Athlon X4 830 vs PRO A12-8870E

AMD

Athlon X4 830

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2015
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

PRO A12-8870E

4 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2016
Similar parts
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Athlon X4 830 vs PRO A12-8870E Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Athlon X4 830 vs PRO A12-8870E FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Athlon X4 830 vs PRO A12-8870E: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Athlon X4 830

2015

Why buy it

  • +0.3% higher PassMark.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $70 MSRP, while PRO A12-8870E mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

PRO A12-8870E

2016

Why buy it

  • Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (3,010 vs 3,018).

Quick Answers

So, is PRO A12-8870E better than Athlon X4 830?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, PRO A12-8870E is ahead with a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Athlon X4 830 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon X4 830 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
PRO A12-8870E is still the much better call for a fresh build. PRO A12-8870E comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $70 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Athlon X4 830 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (43.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on FM2+.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
PRO A12-8870E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon X4 830 vs PRO A12-8870E Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

AMD

Athlon X4 830

The Athlon X4 830 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 3,018 points. Launch price was $149.

AMD

PRO A12-8870E

The PRO A12-8870E is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Outubro 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Carrizo (2015−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,010 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

Both the Athlon X4 830 and PRO A12-8870E share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Athlon X4 830 versus 3.8 GHz on the PRO A12-8870E — a 11.1% clock advantage for the PRO A12-8870E (base: 3 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Athlon X4 830 uses the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture (28 nm), while the PRO A12-8870E uses Carrizo (2015−2018) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X4 830 scores 3,018 against the PRO A12-8870E's 3,010 — a 0.3% lead for the Athlon X4 830.

FeatureAthlon X4 830PRO A12-8870E
Cores / Threads
4 / 4
4 / 4
Boost Clock
3.4 GHz
3.8 GHz+12%
Base Clock
3 GHz+3%
2.9 GHz
L2 Cache
4 MB+100%
2048 kB
Process
28 nm
28 nm
Architecture
Kaveri (2014−2015)
Carrizo (2015−2018)
PassMark
3,018
3,010
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Memory & Platform

The Athlon X4 830 uses the FM2+ socket (PCIe 3.0), while the PRO A12-8870E uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureAthlon X4 830PRO A12-8870E
Socket
FM2+
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-2133
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
16