A12-9800 vs Core i5-7287U

CPU

GPU

A12-9800

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2017

Popular choices:

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Core i5-7287U

2 Cores4 Thrd28 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2017

Popular choices:

•••••••••

Performance Spectrum - CPU

A12-9800

4 / 4

3,695

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-7287U

2 / 4

3,743

+1.3%

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

A12-9800

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.2% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-7287U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,695 vs 3,743).
❌132.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 28W.

Core i5-7287U

2017

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 28W instead of 65W, a 37W reduction.
✅50% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A12-9800 across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A12-9800.

A12-9800

2017

Core i5-7287U

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.2% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-7287U.

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 28W instead of 65W, a 37W reduction.
✅50% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,695 vs 3,743).
❌132.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 28W.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A12-9800 across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A12-9800.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7287U better than A12-9800?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, A12-9800 is ahead with a 4.2% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7287U pulls ahead with 1.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7287U is the better fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-7287U still looks like the safer overall buy. Core i5-7287U is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you 1.3% better PassMark.

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

A12-9800 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more overall headroom and a better platform outlook.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

A12-9800 Benchmark Check

Core i5-7287U Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	A12-9800	Core i5-7287U
1080p
low	92 FPS	94 FPS
medium	92 FPS	94 FPS
high	92 FPS	94 FPS
ultra	92 FPS	85 FPS
1440p
low	92 FPS	94 FPS
medium	92 FPS	94 FPS
high	92 FPS	87 FPS
ultra	76 FPS	69 FPS
4K
low	65 FPS	69 FPS
medium	58 FPS	57 FPS
high	45 FPS	44 FPS
ultra	36 FPS	34 FPS

Open A12-9800 Open Core i5-7287U

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	A12-9800	Core i5-7287U
1080p
low	92 FPS	94 FPS
medium	92 FPS	94 FPS
high	92 FPS	94 FPS
ultra	92 FPS	80 FPS
1440p
low	92 FPS	94 FPS
medium	92 FPS	94 FPS
high	92 FPS	87 FPS
ultra	92 FPS	69 FPS
4K
low	92 FPS	81 FPS
medium	92 FPS	70 FPS
high	92 FPS	51 FPS
ultra	92 FPS	36 FPS

Open A12-9800 Open Core i5-7287U

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	A12-9800	Core i5-7287U
1080p
low	92 FPS	94 FPS
medium	92 FPS	94 FPS
high	92 FPS	94 FPS
ultra	92 FPS	94 FPS
1440p
low	92 FPS	94 FPS
medium	92 FPS	94 FPS
high	92 FPS	94 FPS
ultra	92 FPS	94 FPS
4K
low	92 FPS	94 FPS
medium	92 FPS	94 FPS
high	92 FPS	94 FPS
ultra	92 FPS	94 FPS

Open A12-9800 Open Core i5-7287U

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	A12-9800	Core i5-7287U
1080p
low	92 FPS	94 FPS
medium	92 FPS	94 FPS
high	92 FPS	94 FPS
ultra	92 FPS	94 FPS
1440p
low	92 FPS	94 FPS
medium	92 FPS	94 FPS
high	92 FPS	94 FPS
ultra	92 FPS	94 FPS
4K
low	92 FPS	94 FPS
medium	92 FPS	94 FPS
high	92 FPS	94 FPS
ultra	92 FPS	94 FPS

Open A12-9800 Open Core i5-7287U

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of A12-9800 and Core i5-7287U

A12-9800

The A12-9800 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 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. 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: 3,695 points. Launch price was $139.

Core i5-7287U

The Core i5-7287U 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 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,743 points. Launch price was $304.

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Processing Power

The A12-9800 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-7287U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A12-9800 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the A12-9800 versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-7287U — a 12.7% clock advantage for the A12-9800 (base: 3.8 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The A12-9800 uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i5-7287U uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A12-9800 scores 3,695 against the Core i5-7287U's 3,743 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i5-7287U. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A12-9800 vs 4 MB on the Core i5-7287U.

Feature	A12-9800	Core i5-7287U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+14%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.8 GHz+15%	3.3 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	4 MB
L2 Cache	2048 kB+300%	512 kB
Process	28 nm	14 nm-50%
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	3,695	3,743+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	635	—

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Memory & Platform

The A12-9800 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-7287U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the A12-9800 versus 2133 on the Core i5-7287U — the Core i5-7287U supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The A12-9800 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (A12-9800) vs 12 (Core i5-7287U) — the Core i5-7287U offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A320,B350,X370 (A12-9800) and Kaby Lake-U (Core i5-7287U).

Feature	A12-9800	Core i5-7287U
Socket	AM4	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	2133+53225%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+209715100%	32
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	12+50%

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A12-9800) vs true (Core i5-7287U). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon R7 (A12-9800) and Intel Iris Plus Graphics 650 (Core i5-7287U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A12-9800 targets Budget, Core i5-7287U targets Mobile. Direct competitor: A12-9800 rivals Pentium G4600.