A12-9800E vs Core i3-7100H

A12-9800E vs Core i3-7100H Performance Spectrum

A12-9800E

4 / 4

3,416

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-7100H

2 / 4

3,450

+1.0%

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 i3-7100H 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 i3-7100H: 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

✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-7100H.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (651 vs 1,011).
❌Lower PassMark (3,416 vs 3,450).
❌Launch MSRP is still $426 MSRP, while Core i3-7100H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i3-7100H

2017

Why buy it

✅+55.3% 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

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A12-9800E.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-7100H better than A12-9800E?

Yes. Core i3-7100H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-7100H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.4% 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, Core i3-7100H is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-7100H is still the better call for a fresh build. Core i3-7100H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $426 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. A12-9800E only looks stronger on raw value math because it is so cheap, but its absolute performance tier is too low to be the better recommendation now. At roughly 3,416 PassMark with 4 cores and 4 threads, it only really makes sense as a bare-minimum stopgap or a very constrained existing-platform upgrade.

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

A12-9800E is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

A12-9800E vs Core i3-7100H 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 i3-7100H

The Core i3-7100H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,450 points. Launch price was $393.

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Processing Power

The A12-9800E packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-7100H offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A12-9800E has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the A12-9800E versus 2.8 GHz on the Core i3-7100H — a 30.3% clock advantage for the A12-9800E (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3 GHz). The A12-9800E uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i3-7100H uses Kaby Lake-H (2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A12-9800E scores 3,416 against the Core i3-7100H's 3,450 — a 1% lead for the Core i3-7100H. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 651 vs 1,011, a 43.3% lead for the Core i3-7100H that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A12-9800E vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-7100H.

Feature	A12-9800E	Core i3-7100H
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+36%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+3%	3 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2048 kB+700%	256K (per core)
Process	28 nm	14 nm-50%
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Kaby Lake-H (2017)
PassMark	3,416	3,450
Geekbench 6 Single	651	1,011+55%

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Memory & Platform

The A12-9800E uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-7100H uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2400 memory speed. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (A12-9800E) vs 16 (Core i3-7100H) — the Core i3-7100H offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A320,B350,X370 (A12-9800E) and HM175,QM175,CM238 (Core i3-7100H).

Feature	A12-9800E	Core i3-7100H
Socket	AM4	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	16+100%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A12-9800E) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-7100H). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon R7 (A12-9800E) and HD Graphics 630 (Core i3-7100H) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A12-9800E targets Low Power, Core i3-7100H targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: A12-9800E rivals Pentium G4600T; Core i3-7100H rivals Ryzen 3 2300U.