PRO A12-9800B vs Xeon E5-2603 v2

PRO A12-9800B vs Xeon E5-2603 v2 Performance Spectrum

PRO A12-9800B

4 / 4

2,705

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Xeon E5-2603 v2

4 / 4

2,735

+1.1%

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 A12-9800B vs Xeon E5-2603 v2 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 A12-9800B vs Xeon E5-2603 v2: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

PRO A12-9800B

2016

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 80W, a 78W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,705 vs 2,735).

Xeon E5-2603 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌3900% higher power demand at 80W vs 2W.

Quick Answers

So, is PRO A12-9800B better than Xeon E5-2603 v2?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2603 v2 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while PRO A12-9800B is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2603 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

PRO A12-9800B still makes the most sense overall. PRO A12-9800B comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

PRO A12-9800B makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

PRO A12-9800B vs Xeon E5-2603 v2 Technical Specifications

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

PRO A12-9800B

The PRO A12-9800B is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 June 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: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FP4. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,705 points. Launch price was $69.

Xeon E5-2603 v2

The Xeon E5-2603 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,735 points. Launch price was $240.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the PRO A12-9800B and Xeon E5-2603 v2 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the PRO A12-9800B versus 1.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-2603 v2 — a 66.7% clock advantage for the PRO A12-9800B (base: 2.7 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The PRO A12-9800B uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Xeon E5-2603 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the PRO A12-9800B scores 2,705 against the Xeon E5-2603 v2's 2,735 — a 1.1% lead for the Xeon E5-2603 v2.

Feature	PRO A12-9800B	Xeon E5-2603 v2
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+100%	1.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+50%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	—	10 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2048 kB+700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	28 nm	22 nm-21%
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Ivy Bridge-EP (2013)
PassMark	2,705	2,735+1%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The PRO A12-9800B uses the FP4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2603 v2 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.