A12-9720P vs Core i3-7102E

CPU

GPU

A12-9720P

4 Cores4 Thrd2 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2016

Similar parts

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Core i3-7102E

2 Cores4 Thrd25 WWMax: 2.1 GHz2017

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A12-9720P vs Core i3-7102E Performance Spectrum

A12-9720P

4 / 4

2,622

+0.9%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-7102E

2 / 4

2,599

0.0%

Celeron J4025

Core 2 Duo T5750

Pentium Dual Core T3400

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.

A12-9720P vs Core i3-7102E 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.

A12-9720P vs Core i3-7102E: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A12-9720P

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $25 less on MSRP ($200 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Delivers 13.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 13.1 vs 11.6 PassMark/$ ($200 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Draws 2W instead of 25W, a 23W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Core i3-7102E

2017

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A12-9720P across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,599 vs 2,622).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.6 vs 13.1 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
❌1150% higher power demand at 25W vs 2W.

Quick Answers

So, is A12-9720P better than Core i3-7102E?

Yes. A12-9720P is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.9% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, A12-9720P is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.6% 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, A12-9720P is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

A12-9720P is the better buy right now. A12-9720P comes in $25 cheaper on MSRP at $200 MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 13.5% better value on MSRP (13.1 vs 11.6 PassMark/$), 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 i3-7102E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2016). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A12-9720P vs Core i3-7102E Technical Specifications

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

A12-9720P

The A12-9720P 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 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FP4. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,622 points. Launch price was $130.

Core i3-7102E

The Core i3-7102E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,599 points. Launch price was $225.

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Processing Power

The A12-9720P packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-7102E offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A12-9720P has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the A12-9720P versus 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-7102E — a 52.6% clock advantage for the A12-9720P. The A12-9720P uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i3-7102E uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A12-9720P scores 2,622 against the Core i3-7102E's 2,599 — a 0.9% lead for the A12-9720P. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 529 vs 1,962, a 115.1% lead for the Core i3-7102E that directly translates to higher frame rates.

Feature	A12-9720P	Core i3-7102E
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+71%	2.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	—
L3 Cache	—	3 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB+300%	512 kB
Process	28 nm	14 nm-50%
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	2,622	2,599
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	659
Geekbench 6 Single	529	1,962+271%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,898

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Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-1866 on the A12-9720P versus DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-7102E — the Core i3-7102E supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-7102E supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (A12-9720P) vs 16 (Core i3-7102E) — the Core i3-7102E offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	A12-9720P	Core i3-7102E
Socket	FP4	—
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-1866	DDR4-2400+29%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	64 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	8	16+100%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: AMD-V (A12-9720P) vs Yes (Core i3-7102E). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon R7 (A12-9720P) and Intel HD Graphics 630 (Core i3-7102E) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A12-9720P targets Laptop. Direct competitor: A12-9720P rivals Core i5-7200U.

Feature	A12-9720P	Core i3-7102E
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Radeon R7	Intel HD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	Yes
Target Use	Laptop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the A12-9720P was priced at $200, while the Core i3-7102E came in at $225. On launch pricing ($200 vs $225), A12-9720P was $25 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the A12-9720P delivers 13.1 pts/$ vs 11.6 pts/$ for the Core i3-7102E — making the A12-9720P the 12.6% better value option.

Feature	A12-9720P	Core i3-7102E
MSRP	$200-11%	$225
Performance per Dollar	13.1+13%	11.6
Release Date	2016	2017

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