A12-9800E vs Core i5-2405S

CPU

GPU

A12-9800E

4 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2017

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Core i5-2405S

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2011

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A12-9800E vs Core i5-2405S Performance Spectrum

A12-9800E

4 / 4

3,416

+0.6%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-2405S

4 / 4

3,397

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.

A12-9800E vs Core i5-2405S 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.

A12-9800E vs Core i5-2405S: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A12-9800E

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.0 vs 11.0 PassMark/$ ($426 MSRP vs $309 MSRP).

Core i5-2405S

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $117 less on MSRP ($309 MSRP vs $426 MSRP).
✅Delivers 37.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 11.0 vs 8.0 PassMark/$ ($309 MSRP vs $426 MSRP).
✅100% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A12-9800E across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,397 vs 3,416).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is A12-9800E better than Core i5-2405S?

Yes. A12-9800E is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.2% 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, A12-9800E is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.2% 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, A12-9800E 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?

A12-9800E is still the much better call for a fresh build. A12-9800E comes in 37.9% more expensive on MSRP at $426 MSRP versus $309 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-2405S only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 37.1% better value on paper (11.0 vs 8.0 PassMark/$), 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?

A12-9800E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2011) 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.

A12-9800E vs Core i5-2405S Technical Specifications

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

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 i5-2405S

The Core i5-2405S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 22 May 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,397 points. Launch price was $472.

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Processing Power

Both the A12-9800E and Core i5-2405S share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the A12-9800E versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-2405S — a 14.1% clock advantage for the A12-9800E (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The A12-9800E uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i5-2405S uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the A12-9800E scores 3,416 against the Core i5-2405S's 3,397 — a 0.6% lead for the A12-9800E. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 651 vs 557, a 15.6% lead for the A12-9800E that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A12-9800E vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-2405S.

Feature	A12-9800E	Core i5-2405S
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+15%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+24%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2048 kB+700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	28 nm-13%	32 nm
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	3,416	3,397
Geekbench 6 Single	651+17%	557
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,480

🧠

Memory & Platform

The A12-9800E uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-2405S uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the A12-9800E versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2405S — the A12-9800E supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The A12-9800E supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (A12-9800E) vs 16 (Core i5-2405S) — the Core i5-2405S offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A320,B350,X370 (A12-9800E) and H61,B65,Q65,H67,P67,Z68,B75,Z77 (Core i5-2405S).

Feature	A12-9800E	Core i5-2405S
Socket	AM4	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+80%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	16+100%

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A12-9800E) vs VT-x / EPT (Core i5-2405S). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon R7 (A12-9800E) and Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i5-2405S) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A12-9800E targets Low Power, Core i5-2405S targets Budget. Direct competitor: A12-9800E rivals Pentium G4600T.

Feature	A12-9800E	Core i5-2405S
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Radeon R7	Intel HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	VT-x / EPT
Target Use	Low Power	Budget

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the A12-9800E was priced at $426, while the Core i5-2405S came in at $309. On launch pricing ($426 vs $309), Core i5-2405S was $117 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the A12-9800E delivers 8.0 pts/$ vs 11.0 pts/$ for the Core i5-2405S — making the Core i5-2405S the 31.3% better value option.

Feature	A12-9800E	Core i5-2405S
MSRP	$426	$309-27%
Performance per Dollar	8.0	11.0+38%
Release Date	2017	2011

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