A12-9720P vs Core i5-10400F

CPU

GPU

A12-9720P

4 Cores4 Thrd2 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2016

Similar parts

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Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020

Core family

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A12-9720P vs Core i5-10400F Performance Spectrum

A12-9720P

4 / 4

2,622

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-10400F

6 / 12

13,029

+396.9%

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 i5-10400F 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 i5-10400F: 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 65W, a 63W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon R7, while Core i5-10400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,622 vs 13,029).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.1 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($200 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Core i5-10400F

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +188.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $40 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
✅Delivers 521.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 13.1 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
✅100% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike A12-9720P.

Trade-offs

❌3150% higher power demand at 65W vs 2W.
❌No integrated graphics, while A12-9720P can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than A12-9720P?

Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 188.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 396.9% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-10400F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 188.5% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-10400F is the stronger fit. You are getting 396.9% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-10400F is the better buy right now. Core i5-10400F comes in $40 cheaper on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $200 MSRP, and it still gives you a 188.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 521.1% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 13.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-10400F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2016) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A12-9720P vs Core i5-10400F 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 i5-10400F

The Core i5-10400F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,029 points. Launch price was $155.

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Processing Power

The A12-9720P packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-10400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-10400F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the A12-9720P versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F — a 17.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The A12-9720P uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i5-10400F uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A12-9720P scores 2,622 against the Core i5-10400F's 13,029 — a 133% lead for the Core i5-10400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 529 vs 1,454, a 93.3% lead for the Core i5-10400F that directly translates to higher frame rates.

Feature	A12-9720P	Core i5-10400F
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	4.3 GHz+19%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	2.9 GHz+7%
L3 Cache	—	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB	256K (per core)+12700%
Process	28 nm	14 nm-50%
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	2,622	13,029+397%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	8,191
Geekbench 6 Single	529	1,454+175%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	5,783

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Memory & Platform

The A12-9720P uses the FP4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-10400F uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-1866 on the A12-9720P versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F — the Core i5-10400F supports 42.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-10400F supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (A12-9720P) vs 16 (Core i5-10400F) — the Core i5-10400F offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	A12-9720P	Core i5-10400F
Socket	FP4	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-1866	DDR4-2666+43%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	128 GB+700%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	16+100%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A12-9720P) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F). The A12-9720P includes integrated graphics (Radeon R7), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A12-9720P targets Laptop, Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: A12-9720P rivals Core i5-7200U; Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	A12-9720P	Core i5-10400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Radeon R7	—
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Laptop	Gaming

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Value Analysis

At launch, the A12-9720P was priced at $200, while the Core i5-10400F came in at $160. On launch pricing ($200 vs $160), Core i5-10400F was $40 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the A12-9720P delivers 13.1 pts/$ vs 81.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-10400F — making the Core i5-10400F the 144.5% better value option.

Feature	A12-9720P	Core i5-10400F
MSRP	$200	$160-20%
Performance per Dollar	13.1	81.4+521%
Release Date	2016	2020

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