AMD FX-8800P

The AMD FX-8800P is a 4-core, 4-thread mobile processor from the Excavator generation, built on a 28 nm process by GlobalFoundries. Its average benchmark score of 843 places it in the 22nd percentile of all CPUs, indicating that it sits firmly in the entry-level performance tier. The data shows a processor designed for basic productivity and light multitasking, with its performance profile closely matching several older desktop and mobile parts.

How It Compares

The FX-8800P's closest rival is the Intel Core i7-3520M, which scores 841 on average. The delta is a negligible 0.2% in favor of the AMD part, meaning the two are effectively identical in overall throughput. This is notable because the i7-3520M is a dual-core with Hyper-Threading, while the FX-8800P offers four physical cores; the benchmark data suggests that raw core count does not translate into a meaningful advantage here.

Against the Intel Xeon X3450, the FX-8800P holds a 0.4% lead, with the Xeon scoring 839. The Xeon X3450 is a much older server-oriented part, yet the performance gap is almost non-existent. This indicates that the FX-8800P's modern architecture does not provide a significant generational uplift over this legacy chip, and users should not expect a dramatic improvement in compute-heavy tasks.

The comparison with the Intel Xeon X5470 reveals a similar story, with the FX-8800P ahead by 0.5% (839 vs. 843). The X5470 is another older Xeon, and the near-tie in scores suggests that the FX-8800P's efficiency gains are offset by its lower power envelope and mobile-focused design. In practical terms, the FX-8800P delivers roughly the same multi-threaded capability as these older, higher-power desktop parts.

The only rival where the FX-8800P falls behind is the AMD Athlon X4 830, which scores 848. This represents a -0.6% deficit for the FX-8800P. The Athlon X4 830 is a desktop part with a similar core configuration, and the slight edge in its favor suggests that the mobile FX-8800P sacrifices a small amount of sustained performance for its 15 W TDP class.

Platform and Compatibility

The FX-8800P uses the AMD Socket FP4, which is a mobile-specific socket designed for thin and light laptops. It is based on the Carrizo architecture, representing the generation labeled "FX (Carrizo)." The processor integrates a Radeon R7 8CU graphics solution, making it an APU rather than a standalone CPU, which is typical for this market segment.

Memory support is limited to DDR3, operating in a dual-channel configuration. The maximum memory bandwidth is 34.1 GB/s, which is modest by modern standards but adequate for the processor's intended workloads. ECC memory is not supported, so the platform is not suitable for error-critical server or workstation tasks. The memory controller is integrated, and the lack of L3 cache is notable; the cache hierarchy consists of 320 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 per module, which is a relatively small pool for the four cores to share.

For expansion, the FX-8800P provides PCIe Gen 3 with 8 lanes available from the CPU. This is sufficient for a single discrete GPU or an NVMe drive, but the lane count is half of what desktop platforms typically offer. The socket FP4 is not upgradeable to newer AMD architectures, as it is tied to the Carrizo generation. The production status is end-of-life, and the release date is June 1, 2015, so this is an older platform with no forward upgrade path.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark results show a clear split between single-thread and multi-thread performance, with the multi-thread scores being relatively stronger. In Cinebench R23, the FX-8800P scores 2407 in multi-core and 339 in single-core. The multi-core score is roughly 7.1 times the single-core score, which is higher than what a perfectly scaling 4-core processor would achieve, indicating some inefficiency in multi-threaded scaling but still a decent aggregate output.

In Cinebench R20, the multi-core score is 1010, while the single-core score is 142. This ratio is approximately 7.1 again, consistent with the R23 results. The Geekbench scores are lower in absolute terms, with a multi-core score of 1234 and a single-core score of 524. The multi-core to single-core ratio here is about 2.35, which is much lower than the Cinebench ratios. This discrepancy suggests that the FX-8800P performs relatively better on integer-heavy workloads like Geekbench than on the floating-point and rendering tasks in Cinebench.

Compared to its rivals, the FX-8800P's overall average score of 843 is essentially tied with the Intel Core i7-3520M (841, +0.2%). However, the Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 242 shows that the FX-8800P is not a strong renderer; it would likely trail many modern entry-level processors in this specific test. The single-core scores, such as the 339 in R23, are particularly low, indicating that the Excavator architecture is not competitive with even older Intel cores in lightly-threaded tasks.

FAQ

Q: Does the AMD FX-8800P support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported by this processor.

Q: What is the socket type for the FX-8800P?

A: The processor uses the AMD Socket FP4, which is designed for mobile devices.

Q: How many PCIe lanes does the CPU provide?

A: The FX-8800P provides 8 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, the multiplier is locked, so overclocking is not supported.

Q: What is the manufacturing process for this chip?

A: The FX-8800P is fabricated on a 28 nm process node by GlobalFoundries.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the FX-8800P?

A: The dual-channel DDR3 memory configuration provides a bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s.

Who Should Consider It

The FX-8800P is best suited for basic office productivity and web browsing, where its 4 cores can handle light multitasking without significant slowdowns. The multi-core Cinebench R20 score of 1010 and Geekbench multi-core score of 1234 indicate that it can manage spreadsheet work, document editing, and email clients with reasonable responsiveness. However, the 22nd percentile ranking means it is not recommended for demanding professional workloads.

For gaming, the integrated Radeon R7 8CU graphics and the low single-core scores (524 in Geekbench single-core) suggest that the FX-8800P is only suitable for very old or low-demanding titles at low settings. The 8 PCIe lanes do allow for a discrete GPU, but the processor's overall performance would bottleneck modern gaming cards. Users seeking a gaming laptop should look at more recent architectures.

Content creation is largely off the table for this processor. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 2407 is far below what is needed for video editing or 3D rendering, and the lack of L3 cache and low memory bandwidth will exacerbate these limitations. The processor is an end-of-life product, so it is primarily relevant for refurbished or budget laptops where the expectation is basic computing, not creation.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The data reveals a notable imbalance between single-thread and multi-thread performance. The single-core scores are exceptionally low: 339 in Cinebench R23 and 524 in Geekbench. These numbers are typical of a low-power mobile chip from the mid-2010s, and they indicate that any workload relying on a single core, such as launching applications or handling browser JavaScript, will feel sluggish. The Excavator architecture's low clock speeds, with a base of 2.10 GHz and a boost of 3.40 GHz, contribute to this weakness.

In contrast, the multi-threaded scores show a relatively stronger showing. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 2407 is about 7.1 times the single-core score, which is a high scaling ratio. This suggests that the four cores are able to work together efficiently when the workload is fully parallel. The Geekbench multi-core score of 1234, however, is only 2.35 times the single-core score, which indicates that the scaling is much less impressive in more varied workloads.

This split means that the FX-8800P behaves like a processor that is optimized for batch processing rather than interactive tasks. For example, a file compression or data encoding task that uses all cores will see better utilization, but any task with a sequential component will be hampered by the weak single-core performance. The practical implication is that the processor feels faster in sustained, multi-threaded operations than in everyday use, where single-thread speed dominates.

Power and Thermals

The FX-8800P has a TDP of 15 W, which classifies it as an ultra-low-power mobile processor. This is a critical figure because it dictates the thermal design of the laptop chassis. A 15 W TDP allows for a passive cooling solution in some cases or a very small, quiet fan in others, enabling thin and light form factors.

The 28 nm process node, while old, is relatively efficient for the era, and the 15 W envelope means that sustained performance will be limited by power and thermal throttling. The base clock of 2.10 GHz is likely the sustained frequency under load, while the 3.40 GHz boost is only achievable in short bursts or when only one or two cores are active. The integrated Radeon R7 8CU shares the same thermal budget, so running both the CPU and GPU simultaneously will further reduce CPU clocks.

Given the 15 W TDP, a capable air cooler is sufficient to manage thermals, and no exotic cooling solution is required. The processor's die size is 250 mm² with 3,100 million transistors, which is large for a chip of this performance level, but the low power target ensures it remains cool. The end-of-life status means that thermal performance has not been updated with newer materials or designs, but the low TDP inherently limits heat output, making it a safe choice for compact laptops.