A12-9720P vs Core i3-3250T

CPU

GPU

A12-9720P

4 Cores4 Thrd2 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2016

Similar parts

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Core i3-3250T

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3 GHz2013

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A12-9720P vs Core i3-3250T Performance Spectrum

A12-9720P

4 / 4

2,622

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-3250T

2 / 4

2,650

+1.1%

Celeron N2810

Pentium Dual Core T2390

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.

A12-9720P vs Core i3-3250T 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.

A12-9720P vs Core i3-3250T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A12-9720P

2016

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 35W, a 33W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,622 vs 2,650).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.1 vs 19.2 PassMark/$ ($200 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).

Core i3-3250T

2013

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $62 less on MSRP ($138 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
✅Delivers 46.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 19.2 vs 13.1 PassMark/$ ($138 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
✅100% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌1650% higher power demand at 35W vs 2W.

Quick Answers

So, is A12-9720P better than Core i3-3250T?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A12-9720P is ahead with a 2.9% average FPS lead across 10 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-3250T pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-3250T is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

A12-9720P is still the much better call for a fresh build. A12-9720P comes in 44.9% more expensive on MSRP at $200 MSRP versus $138 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.9% average FPS lead across 10 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-3250T only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2013 platform. Even with 46.5% better value on paper (19.2 vs 13.1 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

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

A12-9720P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A12-9720P vs Core i3-3250T Technical Specifications

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

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 i3-3250T

The Core i3-3250T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,650 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The A12-9720P packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-3250T offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A12-9720P has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the A12-9720P versus 3 GHz on the Core i3-3250T — a 18.2% clock advantage for the A12-9720P (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3 GHz). The A12-9720P uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i3-3250T uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the A12-9720P scores 2,622 against the Core i3-3250T's 2,650 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i3-3250T.

Feature	A12-9720P	Core i3-3250T
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+20%	3 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3 GHz+11%
L3 Cache	—	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB+700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	28 nm	22 nm-21%
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,622	2,650+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	529	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The A12-9720P uses the FP4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-3250T uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-1866 on the A12-9720P versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-3250T — the A12-9720P supports 16.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-3250T supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (A12-9720P) vs 16 (Core i3-3250T) — the Core i3-3250T offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	A12-9720P	Core i3-3250T
Socket	FP4	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-1866+17%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	32 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	16+100%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (A12-9720P) / not specified (Core i3-3250T). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon R7 (A12-9720P) and Intel HD Graphics 2500 (Core i3-3250T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A12-9720P targets Laptop. Direct competitor: A12-9720P rivals Core i5-7200U.

Feature	A12-9720P	Core i3-3250T
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Radeon R7	Intel HD Graphics 2500
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	AMD-V	—
Target Use	Laptop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the A12-9720P was priced at $200, while the Core i3-3250T came in at $138. On launch pricing ($200 vs $138), Core i3-3250T was $62 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the A12-9720P delivers 13.1 pts/$ vs 19.2 pts/$ for the Core i3-3250T — making the Core i3-3250T the 37.7% better value option.

Feature	A12-9720P	Core i3-3250T
MSRP	$200	$138-31%
Performance per Dollar	13.1	19.2+47%
Release Date	2016	2013

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