A12-9800E vs Core i7-960

A12-9800E vs Core i7-960 Performance Spectrum

A12-9800E

4 / 4

3,416

+0.5%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i7-960

4 / 8

3,400

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 i7-960 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 i7-960: 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

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 130W, a 95W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon R7, while Core i7-960 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-960.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-960 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.0 vs 11.0 PassMark/$ ($426 MSRP vs $309 MSRP).

Core i7-960

2009

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $117 less on MSRP ($309 MSRP vs $426 MSRP).
✅Delivers 37.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 11.0 vs 8.0 PassMark/$ ($309 MSRP vs $426 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,400 vs 3,416).
❌271.4% higher power demand at 130W vs 35W.
❌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 i7-960?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-960 is ahead with a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, A12-9800E pulls ahead with 0.5% 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 0.5% 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 37.9% more expensive on MSRP at $426 MSRP versus $309 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. Core i7-960 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2009 platform. Even with 37.2% better value on paper (11.0 vs 8.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1366.

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 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A12-9800E vs Core i7-960 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 i7-960

The Core i7-960 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 October 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,400 points. Launch price was $316.

⚡

Processing Power

The A12-9800E packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-960's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the A12-9800E versus 3.46 GHz on the Core i7-960 — a 9.4% clock advantage for the A12-9800E (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The A12-9800E uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i7-960 uses Bloomfield (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A12-9800E scores 3,416 against the Core i7-960's 3,400 — a 0.5% lead for the A12-9800E. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A12-9800E vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-960.

Feature	A12-9800E	Core i7-960
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+10%	3.46 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	3.2 GHz+3%
L3 Cache	0 kB	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2048 kB+700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	28 nm-38%	45 nm
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Bloomfield (2008−2010)
PassMark	3,416	3,400
Geekbench 6 Single	651	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The A12-9800E uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-960 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A12-9800E	Core i7-960
Socket	AM4	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	8	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (A12-9800E) / not specified (Core i7-960). The A12-9800E includes integrated graphics (Radeon R7), while the Core i7-960 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A12-9800E targets Low Power. Direct competitor: A12-9800E rivals Pentium G4600T.

Feature	A12-9800E	Core i7-960
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Radeon R7	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	AMD-V	—
Target Use	Low Power	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the A12-9800E was priced at $426, while the Core i7-960 came in at $309. On launch pricing ($426 vs $309), Core i7-960 was $117 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the A12-9800E delivers 8.0 pts/$ vs 11.0 pts/$ for the Core i7-960 — making the Core i7-960 the 31.4% better value option.

Feature	A12-9800E	Core i7-960
MSRP	$426	$309-27%
Performance per Dollar	8.0	11.0+38%
Release Date	2017	2009

Search A12-9800E on Amazon

Search Core i7-960 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.