A12-9720P vs Core 2 Duo P8600
A12-9720P
Core 2 Duo P8600
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 A12-9720P is positioned at rank 1016 and the Core 2 Duo P8600 is on rank 160, so the Core 2 Duo P8600 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar A12-9720P
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo P8600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | A12-9720P | Core 2 Duo P8600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($25) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) / 28 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | A12-9720P | Core 2 Duo P8600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($25) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 A12-9720P and Core 2 Duo P8600
A12-9720P
The A12-9720P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. 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: 2 MB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FP4. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,622 points. Launch price was $130.
Core 2 Duo P8600
The Core 2 Duo P8600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 July 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,618 points. Launch price was $209.
Processing Power
The A12-9720P packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core 2 Duo P8600 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the A12-9720P has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the A12-9720P versus 2.4 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P8600 — a 40% clock advantage for the A12-9720P (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The A12-9720P uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core 2 Duo P8600 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A12-9720P scores 2,622 against the Core 2 Duo P8600's 2,618 — a 0.2% lead for the A12-9720P.
| Feature | A12-9720P | Core 2 Duo P8600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz+50% | 2.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.7 GHz+13% | 2.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 3 MB L2 Cache |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 3 MB+50% |
| Process | 28 nm-38% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) | Penryn (2008−2011) |
| PassMark | 2,622 | 2,618 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 529 | — |
Memory & Platform
The A12-9720P uses the FP4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo P8600 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-1866 on the A12-9720P versus DDR3-1066 on the Core 2 Duo P8600 — the A12-9720P supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The A12-9720P supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (A12-9720P) vs 16 (Core 2 Duo P8600) — the Core 2 Duo P8600 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | A12-9720P | Core 2 Duo P8600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FP4 | PGA478 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+173% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-1866+33% | DDR3-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB+100% | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 8 | 16+100% |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A12-9720P) vs VT-x (Core 2 Duo P8600). The A12-9720P includes integrated graphics (Radeon R7), while the Core 2 Duo P8600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A12-9720P targets Laptop. Direct competitor: A12-9720P rivals Core i5-7200U.
| Feature | A12-9720P | Core 2 Duo P8600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Radeon R7 | — |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x |
| Target Use | Laptop | — |
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