A12-9800 vs Core i7-2710QE

CPU

GPU

A12-9800

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2017

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Core i7-2710QE

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 3 GHz2011

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A12-9800 vs Core i7-2710QE Performance Spectrum

A12-9800

4 / 4

3,695

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i7-2710QE

4 / 8

3,749

+1.5%

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.

A12-9800 vs Core i7-2710QE 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.

A12-9800 vs Core i7-2710QE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A12-9800

2017

Why buy it

✅+5.1% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-2710QE.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,695 vs 3,749).
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Core i7-2710QE

2011

Why buy it

✅+1.5% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
✅150% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (604 vs 635).
❌Launch MSRP is still $378 MSRP, while A12-9800 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A12-9800.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-2710QE better than A12-9800?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A12-9800 is ahead with a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-2710QE pulls ahead with 1.5% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-2710QE is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-2710QE is the better buy right now. Core i7-2710QE comes in at an unclear MSRP at $378 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that A12-9800 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (9.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, A12-9800 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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

A12-9800 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A12-9800 vs Core i7-2710QE Technical Specifications

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

A12-9800

The A12-9800 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 27 July 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,695 points. Launch price was $139.

Core i7-2710QE

The Core i7-2710QE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,749 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

The A12-9800 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-2710QE's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the A12-9800 versus 3 GHz on the Core i7-2710QE — a 33.3% clock advantage for the A12-9800 (base: 3.8 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The A12-9800 uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i7-2710QE uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the A12-9800 scores 3,695 against the Core i7-2710QE's 3,749 — a 1.5% lead for the Core i7-2710QE. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 635 vs 604, a 5% lead for the A12-9800 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A12-9800 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-2710QE.

Feature	A12-9800	Core i7-2710QE
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+40%	3 GHz
Base Clock	3.8 GHz+81%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2048 kB+700%	256K (per core)
Process	28 nm-13%	32 nm
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	3,695	3,749+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	635+5%	604

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Memory & Platform

The A12-9800 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-2710QE uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the A12-9800 versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-2710QE — the A12-9800 supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The A12-9800 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 (A12-9800) vs 20 (Core i7-2710QE) — the Core i7-2710QE offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A320,B350,X370 (A12-9800) and HM65,QM67 (Core i7-2710QE).

Feature	A12-9800	Core i7-2710QE
Socket	AM4	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+50%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+300%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	20+150%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A12-9800) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-2710QE). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon R7 (A12-9800) and HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2710QE) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A12-9800 targets Budget, Core i7-2710QE targets Embedded/Industrial. Direct competitor: A12-9800 rivals Pentium G4600; Core i7-2710QE rivals Embedded R-Series.