FX-9800P
VS
Core i5-3210M

FX-9800P vs Core i5-3210M

AMD

FX-9800P

4 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2016
VS
Intel

Core i5-3210M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2012

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 FX-9800P is positioned at rank 949 and the Core i5-3210M is on rank 158, so the Core i5-3210M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar FX-9800P

#937
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
1789%
#938
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
1763%
#939
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1618%
#940
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1611%
#941
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
1596%
#943
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1541%
#944
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1478%
#945
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1476%
#946
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1436%
#949
FX-9800P
MSRP: $150|Avg: $45
100%
#951
Celeron 1020E
MSRP: $86|Avg: $20
100%
#954
Core i7-5850EQ
MSRP: $435|Avg: $370
99%
#956
Core i7-4810MQ
MSRP: $378|Avg: $378
98%
#959
Celeron Dual-Core T3500
MSRP: $80|Avg: $15
97%
#960
Celeron 4305UE
MSRP: $107|Avg: $107
97%
#963
Core i7-10510U
MSRP: $409|Avg: N/A
96%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-3210M

#42
Ryzen 9 9955HX3D
MSRP: $749|Avg: N/A
100%
#146
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
333%
#147
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
328%
#148
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
301%
#149
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
300%
#150
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
297%
#152
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
287%
#153
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
275%
#154
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
274%
#155
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
267%
#158
Core i5-3210M
MSRP: $225|Avg: $30
100%
#173
Celeron N3060
MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A
96%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The FX-9800P leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i5-3210M is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.4% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightFX-9800PCore i5-3210M
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($45)
More affordable ($30)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) / 28 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i5-3210M stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 33% cheaper ($30 vs $45) while identifying as the stronger performer.
InsightFX-9800PCore i5-3210M
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Better overall value (+51%)
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($45)
More affordable ($30)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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 FX-9800P and Core i5-3210M

AMD

FX-9800P

The FX-9800P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 31 May 2016 (9 years ago). 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: 1 MB (per module). Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FP4. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,460 points. Launch price was $69.

Intel

Core i5-3210M

The Core i5-3210M 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,469 points. Launch price was $225.

Processing Power

The FX-9800P packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-3210M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the FX-9800P has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the FX-9800P versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-3210M — a 14.9% clock advantage for the FX-9800P (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The FX-9800P uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i5-3210M uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the FX-9800P scores 2,460 against the Core i5-3210M's 2,469 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-3210M.

FeatureFX-9800PCore i5-3210M
Cores / Threads
4 / 4+100%
2 / 4
Boost Clock
3.6 GHz+16%
3.1 GHz
Base Clock
2.7 GHz+8%
2.5 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1 MB (per module)+300%
256K (per core)
Process
28 nm
22 nm-21%
Architecture
Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark
2,460
2,469
Geekbench 6 Single
600
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,400
🧠

Memory & Platform

The FX-9800P uses the FP4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-3210M uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureFX-9800PCore i5-3210M
Socket
FP4
BGA1023
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (FX-9800P) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3210M). The Core i5-3210M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the FX-9800P requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3210M targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-3210M rivals AMD A10-4600M.

FeatureFX-9800PCore i5-3210M
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Mainstream Laptop
💰

Value Analysis

The FX-9800P launched at $150 MSRP, while the Core i5-3210M debuted at $225. At current prices ($45 vs $30), the Core i5-3210M is $15 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the FX-9800P delivers 54.7 pts/$ vs 82.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-3210M — making the Core i5-3210M the 40.4% better value option.

FeatureFX-9800PCore i5-3210M
MSRP
$150-33%
$225
Avg Price (30d)
$45
$30-33%
Performance per Dollar
54.7
82.3+50%
Release Date
2016
2012