A12-9720P vs Pentium B940

A12-9720P vs Pentium B940 Performance Spectrum

A12-9720P

4 / 4

2,622

+0.5%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Pentium B940

2 / 2

2,610

0.0%

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 Pentium B940 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 Pentium B940: 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: +9.5% higher average FPS across 9 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 2W instead of 35W, a 33W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon R7, while Pentium B940 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.1 vs 19.5 PassMark/$ ($200 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).

Pentium B940

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $66 less on MSRP ($134 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
✅Delivers 48.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 19.5 vs 13.1 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A12-9720P across 9 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,610 vs 2,622).
❌1650% higher power demand at 35W 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 Pentium B940?

Yes. A12-9720P is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 9.5% average FPS lead across 9 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% 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, A12-9720P is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 9.5% more average FPS across 9 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, A12-9720P is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

A12-9720P is still the much better call for a fresh build. A12-9720P comes in 49.3% more expensive on MSRP at $200 MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.5% average FPS lead across 9 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium B940 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 48.6% better value on paper (19.5 vs 13.1 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA988.

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 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A12-9720P vs Pentium B940 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.

Pentium B940

The Pentium B940 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,610 points. Launch price was $134.

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Processing Power

The A12-9720P packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium B940 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the A12-9720P has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the A12-9720P versus 2 GHz on the Pentium B940 — a 57.1% clock advantage for the A12-9720P (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2 GHz). The A12-9720P uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Pentium B940 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the A12-9720P scores 2,622 against the Pentium B940's 2,610 — a 0.5% lead for the A12-9720P.

Feature	A12-9720P	Pentium B940
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+80%	2 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+35%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	—	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB	256K (per core)+12700%
Process	28 nm-13%	32 nm
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	2,622	2,610
Geekbench 6 Single	529	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The A12-9720P uses the FP4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium B940 uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A12-9720P	Pentium B940
Socket	FP4	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-1866	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	8	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (A12-9720P) / not specified (Pentium B940). The A12-9720P includes integrated graphics (Radeon R7), while the Pentium B940 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A12-9720P targets Laptop. Direct competitor: A12-9720P rivals Core i5-7200U.

Feature	A12-9720P	Pentium B940
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Radeon R7	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	AMD-V	—
Target Use	Laptop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the A12-9720P was priced at $200, while the Pentium B940 came in at $134. On launch pricing ($200 vs $134), Pentium B940 was $66 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the A12-9720P delivers 13.1 pts/$ vs 19.5 pts/$ for the Pentium B940 — making the Pentium B940 the 39.1% better value option.

Feature	A12-9720P	Pentium B940
MSRP	$200	$134-33%
Performance per Dollar	13.1	19.5+49%
Release Date	2016	2011

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