Core i5-2320 vs A12-9800
Core i5-2320
A12-9800
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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i5-2320 is positioned at rank 777 and the A12-9800 is on rank 345, so the A12-9800 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2320
Performance Per Dollar A12-9800
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-2320 | A12-9800 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($22) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) / 28 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-2320 | A12-9800 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($22) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 Core i5-2320 and A12-9800
Core i5-2320
The Core i5-2320 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 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): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,688 points. Launch price was $160.
A12-9800
The A12-9800 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 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,695 points. Launch price was $139.
Processing Power
Both the Core i5-2320 and A12-9800 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-2320 versus 4.2 GHz on the A12-9800 — a 24% clock advantage for the A12-9800 (base: 3 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i5-2320 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the A12-9800 uses Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2320 scores 3,688 against the A12-9800's 3,695 — a 0.2% lead for the A12-9800. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 560 vs 635, a 12.6% lead for the A12-9800 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-2320 vs 0 kB on the A12-9800.
| Feature | Core i5-2320 | A12-9800 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.3 GHz | 4.2 GHz+27% |
| Base Clock | 3 GHz | 3.8 GHz+27% |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 2048 kB+700% |
| Process | 32 nm | 28 nm-13% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) |
| PassMark | 3,688 | 3,695 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 560 | 635+13% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-2320 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the A12-9800 uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2320 versus DDR4-2400 on the A12-9800 — the A12-9800 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The A12-9800 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-2320) vs 8 (A12-9800) — the Core i5-2320 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H61,H67,P67,Z68,B75,Z77 (Core i5-2320) and A320,B350,X370 (A12-9800).
| Feature | Core i5-2320 | A12-9800 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR4-2400+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 64 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16+100% | 8 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, EPT (Core i5-2320) vs AMD-V (A12-9800). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 2000 (Core i5-2320) and Radeon R7 (A12-9800) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2320 targets Legacy Desktop, A12-9800 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-2320 rivals Phenom II X4 965; A12-9800 rivals Pentium G4600.
| Feature | Core i5-2320 | A12-9800 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 2000 | Radeon R7 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, EPT | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Legacy Desktop | Budget |
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