A12-9800 vs Core i7-7600U

A12-9800 vs Core i7-7600U Performance Spectrum

A12-9800

4 / 4

3,695

+0.2%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i7-7600U

2 / 4

3,687

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.

A12-9800 vs Core i7-7600U 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 i7-7600U: 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

✅Better for gaming: +8.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon R7, while Core i7-7600U needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-7600U.

Trade-offs

❌333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.

Core i7-7600U

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A12-9800 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,687 vs 3,695).
❌No integrated graphics, while A12-9800 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A12-9800.

Quick Answers

So, is A12-9800 better than Core i7-7600U?

Yes. A12-9800 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.2% 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, A12-9800 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.9% 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, A12-9800 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

A12-9800 still makes the most sense overall. A12-9800 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

A12-9800 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 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.

A12-9800 vs Core i7-7600U 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 i7-7600U

The Core i7-7600U 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. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,687 points. Launch price was $393.

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Processing Power

The A12-9800 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-7600U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A12-9800 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the A12-9800 versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-7600U — a 7.4% clock advantage for the A12-9800 (base: 3.8 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The A12-9800 uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i7-7600U uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A12-9800 scores 3,695 against the Core i7-7600U's 3,687 — a 0.2% lead for the A12-9800. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A12-9800 vs 4 MB on the Core i7-7600U.

Feature	A12-9800	Core i7-7600U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+8%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.8 GHz+36%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	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	3,695	3,687
Geekbench 6 Single	635	—

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Memory & Platform

The A12-9800 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-7600U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A12-9800	Core i7-7600U
Socket	AM4	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	8	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (A12-9800) / not specified (Core i7-7600U). The A12-9800 includes integrated graphics (Radeon R7), while the Core i7-7600U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A12-9800 targets Budget. Direct competitor: A12-9800 rivals Pentium G4600.