AMD PRO A12-8870E

The AMD PRO A12-8870E is a 4-core, 4-thread desktop processor built on the 28 nm Excavator architecture (codename Carrizo) for the AMD Socket AM4 platform. It runs at a base clock of 2.90 GHz and boosts up to 3.70 GHz, with a 35 W TDP and integrated Radeon R7 graphics. In the benchmark database, it holds a 23rd-percentile ranking among all CPUs and posts an average benchmark score of 880, placing it in a tight cluster of older and low-power parts.

Platform and Compatibility

The PRO A12-8870E uses the AMD Socket AM4 interface, a mainstream desktop socket that accommodates a wide range of AMD processors. This part is paired with DDR4 memory, supporting dual-channel configurations with a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. It does not support ECC memory, which aligns with its desktop-oriented positioning. For expansion, the processor provides PCIe Gen 3 connectivity, though the specific lane count is not disclosed in the available data. The integrated Radeon R7 graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU in basic configurations, making the chip a self-contained solution for entry-level or office systems. The memory controller is dual-channel, and the lack of L3 cache — only 320 KB of L1 and 2 MB of L2 are present — means the processor relies on its relatively high clock speeds and the Excavator architecture to deliver performance. The AM4 socket also implies a straightforward upgrade path within the same platform generation, though the exact compatibility with newer AM4 CPUs is not part of the provided specifications.

Power and Thermals

With a TDP of 35 W, the PRO A12-8870E sits in the low-power segment of desktop processors. This thermal envelope allows for modest cooling solutions, such as a compact air cooler or a low-profile heatsink, and makes the chip suitable for small-form-factor builds where heat dissipation is a concern. The 28 nm process node, fabricated by GlobalFoundries, contributes to the relatively modest power draw, though the 3,100 million transistors and 250 mm² die size suggest a fairly dense design for its era. The integrated Radeon R7 graphics share the same thermal budget, so the CPU and GPU together stay within the 35 W envelope. This TDP class typically does not require aggressive cooling or high-end thermal solutions, and the lack of an unlocked multiplier (multiplierUnlocked: false) means overclocking is not a supported avenue for extracting additional performance. Benchmark results indicate that the processor maintains its clocks under typical workloads, but no specific temperature or power-consumption measurements are available in the data.

Benchmark Performance

The PRO A12-8870E delivers a multicore score of 257 in Cinebench R15, 1074 in Cinebench R20, and 2558 in Cinebench R23. Single-core results are 151 in Cinebench R20 and 361 in Cinebench R23. These numbers place the chip in a performance tier that is modest by modern standards, as reflected by its 23rd-percentile standing among all CPUs. The average benchmark score of 880 is nearly identical to that of its closest rivals, with deltas of less than half a percent in each direction.

Against the AMD Phenom II X6 1035T, the PRO A12-8870E trails by 0.1% in average benchmark score (881 vs. 880). The Intel Core i7-860 leads by 0.2% (882 vs. 880), and the Intel Pentium G4560T also posts an 882 average, giving it a 0.3% advantage. Conversely, the PRO A12-8870E edges out the Intel Core i3-5157U by 0.4% (880 vs. 877). These differences are negligible in real-world terms, meaning the PRO A12-8870E performs on par with a group of processors spanning from 2009 to 2017 architectures. The multicore scores, particularly the Cinebench R23 result of 2558, indicate that the four Excavator cores are competitive with the six-core Phenom II and the dual-core Hyper-Threaded Pentium in heavily threaded workloads, though the single-core scores (361 in R23) lag behind more modern designs.

The 23rd percentile implies that the PRO A12-8870E outperforms roughly a quarter of all CPUs in the database, which is consistent with its positioning as an entry-level desktop part. The benchmark data shows a balanced, if unremarkable, profile: the multicore advantage over its single-core performance is typical for a quad-core without SMT, and the lack of L3 cache may limit scaling in cache-sensitive applications.

FAQ

Q: What socket does the AMD PRO A12-8870E use?

A: It uses the AMD Socket AM4 interface, which is common across many AMD desktop processors.

Q: Does the processor support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported. The chip is designed for standard DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration.

Q: What is the TDP of the PRO A12-8870E?

A: The TDP is 35 W, placing it in the low-power desktop segment.

Q: What integrated graphics does it include?

A: It integrates Radeon R7 graphics, allowing basic display output without a discrete GPU.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of this processor?

A: The dual-channel DDR4 memory interface provides a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s.

Q: How does the PRO A12-8870E compare to the Intel Pentium G4560T?

A: The Pentium G4560T has an average benchmark score of 882, which is 0.3% higher than the PRO A12-8870E's 880.

How It Compares

AMD Phenom II X6 1035T: The Phenom II X6 1035T, a six-core processor from an earlier era, posts an average benchmark score of 881, giving it a 0.1% edge over the PRO A12-8870E. Despite having two more physical cores, the older architecture and lower clock speeds keep it statistically tied with the Excavator-based chip. In multicore workloads, the PRO A12-8870E's higher clocks and more modern instruction set may offset the core-count advantage, though the Phenom II's six threads can still hold a slight lead in heavily parallel tasks.

Intel Core i7-860: The Core i7-860, a quad-core with Hyper-Threading from 2009, scores 882 on average, 0.2% higher than the PRO A12-8870E. The i7-860's eight threads give it a theoretical advantage in multithreaded scenarios, but its older architecture and lower memory bandwidth (DDR3) bring it close to parity. The PRO A12-8870E's DDR4 support and higher boost clock (3.70 GHz vs. the i7-860's unspecified clocks) help close the gap.

Intel Pentium G4560T: The Pentium G4560T, a dual-core with Hyper-Threading from 2017, also scores 882, leading the PRO A12-8870E by 0.3%. The Pentium's newer Kaby Lake architecture delivers superior single-core performance, which is evident in the Cinebench R23 single-core comparison (the PRO A12-8870E scores 361, while the Pentium's score is not listed but its average is higher). However, the PRO A12-8870E's four physical cores provide more consistent multi-threaded throughput, keeping the overall average nearly identical.

Intel Core i3-5157U: The Core i3-5157U, a low-power dual-core with Hyper-Threading from 2015, scores 877 on average, which the PRO A12-8870E leads by 0.4%. This is the only rival that the PRO A12-8870E beats in average benchmark score. The i3-5157U is a mobile-oriented chip with a 28 W TDP, and its dual cores are outmatched by the PRO A12-8870E's four cores in multithreaded workloads, despite the i3's higher single-core frequency. The PRO A12-8870E's 35 W TDP and desktop design give it a slight overall advantage.