A12-9700P vs Core i3-3245

A12-9700P vs Core i3-3245 Performance Spectrum

A12-9700P

4 / 4

2,415

+0.1%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-3245

2 / 4

2,412

0.0%

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.

A12-9700P vs Core i3-3245 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.

A12-9700P vs Core i3-3245: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A12-9700P

2016

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 55W, a 53W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i3-3245

2013

Why buy it

✅100% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,412 vs 2,415).
❌Launch MSRP is still $120 MSRP, while A12-9700P mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌2650% higher power demand at 55W vs 2W.

Quick Answers

So, is A12-9700P better than Core i3-3245?

Yes. A12-9700P is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.3% 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, A12-9700P is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.3% 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, A12-9700P 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?

A12-9700P is still the much better call for a fresh build. A12-9700P comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $120 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-3245 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2013 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (20.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

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

A12-9700P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2013) 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.

A12-9700P vs Core i3-3245 Technical Specifications

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

A12-9700P

The A12-9700P 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FP4. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,415 points. Launch price was $130.

Core i3-3245

The Core i3-3245 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2013 (12 years ago). It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency: 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,412 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The A12-9700P packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-3245 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A12-9700P has 2 more cores. The A12-9700P is built on the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. In PassMark, the A12-9700P scores 2,415 against the Core i3-3245's 2,412 — a 0.1% lead for the A12-9700P.

Feature	A12-9700P	Core i3-3245
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	—
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.4 GHz+36%
L3 Cache	—	3 MB Intel® Smart Cache
L2 Cache	2048 kB	—
Process	28 nm	22 nm-21%
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	—
PassMark	2,415	2,412
Geekbench 6 Single	481	—

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Memory & Platform

The A12-9700P uses the FP4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-3245 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-1866 on the A12-9700P versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-3245 — the A12-9700P supports 16.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-3245 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (A12-9700P) vs 16 (Core i3-3245) — the Core i3-3245 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	A12-9700P	Core i3-3245
Socket	FP4	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-1866+17%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	32 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	16+100%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A12-9700P) vs VT-x (Core i3-3245). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon R7 (A12-9700P) and HD Graphics 4000 (Core i3-3245) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A12-9700P targets Laptop, Core i3-3245 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: A12-9700P rivals Core i5-6200U.