A12-9720P vs Ryzen 5 3600

CPU

GPU

A12-9720P

4 Cores4 Thrd2 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2016

Similar parts

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Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019

Ryzen family

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A12-9720P vs Ryzen 5 3600 Performance Spectrum

A12-9720P

4 / 4

2,622

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen 5 3600

6 / 12

17,685

+574.5%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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 Ryzen 5 3600 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 Ryzen 5 3600: 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 Ryzen 5 3600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,622 vs 17,685).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.1 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($200 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +236.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $1 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
✅Delivers 577.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.9 vs 13.1 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
✅200% more PCIe lanes (24 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 Ryzen 5 3600 better than A12-9720P?

Yes. Ryzen 5 3600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 236.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 574.5% 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, Ryzen 5 3600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 236.5% 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, Ryzen 5 3600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 574.5% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Ryzen 5 3600 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 3600 comes in $1 cheaper on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $200 MSRP, and it still gives you a 236.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 577.9% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 13.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen 5 3600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 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 Ryzen 5 3600 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.

Ryzen 5 3600

The Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,685 points. Launch price was $199.

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Processing Power

The A12-9720P packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 3600 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the A12-9720P versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The A12-9720P uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the A12-9720P scores 2,622 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 148.4% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 529 vs 1,295, a 84% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600 that directly translates to higher frame rates.

Feature	A12-9720P	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	4.2 GHz+17%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3.6 GHz+33%
L3 Cache	—	32 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB	512K (per core)+25500%
Process	28 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-75%
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	2,622	17,685+574%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,500
Geekbench 6 Single	529	1,295+145%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,898

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Memory & Platform

The A12-9720P uses the FP4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-1866 on the A12-9720P versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 — the Ryzen 5 3600 supports 71.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 3600 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 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	A12-9720P	Ryzen 5 3600
Socket	FP4	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-1866	DDR4-3200+71%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	128 GB+700%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	24+200%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 3600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A12-9720P) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). The A12-9720P includes integrated graphics (Radeon R7), while the Ryzen 5 3600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A12-9720P targets Laptop, Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: A12-9720P rivals Core i5-7200U; Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

Feature	A12-9720P	Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Radeon R7	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	Yes
Target Use	Laptop	Gaming/Budget Workstation

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Value Analysis

At launch, the A12-9720P was priced at $200, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($200 vs $199), Ryzen 5 3600 was $1 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the A12-9720P delivers 13.1 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 148.6% better value option.

Feature	A12-9720P	Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP	$200	$199
Performance per Dollar	13.1	88.9+579%
Release Date	2016	2019

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