A12-9700P vs Core i7-3517UE

A12-9700P vs Core i7-3517UE Performance Spectrum

A12-9700P

4 / 4

2,415

+1.3%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i7-3517UE

2 / 4

2,384

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 i7-3517UE 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 i7-3517UE: 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

✅Better for gaming: +4.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 2W instead of 17W, a 15W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon R7, while Core i7-3517UE needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

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

Core i7-3517UE

2012

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A12-9700P across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,384 vs 2,415).
❌Launch MSRP is still $330 MSRP, while A12-9700P mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌750% higher power demand at 17W vs 2W.
❌No integrated graphics, while A12-9700P can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is A12-9700P better than Core i7-3517UE?

Yes. A12-9700P is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.3% 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 4.3% 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 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

A12-9700P is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. A12-9700P comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $330 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-3517UE only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 4.3% in the shared gaming data.

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 2012) 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 i7-3517UE 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 i7-3517UE

The Core i7-3517UE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 2,384 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The A12-9700P packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-3517UE offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A12-9700P has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the A12-9700P versus 2.8 GHz on the Core i7-3517UE — a 19.4% clock advantage for the A12-9700P (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The A12-9700P uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i7-3517UE uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the A12-9700P scores 2,415 against the Core i7-3517UE's 2,384 — a 1.3% lead for the A12-9700P.

Feature	A12-9700P	Core i7-3517UE
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+21%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+47%	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	—	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2048 kB+700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	28 nm	22 nm-21%
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,415+1%	2,384
Geekbench 6 Single	481	—

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Memory & Platform

The A12-9700P uses the FP4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3517UE uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A12-9700P	Core i7-3517UE
Socket	FP4	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-1866	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	8	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (A12-9700P) / not specified (Core i7-3517UE). The A12-9700P includes integrated graphics (Radeon R7), while the Core i7-3517UE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A12-9700P targets Laptop. Direct competitor: A12-9700P rivals Core i5-6200U.