PRO A12-9800 vs Ryzen 5 5600

AMD

PRO A12-9800

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2016
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 5600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
Ryzen family
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PRO A12-9800 vs Ryzen 5 5600 Performance Spectrum

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.

PRO A12-9800 vs Ryzen 5 5600 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 5600: 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 5600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (3,751 vs 21,550).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 34.1 vs 108.3 PassMark/$ ($110 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 5600.

Ryzen 5 5600

2022

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +161.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Delivers 217.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 108.3 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 (Wraith Stealth), unlike PRO A12-9800.

Trade-offs

  • 80.9% HIGHER MSRP
    $199 MSRPvs$110 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5600 better than PRO A12-9800?
Yes. Ryzen 5 5600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 161.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 474.5% 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 5600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 161.7% 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 5600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 474.5% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 5 5600 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 5600 comes in 80.9% more expensive on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $110 MSRP, and it still gives you a 161.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 217.6% better value on MSRP (108.3 vs 34.1 PassMark/$), 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 5600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 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 5600 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

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.

AMD

Ryzen 5 5600

The Ryzen 5 5600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 21,550 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

The PRO A12-9800 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 5600 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the PRO A12-9800 versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — a 4.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600 (base: 3.8 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The PRO A12-9800 uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the PRO A12-9800 scores 3,751 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 140.7% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600.

FeaturePRO A12-9800Ryzen 5 5600
Cores / Threads
4 / 4
6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock
4.2 GHz
4.4 GHz+5%
Base Clock
3.8 GHz+9%
3.5 GHz
L3 Cache
32 MB (total)
L2 Cache
2048 kB+300%
512K (per core)
Process
28 nm
7 nm-75%
Architecture
Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)
Vermeer (2020−2025)
PassMark
3,751
21,550+475%
Cinebench R23 Multi
11,077
Geekbench 6 Single
2,052
Geekbench 6 Multi
8,600
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the AM4 socket with PCIe 3.0.

FeaturePRO A12-9800Ryzen 5 5600
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
Yes
PCIe Lanes
24
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (PRO A12-9800) / AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop.

FeaturePRO A12-9800Ryzen 5 5600
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
Target Use
Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the PRO A12-9800 was priced at $110, while the Ryzen 5 5600 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 108.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600 — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 104.2% better value option.

FeaturePRO A12-9800Ryzen 5 5600
MSRP
$110-45%
$199
Performance per Dollar
34.1
108.3+218%
Release Date
2016
2022

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