A12-9720P vs Core i3-6100U

A12-9720P vs Core i3-6100U Performance Spectrum

A12-9720P

4 / 4

2,622

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-6100U

2 / 4

2,631

+0.3%

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.

A12-9720P vs Core i3-6100U 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 i3-6100U: 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 512W, a 510W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon R7, while Core i3-6100U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,622 vs 2,631).
❌Launch MSRP is still $200 MSRP, while Core i3-6100U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i3-6100U

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌25500% higher power demand at 512W vs 2W.
❌No integrated graphics, while A12-9720P can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is A12-9720P better than Core i3-6100U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A12-9720P is ahead with a 2.8% average FPS lead across 11 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-6100U pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-6100U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

A12-9720P is the better buy right now. A12-9720P comes in at an unclear MSRP at $200 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 11 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i3-6100U is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.3% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (13.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A12-9720P vs Core i3-6100U 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 i3-6100U

The Core i3-6100U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,631 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

The A12-9720P packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-6100U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A12-9720P has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the A12-9720P versus 2.3 GHz on the Core i3-6100U — a 44.1% clock advantage for the A12-9720P (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The A12-9720P uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i3-6100U uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A12-9720P scores 2,622 against the Core i3-6100U's 2,631 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-6100U.

Feature	A12-9720P	Core i3-6100U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+57%	2.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+17%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	—	3 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB+300%	512 kB
Process	28 nm	14 nm-50%
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	2,622	2,631
Geekbench 6 Single	529	—

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Memory & Platform

The A12-9720P uses the FP4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-6100U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A12-9720P	Core i3-6100U
Socket	FP4	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-1866	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	8	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (A12-9720P) / not specified (Core i3-6100U). The A12-9720P includes integrated graphics (Radeon R7), while the Core i3-6100U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A12-9720P targets Laptop. Direct competitor: A12-9720P rivals Core i5-7200U.