A10-9700 vs Core i7-6650U

A10-9700 vs Core i7-6650U Performance Spectrum

A10-9700

4 / 4

3,555

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i7-6650U

2 / 4

3,557

+0.1%

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.

A10-9700 vs Core i7-6650U 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.

A10-9700 vs Core i7-6650U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A10-9700

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon R7, while Core i7-6650U needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-6650U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,555 vs 3,557).
❌Launch MSRP is still $169 MSRP, while Core i7-6650U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.

Core i7-6650U

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A10-9700 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No integrated graphics, while A10-9700 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A10-9700.

Quick Answers

So, is A10-9700 better than Core i7-6650U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A10-9700 is ahead with a 9.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6650U pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6650U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

A10-9700 is the better buy right now. A10-9700 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $169 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-6650U is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.1% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (21.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

A10-9700 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A10-9700 vs Core i7-6650U Technical Specifications

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

A10-9700

The A10-9700 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 27 July 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. 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: 3,555 points. Launch price was $90.

Core i7-6650U

The Core i7-6650U 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 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,557 points. Launch price was $415.

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Processing Power

The A10-9700 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-6650U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A10-9700 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the A10-9700 versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-6650U — a 11.1% clock advantage for the A10-9700 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The A10-9700 uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i7-6650U uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A10-9700 scores 3,555 against the Core i7-6650U's 3,557 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-6650U. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A10-9700 vs 4 MB on the Core i7-6650U.

Feature	A10-9700	Core i7-6650U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+12%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+59%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	4 MB
L2 Cache	2048 kB+300%	512 kB
Process	28 nm	14 nm-50%
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	3,555	3,557
Geekbench 6 Single	642	—

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Memory & Platform

The A10-9700 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-6650U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A10-9700	Core i7-6650U
Socket	AM4	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	8	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (A10-9700) / not specified (Core i7-6650U). The A10-9700 includes integrated graphics (Radeon R7), while the Core i7-6650U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A10-9700 targets Budget. Direct competitor: A10-9700 rivals Pentium G4560.