AMD PRO A6-8570

The AMD PRO A6-8570 is a desktop processor built on the 28 nm Excavator architecture, also known by the codename Carrizo. It offers two cores with two threads, a base clock of 3.50 GHz, and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, positioning it as a low-end entry point in the AMD Socket AM4 ecosystem.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data places the AMD PRO A6-8570 firmly in the entry-level segment. Its average benchmark score of 560 sits at the 12th percentile of all CPUs, meaning it outperforms only a small fraction of the processor market. In Cinebench R23, the processor scores 1628 points in the multi-core test and 229 points in the single-core test. These scores are modest, reflecting the dual-core, dual-thread design without simultaneous multithreading.

The multi-core results across different Cinebench versions show consistent scaling. The Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 163 and the Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 683 both indicate that the processor handles threaded workloads at a basic level. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 1628 continues this trend, suggesting that the processor's performance does not degrade disproportionately as the workload complexity increases across benchmark revisions. The single-core scores, however, tell a more limited story, with the Cinebench R20 single-core score of 96 and the Cinebench R23 single-core score of 229 demonstrating that the processor's per-thread capability is its primary constraint.

When comparing the average benchmark score to its nearest rivals, the data shows remarkable proximity. The AMD PRO A6-8570 is only 0.1% ahead of the Intel Core i5-560M, which scores 559. It is 0.1% behind the AMD Opteron 3320 EE and 0.2% behind the Intel Core i3-4158U, both of which score 561. The processor is 0.5% ahead of the Intel Atom x5-E3940, which scores 557. These sub-one-percent differences mean that in practical terms, the AMD PRO A6-8570 performs nearly identically to these four rivals, making the choice between them largely irrelevant from a raw performance standpoint.

How It Compares

Against the Intel Core i5-560M, the AMD PRO A6-8570 holds a razor-thin 0.1% lead in average benchmark score. This is notable because the Core i5-560M is a mobile processor from an older generation, yet it still trades blows with the AMD part. The data implies that the PRO A6-8570's modern architecture does not translate into a tangible performance advantage over this aging Intel competitor.

The AMD Opteron 3320 EE is the closest rival, with the PRO A6-8570 trailing by just 0.1%. The Opteron 3320 EE is a server-oriented chip, and its presence in the same performance tier as a desktop APU suggests that the PRO A6-8570's compute capabilities are aligned with low-power server workloads. The near-identical scores indicate that neither processor has a meaningful edge in the aggregate.

The Intel Core i3-4158U sits 0.2% ahead of the AMD PRO A6-8570. This is a dual-core Intel part with Hyper-Threading, yet the PRO A6-8570's dual-core, dual-thread design manages to stay within striking distance. The data suggests that the AMD processor's higher clock speeds help offset the lack of additional threads, resulting in a statistical tie.

The Intel Atom x5-E3940 is the only rival that the PRO A6-8570 clearly beats, and even then by just 0.5%. The Atom x5-E3940 is a quad-core, low-power SoC, and its 557 average score places it slightly below the AMD part. This margin is small enough to be considered negligible, but it does show that the PRO A6-8570 can outpace a competing low-power design in aggregate performance.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The split between single-thread and multi-thread performance reveals a processor that is heavily reliant on its clock speed rather than its core count. In Cinebench R23, the single-core score of 229 is approximately 14% of the multi-core score of 1628. This ratio is expected for a dual-core processor, as the multi-core score is roughly double the single-core score when scaling is perfect. The data shows that the PRO A6-8570 achieves near-linear scaling, which is a positive sign for workloads that can utilize both cores effectively.

However, the single-core score itself is low in absolute terms. A score of 229 in Cinebench R23 single-core indicates that the processor's Excavator architecture, despite its 3.80 GHz boost clock, delivers limited per-thread performance. This is a consequence of the architecture's design, which prioritizes power efficiency over raw throughput. For real-world applications, this means that lightly threaded tasks such as basic web browsing or document editing will feel sluggish compared to modern processors, but the multi-core scaling ensures that tasks like video encoding or rendering, which use both cores, will see a proportionate benefit.

The Cinebench R20 results mirror this behavior, with a single-core score of 96 against a multi-core score of 683. The ratio here is approximately 14%, consistent with the R23 results. This consistency across benchmark versions confirms that the processor's performance profile is stable and predictable, with no unexpected bottlenecks or thermal throttling affecting the results.

FAQ

Q: How does the AMD PRO A6-8570 compare to the Intel Core i5-560M in average benchmark score?

A: The AMD PRO A6-8570 is 0.1% ahead of the Intel Core i5-560M, with the AMD part scoring 560 against the Intel part's 559.

Q: What is the processor's percentile ranking among all CPUs?

A: The AMD PRO A6-8570 sits at the 12th percentile of all CPUs, indicating it outperforms only a small fraction of the market.

Q: What are the multi-core and single-core scores in Cinebench R23?

A: The multi-core score is 1628, and the single-core score is 229 in Cinebench R23.

Q: Does the processor support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported by the AMD PRO A6-8570.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the AMD PRO A6-8570?

A: The memory bandwidth is 34.1 GB/s, utilizing a dual-channel DDR3 memory bus.

Q: Which rival is closest in performance to the AMD PRO A6-8570?

A: The AMD Opteron 3320 EE is the closest rival, with the PRO A6-8570 trailing by 0.1% in average benchmark score.

Power and Thermals

The AMD PRO A6-8570 has a TDP of 65 watts, which classifies it as a standard-power desktop processor. This TDP level is typical for entry-level desktop parts and implies that a capable air cooler is sufficient for thermal management. The 28 nm process node from GlobalFoundries, with 3,100 million transistors on a 250 mm² die, contributes to this power envelope. The architecture's design, based on Excavator cores, is known for its power efficiency, and the 65-watt TDP reflects a balance between performance and heat output.

For system builders, the 65-watt TDP means that cooling solutions do not need to be elaborate. A stock cooler or a basic aftermarket air cooler will handle the thermal load without issue. The data does not indicate any thermal throttling concerns, as the benchmark scores remain consistent across different Cinebench versions, suggesting that the processor maintains its clock speeds under sustained load. The absence of an unlocked multiplier also means that overclocking is not a consideration, keeping power draw and thermals within the specified design limits.

Platform and Compatibility

The AMD PRO A6-8570 uses the AMD Socket AM4 platform, which provides a degree of future-proofing for system upgrades. The processor supports DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. Notably, it does not support ECC memory, which limits its appeal for server or workstation builds that require error-correcting memory. The PCIe Gen 3 support ensures compatibility with modern graphics cards and NVMe storage, although the processor's low compute performance may bottleneck high-end components.

The integrated graphics are the Radeon R5, which provides basic display output capabilities without the need for a discrete GPU. The production status is listed as Active, meaning the processor is still in production and available for purchase. The part number is AD857BAGM23AB, and the generation is identified as A6 (Carrizo). The upgrade path on the AM4 socket is a key consideration, as users can move to higher-performing processors within the same platform, though the DDR3 memory support may require a motherboard change for newer AM4 parts that use DDR4.

Who Should Consider It

The AMD PRO A6-8570 is best suited for users with basic computing needs that do not require high thread counts or strong single-core performance. The benchmark data shows that it sits at the 12th percentile, meaning it is near the bottom of the performance spectrum. For office workloads such as word processing, spreadsheets, and email, the dual-core design with a 3.80 GHz boost clock is adequate, though the low single-core scores in Cinebench R23 (229) suggest that responsiveness may not be snappy for more demanding applications.

For gaming, the processor is not a recommended choice. The integrated Radeon R5 graphics are basic, and the compute scores are too low to drive modern games at acceptable frame rates. The multi-core scores of 1628 in Cinebench R23 indicate that even older titles may struggle if they require more than two cores. However, for light gaming or esports titles that are not CPU-intensive, the processor could serve as a stopgap solution.

Content creation is a mixed proposition. The multi-core scaling is near-linear, so tasks like video encoding or photo editing that use both cores will see a benefit. The Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 163 and R20 score of 683 show that the processor can handle basic rendering workloads, but the absolute performance is low. Users who are considering this processor for creation work should look at the nearest rivals, which all perform within 0.5% of the PRO A6-8570, indicating that no meaningful performance difference exists among them. For anyone requiring more than entry-level performance, the data points to the need for a higher-tier processor on the AM4 platform.