A12-9800 vs Ryzen 5 3600
A12-9800
Ryzen 5 3600
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. The A12-9800 is positioned at rank #345 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar A12-9800
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 3600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | A12-9800 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($80) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) / 28 nm) | ✨ Modern (Matisse (2019−2020) / 7 nm, 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | A12-9800 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($80) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of A12-9800 and Ryzen 5 3600
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.
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 |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the AM4 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR4-2400 memory speed. The Ryzen 5 3600 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 66.7% 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 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | 128 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| 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 (A12-9800) 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.
| Feature | A12-9800 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Radeon R7 | — |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | Yes |
| Target Use | Budget | Gaming/Budget Workstation |
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