Core i3-7100T vs PRO A12-9800
Core i3-7100T
PRO A12-9800
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-7100T is positioned at rank 568 and the PRO A12-9800 is on rank 282, so the PRO A12-9800 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-7100T
Performance Per Dollar PRO A12-9800
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-7100T | PRO A12-9800 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($39) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($55) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) / 28 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-7100T | PRO A12-9800 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+41%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($39) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($55) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-7100T and PRO A12-9800
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 | ✅ | — |
| 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
The Core i3-7100T launched at $117 MSRP, while the PRO A12-9800 debuted at $110. At current prices ($39 vs $55), the Core i3-7100T is $16 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-7100T delivers 96.5 pts/$ vs 68.2 pts/$ for the PRO A12-9800 — making the Core i3-7100T the 34.4% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-7100T | PRO A12-9800 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $117 | $110-6% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $39-29% | $55 |
| Performance per Dollar | 96.5+41% | 68.2 |
| Release Date | 2017 | 2016 |
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