A12-9800E vs Core i3-9100HL

CPU

GPU

A12-9800E

4 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2017

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Core i3-9100HL

4 Cores4 Thrd25 WWMax: 2.9 GHz2019

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A12-9800E vs Core i3-9100HL Performance Spectrum

A12-9800E

4 / 4

3,416

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-9100HL

4 / 4

3,454

+1.1%

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 i3-9100HL 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 i3-9100HL: 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 i3-9100HL.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (651 vs 1,037).
❌Lower PassMark (3,416 vs 3,454).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.0 vs 15.4 PassMark/$ ($426 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
❌40% higher power demand at 35W vs 25W.

Core i3-9100HL

2019

Why buy it

✅+59.3% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Costs $201 less on MSRP ($225 MSRP vs $426 MSRP).
✅Delivers 91.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 15.4 vs 8.0 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $426 MSRP).
✅Draws 25W instead of 35W, a 10W reduction.
✅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 i3-9100HL better than A12-9800E?

Yes. Core i3-9100HL is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.5% 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, Core i3-9100HL is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.5% 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 i3-9100HL 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?

Core i3-9100HL is the better buy right now. Core i3-9100HL comes in $201 cheaper on MSRP at $225 MSRP versus $426 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 91.4% better value on MSRP (15.4 vs 8.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i3-9100HL makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2017) 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 Core i3-9100HL 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 i3-9100HL

The Core i3-9100HL is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 3,454 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the A12-9800E and Core i3-9100HL share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the A12-9800E versus 2.9 GHz on the Core i3-9100HL — a 26.9% clock advantage for the A12-9800E (base: 3.1 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The A12-9800E uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i3-9100HL uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A12-9800E scores 3,416 against the Core i3-9100HL's 3,454 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i3-9100HL. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 651 vs 1,037, a 45.7% lead for the Core i3-9100HL that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A12-9800E vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-9100HL.

Feature	A12-9800E	Core i3-9100HL
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+31%	2.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+94%	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2048 kB+700%	256K (per core)
Process	28 nm	14 nm-50%
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
PassMark	3,416	3,454+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	651	1,037+59%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,373

🧠

Memory & Platform

The A12-9800E uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-9100HL uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the A12-9800E versus DDR4 2666 MHz on the Core i3-9100HL — the Core i3-9100HL supports 11.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (A12-9800E) vs 16 (Core i3-9100HL) — the Core i3-9100HL offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A320,B350,X370 (A12-9800E) and Intel 300 Series (Core i3-9100HL).

Feature	A12-9800E	Core i3-9100HL
Socket	AM4	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	DDR4 2666 MHz+11%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 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 true (Core i3-9100HL). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon R7 (A12-9800E) and Intel UHD Graphics 630 (Core i3-9100HL) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A12-9800E targets Low Power, Core i3-9100HL targets Embedded. Direct competitor: A12-9800E rivals Pentium G4600T.

Feature	A12-9800E	Core i3-9100HL
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Radeon R7	Intel UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	true
Target Use	Low Power	Embedded

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the A12-9800E was priced at $426, while the Core i3-9100HL came in at $225. On launch pricing ($426 vs $225), Core i3-9100HL was $201 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the A12-9800E delivers 8.0 pts/$ vs 15.4 pts/$ for the Core i3-9100HL — making the Core i3-9100HL the 62.8% better value option.

Feature	A12-9800E	Core i3-9100HL
MSRP	$426	$225-47%
Performance per Dollar	8.0	15.4+93%
Release Date	2017	2019

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