Core i3-4170 vs PRO A10-9700

Core i3-4170 vs PRO A10-9700 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-4170

2 / 4

3,626

+0.7%

3,600

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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.

Core i3-4170 vs PRO A10-9700 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.

Core i3-4170 vs PRO A10-9700: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-4170

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 54W instead of 65W, a 11W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4400, while PRO A10-9700 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike PRO A10-9700.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $117 MSRP, while PRO A10-9700 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

PRO A10-9700

2017

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,600 vs 3,626).
❌20.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 54W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-4170 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-4170.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4170 better than PRO A10-9700?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, PRO A10-9700 is ahead with a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4170 pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4170 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-4170 is the better buy right now. Core i3-4170 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $117 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that PRO A10-9700 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (31.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, PRO A10-9700 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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

PRO A10-9700 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-4170 vs PRO A10-9700 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-4170

The Core i3-4170 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333/1600, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,626 points. Launch price was $117.

PRO A10-9700

The PRO A10-9700 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 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,600 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-4170 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the PRO A10-9700 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the PRO A10-9700 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i3-4170 versus 3.8 GHz on the PRO A10-9700 — a 2.7% clock advantage for the PRO A10-9700 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i3-4170 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the PRO A10-9700 uses Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4170 scores 3,626 against the PRO A10-9700's 3,600 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i3-4170.

Feature	Core i3-4170	PRO A10-9700
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	3.8 GHz+3%
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+6%	3.5 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	2048 kB+700%
Process	22 nm-21%	28 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)
PassMark	3,626	3,600
Geekbench 6 Single	1,140	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,897	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4170 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the PRO A10-9700 uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-4170	PRO A10-9700
Socket	LGA1150	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-4170) / not specified (PRO A10-9700). The Core i3-4170 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4400), while the PRO A10-9700 requires a dedicated GPU.