A12-9800E vs Atom Z3740

A12-9800E vs Atom Z3740 Performance Spectrum

A12-9800E

4 / 4

3,416

+1.1%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Atom Z3740

4 / 4

3,380

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.

A12-9800E vs Atom Z3740 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.

A12-9800E vs Atom Z3740: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A12-9800E

2017

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Atom Z3740.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $426 MSRP, while Atom Z3740 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1650% higher power demand at 35W vs 2W.

Atom Z3740

2013

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 35W, a 33W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,380 vs 3,416).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A12-9800E.

Quick Answers

So, is A12-9800E better than Atom Z3740?

Yes. A12-9800E is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.1% 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, A12-9800E is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.3% 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, A12-9800E is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

A12-9800E is the better buy right now. A12-9800E comes in at an unclear MSRP at $426 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (8.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

A12-9800E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A12-9800E vs Atom Z3740 Technical Specifications

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

A12-9800E

The A12-9800E 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 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,416 points. Launch price was $105.

Atom Z3740

The Atom Z3740 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Bay Trail-T (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.33 GHz, with boost up to 1.86 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: UTFCBGA1380. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,380 points. Launch price was $32.

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Processing Power

Both the A12-9800E and Atom Z3740 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the A12-9800E versus 1.86 GHz on the Atom Z3740 — a 68.6% clock advantage for the A12-9800E (base: 3.1 GHz vs 1.33 GHz). The A12-9800E uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Atom Z3740 uses Bay Trail-T (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the A12-9800E scores 3,416 against the Atom Z3740's 3,380 — a 1.1% lead for the A12-9800E. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	A12-9800E	Atom Z3740
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+104%	1.86 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+133%	1.33 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	2048 kB+300%	512K (per core)
Process	28 nm	22 nm-21%
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Bay Trail-T (2013−2014)
PassMark	3,416+1%	3,380
Geekbench 6 Single	651	—

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Memory & Platform

The A12-9800E uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Atom Z3740 uses UTFCBGA1380 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the A12-9800E versus LPDDR3-1066 on the Atom Z3740 — the A12-9800E supports 125.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The A12-9800E supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 1500% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (A12-9800E) vs 0 (Atom Z3740) — the A12-9800E offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A320,B350,X370 (A12-9800E) and Intel FC-UTBGA592 (Atom Z3740).

Feature	A12-9800E	Atom Z3740
Socket	AM4	UTFCBGA1380
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+125%	LPDDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+1500%	4 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	0

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (A12-9800E) / not specified (Atom Z3740). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon R7 (A12-9800E) and Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail) (Atom Z3740) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A12-9800E targets Low Power. Direct competitor: A12-9800E rivals Pentium G4600T.