A12-9800E vs Ryzen 5 5600

AMD

A12-9800E

4 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2017
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 5600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
Ryzen family
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A12-9800E vs Ryzen 5 5600 Performance Spectrum

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 Ryzen 5 5600 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 Ryzen 5 5600: 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

  • Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon R7, while Ryzen 5 5600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (3,416 vs 21,550).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.0 vs 108.3 PassMark/$ ($426 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).

Ryzen 5 5600

2022

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +195.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $227 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $426 MSRP).
  • Delivers 1250.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 108.3 vs 8.0 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $426 MSRP).
  • 200% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
  • No integrated graphics, while A12-9800E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5600 better than A12-9800E?
Yes. Ryzen 5 5600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 195.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 530.9% 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 5600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 195.3% 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 5600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 530.9% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 5 5600 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 5600 comes in $227 cheaper on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $426 MSRP, and it still gives you a 195.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1250.5% better value on MSRP (108.3 vs 8.0 PassMark/$), 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 5600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 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.

A12-9800E vs Ryzen 5 5600 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

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.

AMD

Ryzen 5 5600

The Ryzen 5 5600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 21,550 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

The A12-9800E packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 5600 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the A12-9800E versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — a 14.6% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The A12-9800E uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the A12-9800E scores 3,416 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 145.3% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 651 vs 2,052, a 103.7% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A12-9800E vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600.

FeatureA12-9800ERyzen 5 5600
Cores / Threads
4 / 4
6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock
3.8 GHz
4.4 GHz+16%
Base Clock
3.1 GHz
3.5 GHz+13%
L3 Cache
0 kB
32 MB (total)
L2 Cache
2048 kB+300%
512K (per core)
Process
28 nm
7 nm-75%
Architecture
Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)
Vermeer (2020−2025)
PassMark
3,416
21,550+531%
Cinebench R23 Multi
11,077
Geekbench 6 Single
651
2,052+215%
Geekbench 6 Multi
8,600
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the AM4 socket with PCIe 3.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the A12-9800E versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600 — the Ryzen 5 5600 supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 5600 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 (A12-9800E) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600) — the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A320,B350,X370 (A12-9800E) and B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600).

FeatureA12-9800ERyzen 5 5600
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
Yes
PCIe Lanes
8
24+200%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 5600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AMD-V virtualization. The A12-9800E includes integrated graphics (Radeon R7), while the Ryzen 5 5600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A12-9800E targets Low Power, Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: A12-9800E rivals Pentium G4600T.

FeatureA12-9800ERyzen 5 5600
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Radeon R7
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
AMD-V
Target Use
Low Power
Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the A12-9800E was priced at $426, while the Ryzen 5 5600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($426 vs $199), Ryzen 5 5600 was $227 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the A12-9800E delivers 8.0 pts/$ vs 108.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600 — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 172.4% better value option.

FeatureA12-9800ERyzen 5 5600
MSRP
$426
$199-53%
Performance per Dollar
8.0
108.3+1254%
Release Date
2017
2022

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