinebench tests, while the Intel part may have strengths in other benchmark categories that are not included in the head-to-head comparison. The Intel's Geekbench scores (1671 multicore, 868 single-core) may represent areas where it performs relatively better, though without AMD equivalents, this remains speculative. For users who prioritize raw compute performance and are willing to accept higher power consumption, the AMD PRO A12-9800E is the data-backed choice. For users who prioritize efficiency and mobility, the Intel Core i5-5350U remains a reasonable option, particularly in its native mobile market segment.