Core i3-7100U vs PRO A12-9800B

Core i3-7100U vs PRO A12-9800B Performance Spectrum

Core i3-7100U

2 / 4

2,721

+0.6%

2,705

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

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 i3-7100U vs PRO A12-9800B 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 i3-7100U vs PRO A12-9800B: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-7100U

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 620, while PRO A12-9800B needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than PRO A12-9800B across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌650% higher power demand at 15W vs 2W.

PRO A12-9800B

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 2W instead of 15W, a 13W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,705 vs 2,721).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-7100U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is PRO A12-9800B better than Core i3-7100U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, PRO A12-9800B is ahead with a 4.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7100U pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7100U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

PRO A12-9800B still makes the most sense overall. PRO A12-9800B comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

PRO A12-9800B is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i3-7100U vs PRO A12-9800B Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-7100U

The Core i3-7100U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,721 points. Launch price was $281.

PRO A12-9800B

The PRO A12-9800B is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FP4. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,705 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-7100U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the PRO A12-9800B offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the PRO A12-9800B has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-7100U versus 3.6 GHz on the PRO A12-9800B — a 40% clock advantage for the PRO A12-9800B (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i3-7100U uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the PRO A12-9800B uses Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7100U scores 2,721 against the PRO A12-9800B's 2,705 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-7100U.

Feature	Core i3-7100U	PRO A12-9800B
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	3.6 GHz+50%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.7 GHz+13%
L3 Cache	3 MB	—
L2 Cache	512 kB	2048 kB+300%
Process	14 nm-50%	28 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)
PassMark	2,721	2,705
Geekbench 6 Single	841	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7100U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the PRO A12-9800B uses FP4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-7100U	PRO A12-9800B
Socket	BGA1356	FP4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-7100U) / not specified (PRO A12-9800B). The Core i3-7100U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 620), while the PRO A12-9800B requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7100U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-7100U rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.