Core i5-6287U vs PRO A12-8870

Core i5-6287U vs PRO A12-8870 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-6287U

2 / 4

3,801

0.0%

3,805

+0.1%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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.

Core i5-6287U vs PRO A12-8870 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.

Core i5-6287U vs PRO A12-8870: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-6287U

2015

Why buy it

✅Draws 28W instead of 65W, a 37W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Graphics 550, while PRO A12-8870 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than PRO A12-8870 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,801 vs 3,805).

PRO A12-8870

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌132.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 28W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-6287U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is PRO A12-8870 better than Core i5-6287U?

Yes. PRO A12-8870 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 11.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, PRO A12-8870 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 11.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, PRO A12-8870 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

PRO A12-8870 still makes the most sense overall. PRO A12-8870 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

PRO A12-8870 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2015) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-6287U vs PRO A12-8870 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-6287U

The Core i5-6287U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,801 points. Launch price was $304.

PRO A12-8870

The PRO A12-8870 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 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,805 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-6287U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the PRO A12-8870 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the PRO A12-8870 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-6287U versus 4.2 GHz on the PRO A12-8870 — a 18.2% clock advantage for the PRO A12-8870 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i5-6287U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the PRO A12-8870 uses Carrizo (2015−2018) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6287U scores 3,801 against the PRO A12-8870's 3,805 — a 0.1% lead for the PRO A12-8870.

Feature	Core i5-6287U	PRO A12-8870
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	4.2 GHz+20%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	3.7 GHz+19%
L3 Cache	4 MB	—
L2 Cache	512 kB	2048 kB+300%
Process	14 nm-50%	28 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Carrizo (2015−2018)
PassMark	3,801	3,805
Geekbench 6 Single	816	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-6287U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the PRO A12-8870 uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-6287U	PRO A12-8870
Socket	BGA1356	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6287U) / not specified (PRO A12-8870). The Core i5-6287U includes integrated graphics (Iris Graphics 550), while the PRO A12-8870 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6287U targets High Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-6287U rivals FX-9800P.