A8-7680 vs Core i7-975

A8-7680 vs Core i7-975 Performance Spectrum

A8-7680

4 / 4

3,523

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i7-975

4 / 8

3,527

+0.1%

Core M-5Y71

Core m7-6Y75

Celeron Dual-Core T1400

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.

A8-7680 vs Core i7-975 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.

A8-7680 vs Core i7-975: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A8-7680

2018

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 130W, a 85W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon R7 Graphics, while Core i7-975 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Core i7-975.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,523 vs 3,527).

Core i7-975

2009

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $999 MSRP, while A8-7680 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌188.9% higher power demand at 130W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while A8-7680 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A8-7680.

Quick Answers

So, is A8-7680 better than Core i7-975?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A8-7680 is ahead with a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-975 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-975 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

A8-7680 is still the much better call for a fresh build. A8-7680 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $999 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-975 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2009 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (3.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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?

A8-7680 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A8-7680 vs Core i7-975 Technical Specifications

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

A8-7680

The A8-7680 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 26 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Excavator (2017−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,523 points. Launch price was $56.

Core i7-975

The Core i7-975 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 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: 3,527 points. Launch price was $476.

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Processing Power

The A8-7680 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-975's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the A8-7680 versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-975 — a 5.4% clock advantage for the A8-7680 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.33 GHz). The A8-7680 uses the Excavator (2017−2018) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i7-975 uses Bloomfield (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A8-7680 scores 3,523 against the Core i7-975's 3,527 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-975.

Feature	A8-7680	Core i7-975
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+6%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+5%	3.33 GHz
L3 Cache	—	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	28 nm-38%	45 nm
Architecture	Excavator (2017−2018)	Bloomfield (2008−2010)
PassMark	3,523	3,527

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Memory & Platform

The A8-7680 uses the FM2+ socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-975 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A8-7680	Core i7-975
Socket	FM2+	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	64	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (A8-7680) / not specified (Core i7-975). The A8-7680 includes integrated graphics (Radeon R7 Graphics), while the Core i7-975 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: A8-7680 rivals Core i3-4150.