A4-4300M vs Core i7-3689Y

A4-4300M vs Core i7-3689Y Performance Spectrum

A4-4300M

2 / 2

1,997

+1.5%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i7-3689Y

2 / 4

1,967

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.

A4-4300M vs Core i7-3689Y 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.

A4-4300M vs Core i7-3689Y: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

A4-4300M

2012

Why buy it

✅+1.5% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (282 vs 507).

Core i7-3689Y

2013

Why buy it

✅+79.8% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,967 vs 1,997).
❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is A4-4300M better than Core i7-3689Y?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-3689Y is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 29 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, A4-4300M pulls ahead with 1.5% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, A4-4300M is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

A4-4300M still makes the most sense overall. A4-4300M comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.5% better PassMark.

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

Core i7-3689Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A4-4300M vs Core i7-3689Y Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

A4-4300M

The A4-4300M is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FS1r2. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: unknown. Passmark benchmark score: 1,997 points. Launch price was $50.

Core i7-3689Y

The Core i7-3689Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 13 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,967 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The A4-4300M packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i7-3689Y's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the A4-4300M versus 2.6 GHz on the Core i7-3689Y — a 14.3% clock advantage for the A4-4300M (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The A4-4300M uses the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-3689Y uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the A4-4300M scores 1,997 against the Core i7-3689Y's 1,967 — a 1.5% lead for the A4-4300M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 282 vs 507, a 57% lead for the Core i7-3689Y that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A4-4300M vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3689Y.

Feature	A4-4300M	Core i7-3689Y
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3 GHz+15%	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+67%	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (total)	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Trinity (2012−2013)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	1,997+2%	1,967
Geekbench 6 Single	282	507+80%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,100

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Memory & Platform

The A4-4300M uses the FS1r2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-3689Y uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. The Core i7-3689Y supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	A4-4300M	Core i7-3689Y
Socket	FS1r2	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	32 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A4-4300M) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-3689Y). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon HD 7420G (A4-4300M) and Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3689Y) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A4-4300M targets Budget Laptop, Core i7-3689Y targets Ultra-Low Power Laptop. Direct competitor: A4-4300M rivals Pentium B980; Core i7-3689Y rivals AMD A10-4655M.

Feature	A4-4300M	Core i7-3689Y
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Radeon HD 7420G	Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Budget Laptop	Ultra-Low Power Laptop