A10-9700E vs Core i7-6500U

A10-9700E vs Core i7-6500U Performance Spectrum

A10-9700E

4 / 4

3,250

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i7-6500U

2 / 4

3,271

+0.6%

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.

A10-9700E vs Core i7-6500U 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.

A10-9700E vs Core i7-6500U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A10-9700E

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.1% 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 i7-6500U needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-6500U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,250 vs 3,271).
❌133.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 15W.

Core i7-6500U

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 35W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-6500U better than A10-9700E?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A10-9700E is ahead with a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6500U pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6500U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i7-6500U still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-6500U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark.

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

A10-9700E 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.

A10-9700E vs Core i7-6500U Technical Specifications

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

A10-9700E

The A10-9700E is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. 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: 3,250 points. Launch price was $130.

Core i7-6500U

The Core i7-6500U 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 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: 3,271 points. Launch price was $393.

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Processing Power

The A10-9700E packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-6500U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A10-9700E has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the A10-9700E versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i7-6500U — a 12.1% clock advantage for the A10-9700E (base: 3 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The A10-9700E uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i7-6500U uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A10-9700E scores 3,250 against the Core i7-6500U's 3,271 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i7-6500U. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A10-9700E vs 4 MB on the Core i7-6500U.

Feature	A10-9700E	Core i7-6500U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+13%	3.1 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+20%	2.5 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	3,250	3,271
Geekbench 6 Single	600	—

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Memory & Platform

The A10-9700E uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-6500U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A10-9700E	Core i7-6500U
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 (A10-9700E) / not specified (Core i7-6500U). The A10-9700E includes integrated graphics (Radeon R7), while the Core i7-6500U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A10-9700E targets Low Power. Direct competitor: A10-9700E rivals Pentium G4560T.