AMD PRO A12-9800E vs Intel Core i7-870 Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unusually one-sided. The Intel Core i7-870 wins all five recorded head-to-head tests against the AMD PRO A12-9800E. The margins are narrow, with every delta sitting at exactly 1.9%, but the pattern is consistent across single-core and multi-core workloads. The Intel part holds the average benchmark score advantage at 928 versus 910 for AMD, and it occupies the 25th percentile of all CPUs compared to AMD's 24th. For anyone prioritizing raw CPU compute, the i7-870 is the choice.

The AMD PRO A12-9800E, however, is not without its own rationale. It is the only one of the two with integrated graphics, featuring a Radeon R7 iGPU. It also runs on a modern AM4 socket, supports DDR4 memory, and has a 35 W TDP versus Intel's 95 W TDP. For a system builder focused on power efficiency, lower thermals, and avoiding a discrete graphics card, the AMD part is the practical pick despite losing every compute benchmark. The Intel chip is end-of-life and requires a legacy Socket 1156 platform with DDR3, making it a poor choice for new builds. The AMD part remains active in production and targets a different use case: compact, efficient desktops where the iGPU removes the need for separate graphics hardware.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two desktop processors is substantial. Intel's Core i7-870 uses the Nehalem architecture, specifically the Lynnfield codename, built on a 45 nm process node at Intel's own foundry. It packs 774 million transistors into a 296 mm² die. The AMD PRO A12-9800E uses the Excavator architecture with the Bristol Ridge codename, fabricated by GlobalFoundries on a 28 nm process. It integrates 3,100 million transistors on a 250 mm² die. The transistor counts and node sizes reflect two very different design philosophies: Intel's older, larger-node design versus AMD's denser, newer process.

Core and thread counts differ. The i7-870 offers 4 cores and 8 threads, leveraging Hyper-Threading, while the A12-9800E offers 4 cores and 4 threads with no simultaneous multithreading. This explains why the Intel part wins every multi-core benchmark despite lower clock speeds. The i7-870's base clock is 2.93 GHz with a 3.60 GHz boost, while the A12-9800E runs at a higher 3.10 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost. Higher clocks do not compensate for the missing threads.

Cache hierarchies diverge significantly. Intel provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a shared 8 MB L3 cache. AMD provides 320 KB of L1 total and 2 MB of L2 total, with no L3 cache at all. The absence of L3 cache on the AMD part is a notable disadvantage in workloads that benefit from larger shared pools. Memory support also differs: Intel uses DDR3 on a dual-channel bus, while AMD uses DDR4 on a dual-channel bus. The PCIe interface differs as well, with Intel offering Gen 2 with 16 lanes (CPU only) and AMD offering Gen 3 with 8 lanes (CPU only).

The integrated graphics situation is a major differentiator. The i7-870 has no integrated graphics, necessitating a discrete GPU. The AMD part includes a Radeon R7 iGPU, enabling a fully functional system without an add-in card. The production status also differs: Intel's part is end-of-life, released in September 2009, while AMD's part is active, released in July 2017. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-870 has an average benchmark score of 928, while the AMD PRO A12-9800E scores 910. The Intel part also sits at the 25th percentile of all CPUs, one point above AMD's 24th percentile.

Q: Does the AMD PRO A12-9800E have any advantage in power consumption?

A: Yes. The AMD part has a 35 W TDP, while the Intel Core i7-870 has a 95 W TDP. This makes the AMD processor significantly more power-efficient on paper.

Q: Which processor supports newer memory technology?

A: The AMD PRO A12-9800E supports DDR4 memory, while the Intel Core i7-870 supports DDR3. Both use a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: Can either processor run without a discrete graphics card?

A: Only the AMD PRO A12-9800E can, as it includes a Radeon R7 integrated graphics unit. The Intel Core i7-870 has no integrated graphics, so a separate GPU is required.

Q: What is the largest benchmark margin between the two?

A: Every recorded head-to-head test shows the same 1.9% delta in favor of the Intel Core i7-870. The margins are uniform across all five Cinebench tests.

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-870 has 8 threads across 4 cores, while the AMD PRO A12-9800E has 4 threads across 4 cores. This gives Intel a clear advantage in multi-threaded workloads.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every core specification. The Intel Core i7-870 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD PRO A12-9800E has 4 cores and 4 threads. Intel's base clock is 2.93 GHz with a boost of 3.60 GHz; AMD's base is 3.10 GHz with a boost of 3.80 GHz. The TDP difference is stark: 95 W for Intel versus 35 W for AMD.

Sockets are incompatible: Intel uses Socket 1156, AMD uses Socket AM4. Architectures differ entirely, with Intel on Nehalem (Lynnfield) and AMD on Excavator (Bristol Ridge). Process nodes are 45 nm for Intel and 28 nm for AMD. Transistor counts are 774 million for Intel versus 3,100 million for AMD, and die sizes are 296 mm² versus 250 mm².

Cache configurations are not comparable. Intel has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. AMD has 320 KB L1 total and 2 MB L2 total, with no L3. Memory support is DDR3 for Intel and DDR4 for AMD. PCIe generations differ: Gen 2 with 16 lanes for Intel, Gen 3 with 8 lanes for AMD. Integrated graphics exist only on the AMD part (Radeon R7). Production status is end-of-life for Intel and active for AMD. Release dates are September 2009 for Intel and July 2017 for AMD. Part numbers are SLBJG for Intel and AD980BAHM44AB for AMD.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Core i7-870. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, Intel scores 271 against AMD's 266, a 1.9% advantage. The same margin appears in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where Intel scores 1132 and AMD scores 1111. Single-core results follow the identical pattern: Intel's 159 beats AMD's 156 in Cinebench R20 single-core, again by 1.9%.

Cinebench R23 multi-core shows Intel at 2697 versus AMD at 2646, with the same 1.9% delta. The single-core R23 test has Intel at 380 and AMD at 373, also 1.9% apart. The consistency of the delta across all five tests suggests the performance gap is structural rather than workload-specific. The Intel part's 8 threads provide a persistent edge in multi-core tests, while its older architecture still manages to edge out AMD's higher-clocked cores in single-core tests.

The average benchmark scores reinforce the head-to-head results. Intel's 928 average is 18 points higher than AMD's 910. Nearest-rival data places the i7-870 alongside the Intel Core i5-4288U (927, 0.1% delta) and the Intel Core i3-4350T (926, 0.2% delta). The AMD part sits near the AMD Ryzen 3 3250U (908, 0.2% delta) and the Intel Core i3-10110Y (908, 0.2% delta). These comparisons show both processors occupying a similar performance tier, but Intel holds the edge within that tier.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-870 wins every recorded compute benchmark. Its advantage is most pronounced in multi-threaded scenarios, where the 8 threads versus 4 threads make the difference. The 1.9% margin in Cinebench R23 multi-core (2697 versus 2646) and R15 multi-core (271 versus 266) shows a consistent lead in heavily threaded workloads. Single-core tests also favor Intel, though by the same narrow margin. The i7-870 also claims the higher average benchmark score (928 versus 910) and the higher percentile ranking (25 versus 24). This makes it the clear choice for CPU-bound tasks such as video encoding, 3D rendering, and scientific computing, where every point of multi-core performance matters.

The AMD PRO A12-9800E wins no benchmark tests, but it wins on platform attributes. Its 35 W TDP is less than half of Intel's 95 W TDP, making it suitable for small-form-factor and low-power builds. The integrated Radeon R7 graphics eliminate the need for a separate GPU, enabling a compact, all-in-one desktop solution. The AM4 socket and DDR4 memory support provide a modern upgrade path, and the active production status means availability for new systems. The Gen 3 PCIe interface, though limited to 8 lanes, offers higher per-lane bandwidth than Intel's Gen 2 implementation. For users prioritizing power efficiency, integrated graphics, and platform longevity over raw compute performance, the AMD part is the sensible pick. For users who need maximum CPU throughput and already have a discrete GPU, the Intel part delivers the better benchmark results across the board.