Core i5-680 vs A12-9720P
Core i5-680
A12-9720P
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 i5-680 is positioned at rank 1014 and the A12-9720P is on rank 1016, so the Core i5-680 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-680
Performance Per Dollar A12-9720P
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-680 | A12-9720P |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($10) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($25) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) / 28 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-680 | A12-9720P |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+150%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($10) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($25) |
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 i5-680 and A12-9720P
Core i5-680
The Core i5-680 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 April 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.86 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,620 points. Launch price was $272.
A12-9720P
The A12-9720P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FP4. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,622 points. Launch price was $130.
Processing Power
The Core i5-680 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the A12-9720P offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the A12-9720P has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.86 GHz on the Core i5-680 versus 3.6 GHz on the A12-9720P — a 7% clock advantage for the Core i5-680 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i5-680 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the A12-9720P uses Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-680 scores 2,620 against the A12-9720P's 2,622 — a 0.1% lead for the A12-9720P.
| Feature | Core i5-680 | A12-9720P |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3.86 GHz+7% | 3.6 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz+33% | 2.7 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total) | — |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 2 MB+700% |
| Process | 32 nm | 28 nm-13% |
| Architecture | Clarkdale (2010−2011) | Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) |
| PassMark | 2,620 | 2,622 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 529 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-680 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the A12-9720P uses FP4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-680 versus DDR4-1866 on the A12-9720P — the A12-9720P supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-680) vs 8 (A12-9720P) — the Core i5-680 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core i5-680 | A12-9720P |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1156 | FP4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR4-1866+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16+100% | 8 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-680) vs AMD-V (A12-9720P). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics (Core i5-680) and Radeon R7 (A12-9720P) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-680 targets Desktop, A12-9720P targets Laptop. Direct competitor: A12-9720P rivals Core i5-7200U.
| Feature | Core i5-680 | A12-9720P |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics | Radeon R7 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Desktop | Laptop |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-680 launched at $294 MSRP, while the A12-9720P debuted at $200. At current prices ($10 vs $25), the Core i5-680 is $15 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-680 delivers 262.0 pts/$ vs 104.9 pts/$ for the A12-9720P — making the Core i5-680 the 85.7% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-680 | A12-9720P |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $294 | $200-32% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $10-60% | $25 |
| Performance per Dollar | 262.0+150% | 104.9 |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2016 |
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