PRO A12-9800 vs Xeon L5638

PRO A12-9800 vs Xeon L5638 Performance Spectrum

PRO A12-9800

4 / 4

3,751

+1.2%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Xeon L5638

6 / 12

3,707

0.0%

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 Xeon L5638 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 Xeon L5638: 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

Trade-offs

❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon L5638, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $110 MSRP, while Xeon L5638 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon L5638

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads.
✅Draws 60W instead of 65W, a 5W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,707 vs 3,751).

Quick Answers

So, is PRO A12-9800 better than Xeon L5638?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon L5638 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while PRO A12-9800 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, PRO A12-9800 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.7% 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, PRO A12-9800 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

PRO A12-9800 is the better buy right now. PRO A12-9800 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $110 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (34.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

PRO A12-9800 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

PRO A12-9800 vs Xeon L5638 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.

Xeon L5638

The Xeon L5638 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 60 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,707 points. Launch price was $90.

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Processing Power

The PRO A12-9800 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon L5638 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon L5638 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the PRO A12-9800 versus 2.4 GHz on the Xeon L5638 — a 54.5% clock advantage for the PRO A12-9800 (base: 3.8 GHz vs 2 GHz). The PRO A12-9800 uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Xeon L5638 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the PRO A12-9800 scores 3,751 against the Xeon L5638's 3,707 — a 1.2% lead for the PRO A12-9800.

Feature	PRO A12-9800	Xeon L5638
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+75%	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.8 GHz+90%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	—	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2048 kB+700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	28 nm-13%	32 nm
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark	3,751+1%	3,707

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Memory & Platform

The PRO A12-9800 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon L5638 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.