A12-9720P vs Core i5-4288U

CPU

GPU

A12-9720P

4 Cores4 Thrd2 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2016

Similar parts

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Core i5-4288U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2013

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A12-9720P vs Core i5-4288U Performance Spectrum

A12-9720P

4 / 4

2,622

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-4288U

2 / 4

2,659

+1.4%

Core Duo T2400

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 i5-4288U 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 i5-4288U: 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

✅Costs $142 less on MSRP ($200 MSRP vs $342 MSRP).
✅Delivers 68.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 13.1 vs 7.8 PassMark/$ ($200 MSRP vs $342 MSRP).
✅Draws 2W instead of 512W, a 510W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (529 vs 880).
❌Lower PassMark (2,622 vs 2,659).

Core i5-4288U

2013

Why buy it

✅+66.4% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅50% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.8 vs 13.1 PassMark/$ ($342 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
❌25500% higher power demand at 512W vs 2W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4288U better than A12-9720P?

Yes. Core i5-4288U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.4% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-4288U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.3% 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 i5-4288U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-4288U is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i5-4288U comes in 71.0% more expensive on MSRP at $342 MSRP versus $200 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. A12-9720P only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games.

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 i5-4288U 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 i5-4288U

The Core i5-4288U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,659 points. Launch price was $342.

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Processing Power

The A12-9720P packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-4288U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A12-9720P has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the A12-9720P versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-4288U — a 14.9% clock advantage for the A12-9720P (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The A12-9720P uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i5-4288U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the A12-9720P scores 2,622 against the Core i5-4288U's 2,659 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i5-4288U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 529 vs 880, a 49.8% lead for the Core i5-4288U that directly translates to higher frame rates.

Feature	A12-9720P	Core i5-4288U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+16%	3.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+4%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	—	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB	256K (per core)+12700%
Process	28 nm	22 nm-21%
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,622	2,659+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	529	880+66%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,800

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Memory & Platform

The A12-9720P uses the FP4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-4288U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-1866 on the A12-9720P versus DDR3L 1600 MHz on the Core i5-4288U — 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 12 (Core i5-4288U) — the Core i5-4288U offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	A12-9720P	Core i5-4288U
Socket	FP4	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-1866+17%	DDR3L 1600 MHz
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	12+50%

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A12-9720P) vs true (Core i5-4288U). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon R7 (A12-9720P) and Intel Iris Graphics 5100 (Core i5-4288U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A12-9720P targets Laptop, Core i5-4288U targets Mobile. Direct competitor: A12-9720P rivals Core i5-7200U.

Feature	A12-9720P	Core i5-4288U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Radeon R7	Intel Iris Graphics 5100
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	true
Target Use	Laptop	Mobile

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Value Analysis

At launch, the A12-9720P was priced at $200, while the Core i5-4288U came in at $342. On launch pricing ($200 vs $342), A12-9720P was $142 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the A12-9720P delivers 13.1 pts/$ vs 7.8 pts/$ for the Core i5-4288U — making the A12-9720P the 51.1% better value option.

Feature	A12-9720P	Core i5-4288U
MSRP	$200-42%	$342
Performance per Dollar	13.1+68%	7.8
Release Date	2016	2013

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