Core i3-7100T vs PRO A12-9800

Core i3-7100T vs PRO A12-9800 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-7100T

2 / 4

3,763

+0.3%

3,751

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 i3-7100T vs PRO A12-9800 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 A12-9800: 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

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅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 A12-9800 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike PRO A12-9800.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than PRO A12-9800 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌
6.4% HIGHER MSRP
$117 MSRPvs$110 MSRP

PRO A12-9800

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $7 less on MSRP ($110 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,751 vs 3,763).
❌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 Core i3-7100T better than PRO A12-9800?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, PRO A12-9800 is ahead with a 7.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7100T pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7100T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-7100T is still the better call for a fresh build. Core i3-7100T comes in 6.4% more expensive on MSRP at $117 MSRP versus $110 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. PRO A12-9800 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is so cheap, but its absolute performance tier is too low to be the better recommendation now. At roughly 3,751 PassMark with 4 cores and 4 threads, it only really makes sense as a bare-minimum stopgap or a very constrained existing-platform upgrade.

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

Core i3-7100T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2016) 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.

Core i3-7100T vs PRO A12-9800 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 A12-9800

The PRO A12-9800 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 3 October 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 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: 3,751 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-7100T packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the PRO A12-9800 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the PRO A12-9800 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i3-7100T versus 4.2 GHz on the PRO A12-9800 — a 21.1% clock advantage for the PRO A12-9800 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i3-7100T uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the PRO A12-9800 uses Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7100T scores 3,763 against the PRO A12-9800's 3,751 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-7100T.

Feature	Core i3-7100T	PRO A12-9800
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	4.2 GHz+24%
Base Clock	3.4 GHz	3.8 GHz+12%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	2048 kB+700%
Process	14 nm-50%	28 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)
PassMark	3,763	3,751
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 A12-9800 uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-7100T	PRO A12-9800
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 A12-9800). The Core i3-7100T includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 630), while the PRO A12-9800 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7100T targets Low Power Desktop.

Feature	Core i3-7100T	PRO A12-9800
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Low Power Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-7100T was priced at $117, while the PRO A12-9800 came in at $110. On launch pricing ($117 vs $110), PRO A12-9800 was $7 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-7100T delivers 32.2 pts/$ vs 34.1 pts/$ for the PRO A12-9800 — making the PRO A12-9800 the 5.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-7100T	PRO A12-9800
MSRP	$117	$110-6%
Performance per Dollar	32.2	34.1+6%
Release Date	2017	2016

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