Core i3-7100T vs PRO A12-8870

Core i3-7100T vs PRO A12-8870 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-7100T

2 / 4

3,763

0.0%

3,805

+1.1%

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 i3-7100T vs PRO A12-8870 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 i3-7100T vs PRO A12-8870: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-7100T

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 630, while PRO A12-8870 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike PRO A12-8870.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than PRO A12-8870 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,763 vs 3,805).
❌Launch MSRP is still $117 MSRP, while PRO A12-8870 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

PRO A12-8870

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-7100T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-7100T.

Quick Answers

So, is PRO A12-8870 better than Core i3-7100T?

Yes. PRO A12-8870 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, PRO A12-8870 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.6% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, PRO A12-8870 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

PRO A12-8870 is still the much better call for a fresh build. PRO A12-8870 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $117 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-7100T only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (32.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

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

PRO A12-8870 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-7100T vs PRO A12-8870 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-7100T

The Core i3-7100T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,763 points. Launch price was $117.

PRO A12-8870

The PRO A12-8870 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Outubro 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Carrizo (2015−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 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: 3,805 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-7100T packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the PRO A12-8870 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the PRO A12-8870 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i3-7100T versus 4.2 GHz on the PRO A12-8870 — a 21.1% clock advantage for the PRO A12-8870 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i3-7100T uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the PRO A12-8870 uses Carrizo (2015−2018) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7100T scores 3,763 against the PRO A12-8870's 3,805 — a 1.1% lead for the PRO A12-8870.

Feature	Core i3-7100T	PRO A12-8870
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	4.2 GHz+24%
Base Clock	3.4 GHz	3.7 GHz+9%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	2048 kB+700%
Process	14 nm-50%	28 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Carrizo (2015−2018)
PassMark	3,763	3,805+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,157	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,500	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7100T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the PRO A12-8870 uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-7100T	PRO A12-8870
Socket	LGA1151	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-7100T) / not specified (PRO A12-8870). The Core i3-7100T includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 630), while the PRO A12-8870 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7100T targets Low Power Desktop.