Core i7-870 vs PRO A12-9800E

Core i7-870 vs PRO A12-9800E Performance Spectrum

Core i7-870

4 / 8

3,164

+1.2%

Pentium Dual Core T2390

3,128

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 i7-870 vs PRO A12-9800E 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 i7-870 vs PRO A12-9800E: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-870

2009

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike PRO A12-9800E.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $300 MSRP, while PRO A12-9800E mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌171.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 35W.

PRO A12-9800E

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 95W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-870 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,128 vs 3,164).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-870.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-870 better than PRO A12-9800E?

Yes. Core i7-870 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.2% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-870 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.8% 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, Core i7-870 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-870 is the better buy right now. Core i7-870 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $300 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (10.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 A12-9800E 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 A12-9800E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-870 vs PRO A12-9800E Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-870

The Core i7-870 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.93 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,164 points. Launch price was $305.

PRO A12-9800E

The PRO A12-9800E 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 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,128 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-870 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the PRO A12-9800E's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-870 versus 3.8 GHz on the PRO A12-9800E — a 5.4% clock advantage for the PRO A12-9800E (base: 2.93 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i7-870 uses the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the PRO A12-9800E uses Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-870 scores 3,164 against the PRO A12-9800E's 3,128 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i7-870.

Feature	Core i7-870	PRO A12-9800E
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.8 GHz+6%
Base Clock	2.93 GHz	3.1 GHz+6%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	2048 kB+700%
Process	45 nm	28 nm-38%
Architecture	Lynnfield (2009−2010)	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)
PassMark	3,164+1%	3,128
Geekbench 6 Single	476	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,541	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-870 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the PRO A12-9800E uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.