Core i7-5600U vs PRO A12-8870E

Core i7-5600U vs PRO A12-8870E Performance Spectrum

Core i7-5600U

2 / 4

3,011

0.0%

3,010

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 1950

Ryzen AI Max 390

Ryzen 9 9955HX3D

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 i7-5600U 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.

Core i7-5600U 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.

Core i7-5600U

2015

Why buy it

✅+0% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.

PRO A12-8870E

2016

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,010 vs 3,011).

Quick Answers

So, is PRO A12-8870E better than Core i7-5600U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, PRO A12-8870E is ahead with a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-5600U pulls ahead with 0% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-5600U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

PRO A12-8870E still makes the most sense overall. PRO A12-8870E comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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.

Core i7-5600U vs PRO A12-8870E Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-5600U

The Core i7-5600U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,011 points. Launch price was $393.

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.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-5600U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the PRO A12-8870E offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the PRO A12-8870E has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i7-5600U versus 3.8 GHz on the PRO A12-8870E — a 17.1% clock advantage for the PRO A12-8870E (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i7-5600U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the PRO A12-8870E uses Carrizo (2015−2018) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-5600U scores 3,011 against the PRO A12-8870E's 3,010 — a 0% lead for the Core i7-5600U.

Feature	Core i7-5600U	PRO A12-8870E
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.8 GHz+19%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	2.9 GHz+12%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	2048 kB+700%
Process	14 nm-50%	28 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Carrizo (2015−2018)
PassMark	3,011	3,010

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-5600U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the PRO A12-8870E uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.