A12-9720P vs Core i5-3610ME

CPU

GPU

A12-9720P

4 Cores4 Thrd2 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2016

Similar parts

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Core i5-3610ME

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2012

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A12-9720P vs Core i5-3610ME Performance Spectrum

A12-9720P

4 / 4

2,622

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-3610ME

2 / 4

2,652

+1.1%

Pentium G860

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 i5-3610ME 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 i5-3610ME: 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

✅Better for gaming: +4.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $76 less on MSRP ($200 MSRP vs $276 MSRP).
✅Delivers 36.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 13.1 vs 9.6 PassMark/$ ($200 MSRP vs $276 MSRP).
✅Draws 2W instead of 35W, a 33W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,622 vs 2,652).

Core i5-3610ME

2012

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅100% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A12-9720P across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.6 vs 13.1 PassMark/$ ($276 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
❌1650% higher power demand at 35W vs 2W.

Quick Answers

So, is A12-9720P better than Core i5-3610ME?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A12-9720P is ahead with a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3610ME 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 i5-3610ME 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 the better buy right now. A12-9720P comes in $76 cheaper on MSRP at $200 MSRP versus $276 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-3610ME is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.1% better PassMark. It is also 36.4% better value on MSRP (13.1 vs 9.6 PassMark/$), 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 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A12-9720P vs Core i5-3610ME 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 i5-3610ME

The Core i5-3610ME is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: G2. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 2,652 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The A12-9720P packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-3610ME offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A12-9720P has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the A12-9720P versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-3610ME — a 8.7% clock advantage for the A12-9720P (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The A12-9720P uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i5-3610ME uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the A12-9720P scores 2,622 against the Core i5-3610ME's 2,652 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-3610ME. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 529 vs 585, a 10.1% lead for the Core i5-3610ME that directly translates to higher frame rates.

Feature	A12-9720P	Core i5-3610ME
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+9%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	2.7 GHz
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	2,652+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	529	585+11%

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Memory & Platform

The A12-9720P uses the FP4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-3610ME uses G2 (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 i5-3610ME — the A12-9720P supports 16.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (A12-9720P) vs 16 (Core i5-3610ME) — the Core i5-3610ME offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	A12-9720P	Core i5-3610ME
Socket	FP4	G2
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-1866+17%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	16 GB
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, EPT (Core i5-3610ME). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon R7 (A12-9720P) and HD Graphics 4000 (Core i5-3610ME) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A12-9720P targets Laptop, Core i5-3610ME targets Embedded. Direct competitor: A12-9720P rivals Core i5-7200U; Core i5-3610ME rivals Embedded R-Series.

Feature	A12-9720P	Core i5-3610ME
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Radeon R7	HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Laptop	Embedded

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Value Analysis

At launch, the A12-9720P was priced at $200, while the Core i5-3610ME came in at $276. On launch pricing ($200 vs $276), A12-9720P was $76 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the A12-9720P delivers 13.1 pts/$ vs 9.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-3610ME — making the A12-9720P the 30.8% better value option.

Feature	A12-9720P	Core i5-3610ME
MSRP	$200-28%	$276
Performance per Dollar	13.1+36%	9.6
Release Date	2016	2012

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