Core i5-6360U vs PRO A12-9800E

Core i5-6360U vs PRO A12-9800E Performance Spectrum

Core i5-6360U

2 / 4

3,112

0.0%

3,128

+0.5%

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 i5-6360U vs PRO A12-9800E 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 i5-6360U vs PRO A12-9800E: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-6360U

2015

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than PRO A12-9800E across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,112 vs 3,128).
❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.

PRO A12-9800E

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is PRO A12-9800E better than Core i5-6360U?

Yes. PRO A12-9800E is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% 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 A12-9800E is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.2% 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 A12-9800E is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

PRO A12-9800E still makes the most sense overall. PRO A12-9800E comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

PRO A12-9800E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2015) 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 i5-6360U vs PRO A12-9800E Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-6360U

The Core i5-6360U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,112 points. Launch price was $304.

PRO A12-9800E

The PRO 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. 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: 3,128 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-6360U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the PRO A12-9800E offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the PRO A12-9800E has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-6360U versus 3.8 GHz on the PRO A12-9800E — a 20.3% clock advantage for the PRO A12-9800E (base: 2 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i5-6360U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the PRO A12-9800E uses Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6360U scores 3,112 against the PRO A12-9800E's 3,128 — a 0.5% lead for the PRO A12-9800E.

Feature	Core i5-6360U	PRO A12-9800E
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	3.8 GHz+23%
Base Clock	2 GHz	3.1 GHz+55%
L3 Cache	4 MB	—
L2 Cache	512 kB	2048 kB+300%
Process	14 nm-50%	28 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)
PassMark	3,112	3,128

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-6360U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the PRO A12-9800E uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.