A8-3870K vs Core i7-3517UE

A8-3870K vs Core i7-3517UE Performance Spectrum

A8-3870K

4 / 4

2,360

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i7-3517UE

2 / 4

2,384

+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.

A8-3870K vs Core i7-3517UE 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.

A8-3870K vs Core i7-3517UE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A8-3870K

2011

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 6550D, while Core i7-3517UE needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-3517UE.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,360 vs 2,384).
❌488.2% higher power demand at 100W vs 17W.

Core i7-3517UE

2012

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 17W instead of 100W, a 83W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $330 MSRP, while A8-3870K mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while A8-3870K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A8-3870K.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-3517UE better than A8-3870K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A8-3870K is ahead with a 2.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-3517UE pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-3517UE 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 i7-3517UE is the better buy right now. Core i7-3517UE comes in at an unclear MSRP at $330 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. The compromise is that A8-3870K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i7-3517UE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 2 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.

A8-3870K vs Core i7-3517UE Technical Specifications

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

A8-3870K

The A8-3870K is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Llano (2011−2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM1. Thermal design power (TDP): 100 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,360 points. Launch price was $90.

Core i7-3517UE

The Core i7-3517UE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 2,384 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The A8-3870K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-3517UE offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A8-3870K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the A8-3870K versus 2.8 GHz on the Core i7-3517UE — a 6.9% clock advantage for the A8-3870K (base: 3 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The A8-3870K uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-3517UE uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the A8-3870K scores 2,360 against the Core i7-3517UE's 2,384 — a 1% lead for the Core i7-3517UE. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-3870K vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3517UE.

Feature	A8-3870K	Core i7-3517UE
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3 GHz+7%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+76%	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Llano (2011−2012)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,360	2,384+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	380	—

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Memory & Platform

The A8-3870K uses the FM1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-3517UE uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A8-3870K	Core i7-3517UE
Socket	FM1	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1866	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (A8-3870K) / not specified (Core i7-3517UE). The A8-3870K includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6550D), while the Core i7-3517UE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A8-3870K targets Budget Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: A8-3870K rivals Core i3-2125.