Core i5-3320M vs Pro A12-8800B

CPU

GPU

Core i5-3320M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2012

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Pro A12-8800B

4 Cores4 Thrd2 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2015

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Core i5-3320M vs Pro A12-8800B Performance Spectrum

Core i5-3320M

2 / 4

2,660

0.0%

Core Duo T2400

Pentium Dual Core T2390

2,667

+0.3%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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.

Core i5-3320M vs Pro A12-8800B 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.

Core i5-3320M vs Pro A12-8800B: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-3320M

2012

Why buy it

✅Costs $175 less on MSRP ($225 MSRP vs $400 MSRP).
✅Delivers 77.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 11.8 vs 6.7 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $400 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,660 vs 2,667).
❌25500% higher power demand at 512W vs 2W.

Pro A12-8800B

2015

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 512W, a 510W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.7 vs 11.8 PassMark/$ ($400 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Pro A12-8800B better than Core i5-3320M?

Yes. Pro A12-8800B is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% 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, Pro A12-8800B is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.8% 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, Pro A12-8800B is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pro A12-8800B is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pro A12-8800B comes in 77.8% more expensive on MSRP at $400 MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-3320M only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 77.3% better value on paper (11.8 vs 6.7 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA988.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Pro A12-8800B makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-3320M vs Pro A12-8800B Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-3320M

The Core i5-3320M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,660 points. Launch price was $225.

Pro A12-8800B

The Pro A12-8800B is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 3 June 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Carrizo (2015−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FP4. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Memory support: DDR3/DDR3L-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 2,667 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-3320M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Pro A12-8800B offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pro A12-8800B has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-3320M versus 3.4 GHz on the Pro A12-8800B — a 3% clock advantage for the Pro A12-8800B (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i5-3320M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Pro A12-8800B uses Carrizo (2015−2018) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3320M scores 2,660 against the Pro A12-8800B's 2,667 — a 0.3% lead for the Pro A12-8800B.

Feature	Core i5-3320M	Pro A12-8800B
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	3.4 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+24%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	2048 kB+700%
Process	22 nm-21%	28 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Carrizo (2015−2018)
PassMark	2,660	2,667
Geekbench 6 Single	—	528
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,144

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3320M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pro A12-8800B uses FP4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the Core i5-3320M versus DDR3-2133 on the Pro A12-8800B — the Pro A12-8800B supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Pro A12-8800B 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. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM75,HM76,HM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i5-3320M) and Socket FP4 (Pro A12-8800B).

Feature	Core i5-3320M	Pro A12-8800B
Socket	PGA988	FP4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	1600	DDR3-2133+33%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	64 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i5-3320M) vs AMD-V (Pro A12-8800B). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i5-3320M) and Radeon R7 Graphics (Pro A12-8800B) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-3320M rivals AMD A10-4600M.

Feature	Core i5-3320M	Pro A12-8800B
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 4000	Radeon R7 Graphics
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	AMD-V

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-3320M was priced at $225, while the Pro A12-8800B came in at $400. On launch pricing ($225 vs $400), Core i5-3320M was $175 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3320M delivers 11.8 pts/$ vs 6.7 pts/$ for the Pro A12-8800B — making the Core i5-3320M the 55.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-3320M	Pro A12-8800B
MSRP	$225-44%	$400
Performance per Dollar	11.8+76%	6.7
Release Date	2012	2015

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