A4-9120C vs Ryzen 5 3600

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.

A4-9120C vs Ryzen 5 3600 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.

A4-9120C vs Ryzen 5 3600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A4-9120C

2019

Why buy it

✅Draws 6W instead of 65W, a 59W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon R4, while Ryzen 5 3600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3600 across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,258 vs 17,685).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +547.5% higher average FPS across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅200% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike A4-9120C.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $199 MSRP, while A4-9120C mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌983.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 6W.
❌No integrated graphics, while A4-9120C can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3600 better than A4-9120C?

Yes. Ryzen 5 3600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 547.5% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1305.8% 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 3600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 547.5% more average FPS across 49 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 3600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1305.8% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Ryzen 5 3600 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 3600 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $199 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 547.5% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 3600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A4-9120C vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

A4-9120C

The A4-9120C is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.6 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: BGA. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,258 points. Launch price was $50.

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.

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Processing Power

The A4-9120C packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 3600 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.6 GHz on the A4-9120C versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 89.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600. The A4-9120C uses the Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the A4-9120C scores 1,258 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 173.4% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 418 vs 1,295, a 102.4% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600 that directly translates to higher frame rates.

Feature	A4-9120C	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	1.6 GHz	4.2 GHz+163%
Base Clock	—	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	—	32 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB	512K (per core)+51100%
Process	28 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-75%
Architecture	Stoney Ridge (2016−2019)	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	1,258	17,685+1306%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,500
Geekbench 6 Single	418	1,295+210%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,898

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Memory & Platform

The A4-9120C uses the BGA socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-1866 on the A4-9120C versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 — the Ryzen 5 3600 supports 71.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 3600 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 1500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (A4-9120C) vs 2 (Ryzen 5 3600). PCIe lanes: 8 (A4-9120C) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	A4-9120C	Ryzen 5 3600
Socket	BGA	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-1866	DDR4-3200+71%
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	128 GB+1500%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	24+200%

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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 (A4-9120C) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). The A4-9120C includes integrated graphics (Radeon R4), while the Ryzen 5 3600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A4-9120C targets Chromebook, Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: A4-9120C rivals Celeron N3350; Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.