AMD PRO A12-8870

AMD PRO A12-8870: Review and Analysis of the Obsolete APU in 2025

(Relevant as of April 2025)

Key Features: Carrizo Architecture and Its Distinctions

The AMD PRO A12-8870 processor, released in 2016 on the Carrizo architecture, was positioned as an APU (Accelerated Processing Unit) — a hybrid of CPU and GPU. Despite its age, in 2025, it can still be found in budget builds or on the second-hand market.

Technical Details:

- Manufacturing Process: 28 nm (outdated even for 2025).

- Cores/Threads: 4/4 (basic multithreading without hyper-threading).

- TDP: 65 W (moderate power consumption).

- Integrated Graphics: Radeon R7 (384 stream processors, 800 MHz).

- Performance:

- Geekbench 6 Single Core: 667;

- Geekbench 6 Multi Core: 1570.

Key Features:

- Support for virtualization technologies (AMD-V) and hardware protection (ARM TrustZone).

- Energy efficiency for moderate-load tasks (e.g., office applications).

- Built-in GPU capable of running lightweight games like CS:GO or Dota 2 at low settings (720p, ~30-40 FPS).

Compatible Motherboards: Socket FM2+ and Its Limitations

The A12-8870 uses the outdated FM2+ socket, making it challenging to find new components.

Chipsets:

- A68H, A78, A88X — basic chipsets with support for USB 3.0 and SATA III.

- Examples of Boards: ASUS A68HM-K, Gigabyte GA-F2A88XM-D3H (prices for remaining units — $40-70).

Selection Features:

- No support for NVMe or PCIe 4.0 — only SATA SSD and HDD.

- Limited upgrade potential: socket FM2+ is not compatible with modern AMD processors (AM4/AM5).

- Advice: Buy these boards only for restoring old PCs or ultra-budget builds.

Supported Memory: Only DDR3

The Carrizo APU works exclusively with DDR3-2133 MHz, which is considered an archaic standard in 2025.

Nuances:

- Maximum capacity: up to 64 GB (though in practice, FM2+ boards rarely support more than 32 GB).

- Memory bandwidth affects the performance of the integrated graphics: DDR3 limits FPS in games.

- Example: Upgrading from DDR3-1600 to DDR3-2133 can provide a 10-15% boost in GTA V at low settings.

Power Supply Recommendations

With a TDP of 65 W, the A12-8870 does not require a powerful PSU, but it's important to consider other components:

- Without a discrete graphics card: A PSU of 300-400 W is sufficient (e.g., be quiet! System Power 10 400W — $45).

- With entry-level GPU (e.g., GTX 1650): A PSU in the 450-500 W range (Corsair CX550 — $60).

- Advice: Do not skimp on the PSU for old systems — low-quality models can damage components.

Pros and Cons of the AMD PRO A12-8870

Pros:

1. Price: New units (if available) — $50-60, which is cheaper than modern Celerons.

2. Energy Efficiency: Suitable for mini-PCs or HTPCs.

3. Integrated Graphics: A replacement for office PCs without a graphics card.

Cons:

1. Outdated Manufacturing Process: 28 nm vs. 7 nm in Ryzen 5 5500.

2. No support for DDR4/DDR5 — a bottleneck for performance.

3. Weak IPC (Instructions Per Cycle): 30-40% lag behind Intel's 6th generation.

Use Cases: Why is A12-8870 Relevant in 2025?

1. Office Tasks: Working with browsers, Word, Excel.

2. Multimedia: Watching videos in 1080p, streaming (but not encoding).

3. Light Gaming: Minecraft, Terraria, older AAA titles (up to 2015).

4. Entry-Level Servers: NAS or home media servers (thanks to low TDP).

Practical Example: A user built an HTPC on A12-8870 + 8 GB DDR3 + 240 GB SSD for a cinema setup based on Kodi. The total cost of the build was $150.

Comparison with Competitors

1. Intel Core i5-6500 (2015):

- Single Core: 1100 (Geekbench 6), Multi Core: 2400.

- Pros: Better single-threaded performance.

- Cons: No integrated graphics (unless you opt for models with HD 530).

2. AMD Athlon X4 880K (2016):

- Single Core: 580, Multi Core: 1450.

- Pros: Cheaper (~$30), but lacks integrated GPU.

Conclusion: The A12-8870 is only advantageous if an APU is needed. Otherwise, it is morally outdated.

Practical Assembly Tips

1. Use an SSD: Even a SATA SSD (e.g., Kingston A400) will speed up the system 3-4 times.

2. Do not install powerful graphics cards: A GTX 1650 is the maximum (the processor will become a bottleneck).

3. Update BIOS: Some FM2+ boards only gained support for Carrizo after an update.

4. Avoid upgrades: Socket FM2+ is a dead-end. It's better to build a PC based on AM4 (Ryzen 3 4100 — $80).

Final Verdict: Who Should Consider the A12-8870?

This processor should only be considered if:

- An ultra-budget PC for office work or browsing is needed ($100-150).

- There is a need to restore an old computer without replacing the motherboard.

- A media center or backup system is being created.

Alternative for 2025: The new AMD Ryzen 3 7300U (4 cores/8 threads, 6 nm, DDR5) — $120, but it requires a modern platform.

In 2025, the AMD PRO A12-8870 is a relic of the past, but it can still be useful for niche tasks. The key is not to overestimate its capabilities and not to invest significant funds into it.