A12-9800E vs Core i3-4150

CPU

GPU

A12-9800E

4 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2017

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Core i3-4150

2 Cores4 Thrd54 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2014

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A12-9800E vs Core i3-4150 Performance Spectrum

A12-9800E

4 / 4

3,416

+0.3%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-4150

2 / 4

3,406

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 Core i3-4150 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 Core i3-4150: 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

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 54W, a 19W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (651 vs 1,071).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.0 vs 12.1 PassMark/$ ($426 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).

Core i3-4150

2014

Why buy it

✅+64.5% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Costs $145 less on MSRP ($281 MSRP vs $426 MSRP).
✅Delivers 51.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 12.1 vs 8.0 PassMark/$ ($281 MSRP vs $426 MSRP).
✅100% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,406 vs 3,416).
❌54.3% higher power demand at 54W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is A12-9800E better than Core i3-4150?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-4150 is ahead with a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, A12-9800E pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.

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 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

A12-9800E is still the much better call for a fresh build. A12-9800E comes in 51.6% more expensive on MSRP at $426 MSRP versus $281 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. Core i3-4150 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 51.2% better value on paper (12.1 vs 8.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1150.

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 2014) 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.

A12-9800E vs Core i3-4150 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.

Core i3-4150

The Core i3-4150 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333/1600, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,406 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The A12-9800E packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-4150 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A12-9800E has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the A12-9800E versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i3-4150 — a 8.2% clock advantage for the A12-9800E (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The A12-9800E uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i3-4150 uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the A12-9800E scores 3,416 against the Core i3-4150's 3,406 — a 0.3% lead for the A12-9800E. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 651 vs 1,071, a 48.8% lead for the Core i3-4150 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A12-9800E vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4150.

Feature	A12-9800E	Core i3-4150
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+9%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	3.5 GHz+13%
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2048 kB+700%	256K (per core)
Process	28 nm	22 nm-21%
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	3,416	3,406
Geekbench 6 Single	651	1,071+65%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The A12-9800E uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-4150 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the A12-9800E versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-4150 — the A12-9800E supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The A12-9800E supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (A12-9800E) vs 16 (Core i3-4150) — the Core i3-4150 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A320,B350,X370 (A12-9800E) and H81,B85,Q85,H87,Q87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Core i3-4150).

Feature	A12-9800E	Core i3-4150
Socket	AM4	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+50%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	8	16+100%

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A12-9800E) vs VT-x, EPT (Core i3-4150). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon R7 (A12-9800E) and HD Graphics 4400 (Core i3-4150) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A12-9800E targets Low Power, Core i3-4150 targets Budget Desktop. Direct competitor: A12-9800E rivals Pentium G4600T; Core i3-4150 rivals FX-6300.

Feature	A12-9800E	Core i3-4150
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Radeon R7	HD Graphics 4400
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	VT-x, EPT
Target Use	Low Power	Budget Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the A12-9800E was priced at $426, while the Core i3-4150 came in at $281. On launch pricing ($426 vs $281), Core i3-4150 was $145 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the A12-9800E delivers 8.0 pts/$ vs 12.1 pts/$ for the Core i3-4150 — making the Core i3-4150 the 40.7% better value option.

Feature	A12-9800E	Core i3-4150
MSRP	$426	$281-34%
Performance per Dollar	8.0	12.1+51%
Release Date	2017	2014

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