A12-9800E vs Core i7-6600U

A12-9800E vs Core i7-6600U Performance Spectrum

A12-9800E

4 / 4

3,416

+0.3%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i7-6600U

2 / 4

3,407

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 i7-6600U 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 i7-6600U: 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

✅Better for gaming: +5.0% 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 i7-6600U needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-6600U.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $426 MSRP, while Core i7-6600U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌133.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 15W.

Core i7-6600U

2015

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 35W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A12-9800E across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,407 vs 3,416).
❌No integrated graphics, while A12-9800E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A12-9800E.

Quick Answers

So, is A12-9800E better than Core i7-6600U?

Yes. A12-9800E is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% 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 5.0% 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 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 the better buy right now. A12-9800E comes in at an unclear MSRP at $426 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (8.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2015) 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 i7-6600U 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 i7-6600U

The Core i7-6600U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 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: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,407 points. Launch price was $393.

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Processing Power

The A12-9800E packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-6600U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A12-9800E has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the A12-9800E versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-6600U — a 11.1% clock advantage for the A12-9800E (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The A12-9800E uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i7-6600U uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A12-9800E scores 3,416 against the Core i7-6600U's 3,407 — a 0.3% lead for the A12-9800E. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A12-9800E vs 4 MB on the Core i7-6600U.

Feature	A12-9800E	Core i7-6600U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+12%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+19%	2.6 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)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	3,416	3,407
Geekbench 6 Single	651	—

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Memory & Platform

The A12-9800E uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-6600U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A12-9800E	Core i7-6600U
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 (A12-9800E) / not specified (Core i7-6600U). The A12-9800E includes integrated graphics (Radeon R7), while the Core i7-6600U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A12-9800E targets Low Power. Direct competitor: A12-9800E rivals Pentium G4600T.