A12-9720P vs Core i7-3687U

A12-9720P vs Core i7-3687U Performance Spectrum

A12-9720P

4 / 4

2,622

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i7-3687U

2 / 4

2,621

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.

A12-9720P vs Core i7-3687U 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 i7-3687U: 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

✅+0% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 2W instead of 512W, a 510W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (529 vs 640).
❌Launch MSRP is still $200 MSRP, while Core i7-3687U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i7-3687U

2013

Why buy it

✅+21% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅100% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,621 vs 2,622).
❌25500% higher power demand at 512W vs 2W.

Quick Answers

So, is A12-9720P better than Core i7-3687U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-3687U is ahead with a 2.5% average FPS lead across 11 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, A12-9720P pulls ahead with 0% better PassMark.

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% 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 at an unclear MSRP at $200 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-3687U is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.5% average FPS lead across 11 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (13.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

A12-9720P 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.

A12-9720P vs Core i7-3687U 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 i7-3687U

The Core i7-3687U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,621 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The A12-9720P packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-3687U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A12-9720P has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the A12-9720P versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-3687U — a 8.7% clock advantage for the A12-9720P (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The A12-9720P uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i7-3687U uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the A12-9720P scores 2,622 against the Core i7-3687U's 2,621 — a 0% lead for the A12-9720P. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 529 vs 640, a 19% lead for the Core i7-3687U that directly translates to higher frame rates.

Feature	A12-9720P	Core i7-3687U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+9%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+29%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	—	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB	256K (per core)+12700%
Process	28 nm	22 nm-21%
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,622	2,621
Geekbench 6 Single	529	640+21%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,240

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Memory & Platform

The A12-9720P uses the FP4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3687U uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-1866 on the A12-9720P versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i7-3687U — the A12-9720P supports 16.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-3687U 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 (A12-9720P) vs 16 (Core i7-3687U) — the Core i7-3687U offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	A12-9720P	Core i7-3687U
Socket	FP4	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-1866+17%	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	32 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	16+100%

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A12-9720P) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-3687U). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon R7 (A12-9720P) and HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3687U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A12-9720P targets Laptop, Core i7-3687U targets Enthusiast. Direct competitor: A12-9720P rivals Core i5-7200U; Core i7-3687U rivals Ryzen 7 3700U.