A12-9800 vs Core i5-3335S

A12-9800 vs Core i5-3335S Performance Spectrum

A12-9800

4 / 4

3,695

+0.6%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-3335S

4 / 4

3,672

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.

A12-9800 vs Core i5-3335S 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.

A12-9800 vs Core i5-3335S: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

A12-9800

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon R7, while Core i5-3335S needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-3335S.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i5-3335S

2012

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A12-9800 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,672 vs 3,695).
❌Launch MSRP is still $225 MSRP, while A12-9800 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while A12-9800 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A12-9800.

Quick Answers

So, is A12-9800 better than Core i5-3335S?

Yes. A12-9800 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.6% 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, A12-9800 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.2% 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, A12-9800 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

A12-9800 is still the much better call for a fresh build. A12-9800 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-3335S only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (16.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

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

A12-9800 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A12-9800 vs Core i5-3335S Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

A12-9800

The A12-9800 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 27 July 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,695 points. Launch price was $139.

Core i5-3335S

The Core i5-3335S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 November 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,672 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the A12-9800 and Core i5-3335S share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the A12-9800 versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-3335S — a 27% clock advantage for the A12-9800 (base: 3.8 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The A12-9800 uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i5-3335S uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the A12-9800 scores 3,695 against the Core i5-3335S's 3,672 — a 0.6% lead for the A12-9800. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A12-9800 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3335S.

Feature	A12-9800	Core i5-3335S
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+31%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.8 GHz+41%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2048 kB+700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	28 nm	22 nm-21%
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	3,695	3,672
Geekbench 6 Single	635	—

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Memory & Platform

The A12-9800 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-3335S uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A12-9800	Core i5-3335S
Socket	AM4	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	8	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (A12-9800) / not specified (Core i5-3335S). The A12-9800 includes integrated graphics (Radeon R7), while the Core i5-3335S requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A12-9800 targets Budget. Direct competitor: A12-9800 rivals Pentium G4600.