A12-9800E vs Ryzen 9 5900X

CPU

GPU

A12-9800E

4 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2017

Similar parts

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Ryzen 9 5900X

12 Cores24 Thrd105 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2020

Ryzen family

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A12-9800E vs Ryzen 9 5900X Performance Spectrum

A12-9800E

4 / 4

3,416

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen 9 5900X

12 / 24

38,955

+1040.4%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

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 9 5900X 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 9 5900X: 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

✅Costs $123 less on MSRP ($426 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 105W, a 70W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon R7, while Ryzen 9 5900X needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 9 5900X.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 5900X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,416 vs 38,955).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.0 vs 71.0 PassMark/$ ($426 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).

Ryzen 9 5900X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +281.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 784.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 71.0 vs 8.0 PassMark/$ ($549 MSRP vs $426 MSRP).
✅200% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
28.9% HIGHER MSRP
$549 MSRPvs$426 MSRP
❌200% higher power demand at 105W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while A12-9800E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A12-9800E.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 5900X better than A12-9800E?

Yes. Ryzen 9 5900X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 281.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1040.4% 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 9 5900X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 281.4% 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 9 5900X is the stronger fit. You are getting 1040.4% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Ryzen 9 5900X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 9 5900X comes in 28.9% more expensive on MSRP at $549 MSRP versus $426 MSRP, and it still gives you a 281.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 784.9% better value on MSRP (71.0 vs 8.0 PassMark/$), 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 9 5900X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2017) and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 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 9 5900X 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.

Ryzen 9 5900X

The Ryzen 9 5900X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 38,955 points. Launch price was $549.

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Processing Power

The A12-9800E packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Ryzen 9 5900X has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the A12-9800E versus 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900X — a 23.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The A12-9800E uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the A12-9800E scores 3,416 against the Ryzen 9 5900X's 38,955 — a 167.8% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 651 vs 2,174, a 107.8% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A12-9800E vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900X.

Feature	A12-9800E	Ryzen 9 5900X
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	12 / 24+200%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.8 GHz+26%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	3.7 GHz+19%
L3 Cache	0 kB	64 MB
L2 Cache	2048 kB+300%	512K (per core)
Process	28 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-75%
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	3,416	38,955+1040%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	21,000
Geekbench 6 Single	651	2,174+234%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	11,888

🧠

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 9 5900X — the Ryzen 9 5900X supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 9 5900X 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 9 5900X) — the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A320,B350,X370 (A12-9800E) and A320,B350,X370,B450,X470,B550,X570 (Ryzen 9 5900X).

Feature	A12-9800E	Ryzen 9 5900X
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 9 5900X 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 9 5900X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A12-9800E targets Low Power, Ryzen 9 5900X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: A12-9800E rivals Pentium G4600T; Ryzen 9 5900X rivals Core i9-12900K.

Feature	A12-9800E	Ryzen 9 5900X
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Radeon R7	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	AMD-V
Target Use	Low Power	Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the A12-9800E was priced at $426, while the Ryzen 9 5900X came in at $549. On launch pricing ($426 vs $549), A12-9800E was $123 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the A12-9800E delivers 8.0 pts/$ vs 71.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 5900X — making the Ryzen 9 5900X the 159.4% better value option.

Feature	A12-9800E	Ryzen 9 5900X
MSRP	$426-22%	$549
Performance per Dollar	8.0	71.0+788%
Release Date	2017	2020

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