A12-9800E vs Core i5-12400F
A12-9800E
Core i5-12400F
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 A12-9800E is positioned at rank #1029 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 A12-9800E
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-12400F
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | A12-9800E | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($150) | ✅ More affordable ($110) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) / 28 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | A12-9800E | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+680%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($150) | ✅ More affordable ($110) |
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 A12-9800E and Core i5-12400F
A12-9800E
The A12-9800E 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 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,416 points. Launch price was $105.
Core i5-12400F
The Core i5-12400F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 19,532 points. Launch price was $180.
Processing Power
The A12-9800E packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-12400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the A12-9800E versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 14.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The A12-9800E uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the A12-9800E scores 3,416 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 140.5% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 651 vs 1,700, a 89.2% lead for the Core i5-12400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A12-9800E vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.
| Feature | A12-9800E | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 6 / 12+50% |
| Boost Clock | 3.8 GHz | 4.4 GHz+16% |
| Base Clock | 3.1 GHz+24% | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 18 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 2048 kB+60% | 1.25 MB (per core) |
| Process | 28 nm | Intel 7 nm-75% |
| Architecture | Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) | Alder Lake-S (2022) |
| PassMark | 3,416 | 19,532+472% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 12,380 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 651 | 1,700+161% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 657 |
Memory & Platform
The A12-9800E uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-12400F uses LGA1700 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the A12-9800E versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F — the Core i5-12400F supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-12400F 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 (A12-9800E) vs 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A320,B350,X370 (A12-9800E) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).
| Feature | A12-9800E | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM4 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2400 | DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+25% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | 128 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 8 | 20+150% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: AMD-V (A12-9800E) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The A12-9800E includes integrated graphics (Radeon R7), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A12-9800E targets Low Power, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: A12-9800E rivals Pentium G4600T; Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.
| Feature | A12-9800E | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Radeon R7 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Low Power | Gaming Performance/Value |
Value Analysis
The A12-9800E launched at $426 MSRP, while the Core i5-12400F debuted at $174. At current prices ($150 vs $110), the Core i5-12400F is $40 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the A12-9800E delivers 22.8 pts/$ vs 177.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 154.5% better value option.
| Feature | A12-9800E | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $426 | $174-59% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $150 | $110-27% |
| Performance per Dollar | 22.8 | 177.6+679% |
| Release Date | 2017 | 2022 |
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