PRO A12-9800 vs Ryzen 5 3600

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.

PRO A12-9800 vs Ryzen 5 3600 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.

PRO A12-9800 vs Ryzen 5 3600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

PRO A12-9800

2016

Why buy it

✅Costs $89 less on MSRP ($110 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,751 vs 17,685).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 34.1 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($110 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +148.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 160.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.9 vs 34.1 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $110 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike PRO A12-9800.

Trade-offs

❌
80.9% HIGHER MSRP
$199 MSRPvs$110 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3600 better than PRO A12-9800?

Yes. Ryzen 5 3600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 148.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 371.5% 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, Ryzen 5 3600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 148.4% 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, Ryzen 5 3600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 371.5% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Ryzen 5 3600 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 3600 comes in 80.9% more expensive on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $110 MSRP, and it still gives you a 148.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 160.6% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 34.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen 5 3600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2016) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

PRO A12-9800 vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

PRO A12-9800

The PRO A12-9800 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 3 October 2016 (9 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. 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: 3,751 points. Launch price was $69.

Ryzen 5 3600

The Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,685 points. Launch price was $199.

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Processing Power

The PRO A12-9800 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 3600 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the PRO A12-9800 versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.8 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The PRO A12-9800 uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the PRO A12-9800 scores 3,751 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 130% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	PRO A12-9800	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.8 GHz+6%	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	—	32 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2048 kB+300%	512K (per core)
Process	28 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-75%
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	3,751	17,685+371%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,898

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the AM4 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	PRO A12-9800	Ryzen 5 3600
Socket	AM4	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	24

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (PRO A12-9800) / Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

Feature	PRO A12-9800	Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	Yes
Target Use	—	Gaming/Budget Workstation

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Value Analysis

At launch, the PRO A12-9800 was priced at $110, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($110 vs $199), PRO A12-9800 was $89 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the PRO A12-9800 delivers 34.1 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 89.1% better value option.

Feature	PRO A12-9800	Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP	$110-45%	$199
Performance per Dollar	34.1	88.9+161%
Release Date	2016	2019

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