A12-9720P vs Core i5-12400F

A12-9720P

4 Cores4 Thrd2 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2016

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Performance Spectrum - CPU

A12-9720P

4 / 4

2,622

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-12400F

6 / 12

19,532

+644.9%

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. The A12-9720P is positioned at rank #1016 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar A12-9720P

#1004

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2238%

#1005

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2205%

#1006

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2024%

#1007

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2015%

#1008

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1997%

#1010

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1928%

#1011

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1849%

#1012

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1846%

#1013

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1796%

#1016

A12-9720P

MSRP: $200|Avg: $25

100%

#1017

Core i5-4300M

MSRP: $227|Avg: N/A

99%

#1018

Celeron 1005M

MSRP: $86|Avg: N/A

99%

#1019

Athlon 64 X2 TK-42

MSRP: $60|Avg: $10

99%

#1020

Athlon Neo MV-40

MSRP: $100|Avg: $5

97%

#1021

Core i7-4860EQ

MSRP: $434|Avg: $80

97%

#1022

Pentium SU2700

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

97%

#1023

A4-1250

MSRP: $100|Avg: $30

96%

#1025

Core i5-4200M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

95%

#1026

Celeron 1000M

MSRP: $86|Avg: N/A

95%

#1028

Celeron B840

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

94%

#1029

Celeron M 743

MSRP: $107|Avg: $15

94%

#1030

Core i7-3612QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

94%

#1031

Pentium 967

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-12400F

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

121%

#16

Core Ultra 5 225F

MSRP: $231|Avg: $150

118%

#17

Core Ultra 7 265K

MSRP: $309|Avg: $285

116%

#18

Ryzen 9 3900

MSRP: $499|Avg: $150

115%

#19

Ryzen 5 3600X

MSRP: $249|Avg: $90

113%

#20

Core i7-14700KF

MSRP: $384|Avg: $260

113%

#21

Core i7-14700K

MSRP: $409|Avg: $270

109%

#22

Ryzen 5 4500

MSRP: $129|Avg: $85

106%

#23

Ryzen 5 5600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $115

106%

#24

Celeron G5925

MSRP: $62|Avg: $15

105%

#25

Ryzen 5 7500F

MSRP: $179|Avg: $145

104%

#26

Core Ultra 5 245

MSRP: $319|Avg: $220

103%

#27

Ryzen 7 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $86

102%

#28

Core Ultra 7 265KF

MSRP: $379|Avg: $323

102%

#29

Core Ultra 7 265F

MSRP: $369|Avg: $276

100%

#30

Core i5-12400F

MSRP: $174|Avg: $110

100%

#31

Ryzen 3 PRO 5355G

MSRP: $130|Avg: $80

99%

#32

Ryzen 7 2700X

MSRP: $329|Avg: $100

98%

#33

Core i3-10100F

MSRP: $88|Avg: $50

98%

#34

Ryzen 5 7400F

MSRP: $150|Avg: $147

98%

#35

Ryzen 5 9600X

MSRP: $279|Avg: $178

95%

#36

Ryzen 7 3800X

MSRP: $399|Avg: $140

93%

#37

Ryzen 3 5300G

MSRP: $130|Avg: $80

92%

#38

Ryzen 9 7900X

MSRP: $549|Avg: $316

91%

#39

Ryzen 5 5600X

MSRP: $299|Avg: $135

91%

#40

Core i5-14600KF

MSRP: $304|Avg: $239

91%

#41

Ryzen 7 5800

MSRP: $349|Avg: $160

91%

#42

Core i3-14100F

MSRP: $109|Avg: $96

90%

#43

Ryzen 7 3700X

MSRP: $329|Avg: $140

90%

#44

Ryzen 5 7600X

MSRP: $299|Avg: $178

90%

#45

Ryzen 3 3100

MSRP: $99|Avg: $75

90%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i5-12400F (2022) utilizes Intel 7 nm technology and DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	A12-9720P	Core i5-12400F
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($25)	⚠️ Higher cost ($110)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) / 28 nm)	✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The A12-9720P (2016) relies on 28 nm technology and DDR4, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	A12-9720P	Core i5-12400F
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+69%)
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($25)	⚠️ Higher cost ($110)

Performance Check

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.

A12-9720P Benchmark Check

Core i5-12400F Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of A12-9720P and Core i5-12400F

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 i5-12400F

The Core i5-12400F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 19,532 points. Launch price was $180.

⚡

Processing Power

The A12-9720P packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-12400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the A12-9720P versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 20% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The A12-9720P uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the A12-9720P scores 2,622 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 152.7% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 529 vs 1,700, a 105.1% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates.

Feature	A12-9720P	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	4.4 GHz+22%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+8%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	—	18 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB+60%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	28 nm	Intel 7 nm-75%
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	2,622	19,532+645%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	529	1,700+221%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	657

🧠

Memory & Platform

The A12-9720P uses the FP4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-12400F uses LGA1700 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-1866 on the A12-9720P versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F — the Core i5-12400F supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-12400F supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 155.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (A12-9720P) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	A12-9720P	Core i5-12400F
Socket	FP4	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-1866	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+25%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	128 GB+700%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	8	20+150%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: AMD-V (A12-9720P) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The A12-9720P includes integrated graphics (Radeon R7), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A12-9720P targets Laptop, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: A12-9720P rivals Core i5-7200U; Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	A12-9720P	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Radeon R7	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	AMD-V	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Laptop	Gaming Performance/Value

💰

Value Analysis

The A12-9720P launched at $200 MSRP, while the Core i5-12400F debuted at $174. At current prices ($25 vs $110), the A12-9720P is $85 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the A12-9720P delivers 104.9 pts/$ vs 177.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 51.5% better value option.