A12-9800 vs Ryzen 5 3600

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 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.

A12-9800 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.

A12-9800

2017

Why buy it

✅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 (3,695 vs 17,685).

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +153.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅200% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $199 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.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3600 better than A12-9800?

Yes. Ryzen 5 3600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 153.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 378.6% 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, Ryzen 5 3600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 153.6% 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 378.6% 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 at an unclear MSRP at $199 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 153.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2017) 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.

A12-9800 vs Ryzen 5 3600 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.

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 A12-9800 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 4.2 GHz on the A12-9800 versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.8 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The A12-9800 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 A12-9800 scores 3,695 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 130.9% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 635 vs 1,295, a 68.4% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A12-9800 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	A12-9800	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.8 GHz+6%	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	32 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2048 kB+300%	512K (per core)
Process	28 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-75%
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	3,695	17,685+379%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,500
Geekbench 6 Single	635	1,295+104%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,898

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the AM4 socket with PCIe 3.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the A12-9800 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 — the Ryzen 5 3600 supports 33.3% 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 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (A12-9800) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A320,B350,X370 (A12-9800) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).

Feature	A12-9800	Ryzen 5 3600
Socket	AM4	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	DDR4-3200+33%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	24+200%

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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 (A12-9800) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). The A12-9800 includes integrated graphics (Radeon R7), while the Ryzen 5 3600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A12-9800 targets Budget, Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: A12-9800 rivals Pentium G4600; Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.