A12-9700P vs Core m3-7Y30

A12-9700P vs Core m3-7Y30 Performance Spectrum

A12-9700P

4 / 4

2,415

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core m3-7Y30

2 / 4

2,418

+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.

A12-9700P vs Core m3-7Y30 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 m3-7Y30: 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: +3.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 2W instead of 5W, a 3W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,415 vs 2,418).

Core m3-7Y30

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A12-9700P across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $281 MSRP, while A12-9700P mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌125% higher power demand at 4.5W vs 2W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core m3-7Y30 better than A12-9700P?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A12-9700P is ahead with a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core m3-7Y30 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 m3-7Y30 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?

Core m3-7Y30 is the better buy right now. Core m3-7Y30 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $281 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that A12-9700P is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (8.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core m3-7Y30 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

A12-9700P vs Core m3-7Y30 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 m3-7Y30

The Core m3-7Y30 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,418 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

The A12-9700P packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core m3-7Y30 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A12-9700P has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the A12-9700P versus 2.6 GHz on the Core m3-7Y30 — a 26.7% clock advantage for the A12-9700P (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1 GHz). The A12-9700P uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core m3-7Y30 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A12-9700P scores 2,415 against the Core m3-7Y30's 2,418 — a 0.1% lead for the Core m3-7Y30. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 481 vs 768, a 46% lead for the Core m3-7Y30 that directly translates to higher frame rates.

Feature	A12-9700P	Core m3-7Y30
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+31%	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+150%	1 GHz
L3 Cache	—	4 MB
L2 Cache	2048 kB+300%	512 kB
Process	28 nm	14 nm-50%
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	2,415	2,418
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	645
Geekbench 6 Single	481	768+60%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,481

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Memory & Platform

The A12-9700P uses the FP4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core m3-7Y30 uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-1866 memory speed. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (A12-9700P) vs 10 (Core m3-7Y30) — the Core m3-7Y30 offers 2 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	A12-9700P	Core m3-7Y30
Socket	FP4	FCBGA1515
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-1866	LPDDR3-1866 / DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	10+25%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A12-9700P) vs VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Core m3-7Y30). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon R7 (A12-9700P) and Intel HD Graphics 615 (Core m3-7Y30) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A12-9700P targets Laptop, Core m3-7Y30 targets Ultra-portable. Direct competitor: A12-9700P rivals Core i5-6200U.