Core i7-930 vs PRO A12-8870E

Intel

Core i7-930

4 Cores8 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.06 GHz2010
Similar parts
·······
VS
AMD

PRO A12-8870E

4 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2016
Similar parts
·······

Core i7-930 vs PRO A12-8870E Performance Spectrum

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 i7-930 vs PRO A12-8870E 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 i7-930 vs PRO A12-8870E: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-930

2010

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +5.0% higher average FPS across 42 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (36 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (2,993 vs 3,010).
  • Launch MSRP is still $294 MSRP, while PRO A12-8870E mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 271.4% higher power demand at 130W vs 35W.

PRO A12-8870E

2016

Why buy it

  • +0.6% higher PassMark.
  • Draws 35W instead of 130W, a 95W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-930 across 42 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is PRO A12-8870E better than Core i7-930?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-930 is ahead with a 5.0% average FPS lead across 42 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, PRO A12-8870E 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, PRO A12-8870E is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
PRO A12-8870E is still the much better call for a fresh build. PRO A12-8870E comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $294 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. Core i7-930 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (10.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1366.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
PRO A12-8870E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-930 vs PRO A12-8870E Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i7-930

The Core i7-930 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 February 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.06 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,993 points. Launch price was $80.

AMD

PRO A12-8870E

The PRO A12-8870E 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 2.9 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: 3,010 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

The Core i7-930 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the PRO A12-8870E's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.06 GHz on the Core i7-930 versus 3.8 GHz on the PRO A12-8870E — a 21.6% clock advantage for the PRO A12-8870E (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i7-930 uses the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the PRO A12-8870E uses Carrizo (2015−2018) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-930 scores 2,993 against the PRO A12-8870E's 3,010 — a 0.6% lead for the PRO A12-8870E.

FeatureCore i7-930PRO A12-8870E
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 4
Boost Clock
3.06 GHz
3.8 GHz+24%
Base Clock
2.8 GHz
2.9 GHz+4%
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
2048 kB+700%
Process
45 nm
28 nm-38%
Architecture
Bloomfield (2008−2010)
Carrizo (2015−2018)
PassMark
2,993
3,010
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-930 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the PRO A12-8870E uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-930PRO A12-8870E
Socket
LGA1366
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity
24 GB
RAM Channels
3
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
36
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-930) / not specified (PRO A12-8870E). Primary use case: Core i7-930 targets Desktop.

FeatureCore i7-930PRO A12-8870E
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Desktop