CPU Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i3-6320 scores 3753 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the AMD A12-9800 scores 3140. This gives the Intel part a 19.5% advantage in that test.

Q: How do the two chips compare in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i3-6320 leads in both available single-core tests. In Cinebench R20 single-core, it scores 222 against the AMD's 186 (a 19.4% delta). In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel scores 529 versus 443 for the AMD, again a 19.4% difference.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i3-6320 has an average benchmark score of 1085, and the AMD A12-9800 has an average benchmark score of 1081. Despite the Intel's consistent win in head-to-head tests, the overall averages are nearly identical, differing by only 4 points.

Q: Do both CPUs support the same memory type?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i3-6320 and the AMD A12-9800 support DDR4 memory with a dual-channel memory bus. The AMD part has a higher theoretical memory bandwidth at 38.4 GB/s compared to the Intel's 34.1 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The AMD A12-9800 has 4 physical cores, while the Intel Core i3-6320 has 2 physical cores. However, the Intel chip supports 4 threads via Hyper-Threading, matching the AMD's thread count.

Q: What are the transistor counts and die sizes for each chip?

A: The AMD A12-9800 contains 3,100 million transistors on a 250 mm² die, while the Intel Core i3-6320 contains 1,400 million transistors on a 150 mm² die. The AMD chip is built on a 28 nm process, whereas the Intel chip uses a 14 nm process.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The Intel Core i3-6320 wins all five recorded head-to-head comparisons against the AMD A12-9800, with a win margin of 5 to 0. The deltas are remarkably consistent, ranging from 19.4% to 19.6% across both single-core and multi-core tests. This uniformity suggests a fundamental per-clock efficiency advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

For users prioritizing raw CPU compute in Cinebench workloads, the Intel Core i3-6320 is the clear choice. Its multi-core scores are higher in every generation of the Cinebench test, and its single-core leadership is equally decisive. The AMD A12-9800, despite having twice the physical core count, cannot overcome the Intel's architectural efficiency.

However, the near-identical average benchmark scores (1085 vs 1081) and the same 30th percentile ranking among all CPUs indicate that in a broader mixed workload context, these processors land in the same performance tier. The AMD A12-9800 should be considered by users who need its integrated Radeon R7 graphics, as the Intel HD 530 in the i3-6320 is likely less capable for GPU-accelerated tasks, though no direct graphics benchmarks are available in the data.

The AMD chip also offers a higher boost clock of 4.20 GHz and more L2 cache (2 MB vs 256 KB per core). For users with workloads that scale with cache or benefit from the AMD's specific feature set, the A12-9800 remains a viable option despite losing every recorded CPU benchmark.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data shows a decisive sweep for the Intel Core i3-6320 across all five recorded Cinebench tests. The margins are tightly clustered between 19.4% and 19.6%, indicating a consistent performance gap.

Multi-core analysis: In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel scores 378 against the AMD's 316, a 19.6% advantage. The same 19.6% delta appears in Cinebench R20 multi-core, with scores of 1576 and 1318 respectively. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel scores 3753 versus 3140, a 19.5% lead. This consistency across three generations of the Cinebench benchmark suggests the performance relationship is stable and predictable.

Single-core analysis: The Intel Core i3-6320 scores 222 in Cinebench R20 single-core, while the AMD A12-9800 scores 186, a 19.4% difference. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel scores 529 against 443 for the AMD, again 19.4%. The single-core deltas are slightly smaller than the multi-core deltas, but the difference is marginal.

Contextualizing the wins: The Intel Core i3-6320's closest rival in the aggregate data is the Intel Core i5-2450P, with an average score of 1086 and a delta of -0.1%. The AMD A12-9800's nearest competitor is the Intel Pentium Gold G6505T, scoring 1082 with a -0.1% delta. Both processors sit in the 30th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they are neither top-tier nor entry-level parts.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge significantly in their core and thread configurations. The Intel Core i3-6320 has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the AMD A12-9800 has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Intel chip's base clock is 3.90 GHz with no boost clock, whereas the AMD chip has a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz.

Thermal design power differs notably: the Intel part is rated at 51 W TDP, while the AMD part is rated at 65 W TDP. The sockets are incompatible, with the Intel using Socket 1151 and the AMD using Socket AM4.

Cache configurations are structured differently. The Intel chip has 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core, with 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip has 320 KB total L1 and 2 MB total L2, with no L3 cache listed. The AMD's L2 cache totals 2 MB, which is larger than the Intel's per-core L2 but lacks the shared L3 that the Intel provides.

Memory bandwidth favors the AMD chip at 38.4 GB/s versus the Intel's 34.1 GB/s, despite both using dual-channel DDR4. PCIe lane allocation also differs: the Intel provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD provides Gen 3 with 8 lanes (CPU only).

The process nodes are generations apart: the Intel uses 14 nm, while the AMD uses 28 nm. This explains the transistor and die size differences: the AMD packs 3,100 million transistors into 250 mm², while the Intel fits 1,400 million into 150 mm².

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide is substantial. The Intel Core i3-6320 is built on the Skylake architecture, manufactured by Intel on a 14 nm process. The AMD A12-9800 uses the Excavator architecture, codenamed Bristol Ridge, manufactured by GlobalFoundries on a 28 nm process. This process gap is a primary driver of the performance differences observed in the benchmarks.

The Intel chip's Skylake architecture features a shared 4 MB L3 cache, which is absent from the AMD's design. The AMD A12-9800 instead relies on a larger L2 cache pool of 2 MB. The Intel's per-core L1 and L2 caches are 64 KB and 256 KB respectively, while the AMD's total L1 is 320 KB and total L2 is 2 MB.

Both processors integrate graphics, but they come from different vendors and architectures. The Intel Core i3-6320 includes Intel HD 530 graphics, while the AMD A12-9800 includes Radeon R7 graphics. No direct graphics benchmarks are available in the data, so their relative GPU performance cannot be quantified here.

The release dates are nearly two years apart: the Intel Core i3-6320 launched on August 31, 2015, while the AMD A12-9800 launched on July 26, 2017. Both processors remain in active production status, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i3-6320 wins in: All five recorded CPU benchmarks, with consistent 19.4% to 19.6% margins. This includes every Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 test, both single-core and multi-core. The Intel chip's advantage is stable across different Cinebench generations, indicating it holds up well across varying workload intensities. For users whose primary concern is Cinebench rendering performance or similar CPU-bound tasks, the Intel part is demonstrably superior. The 14 nm process node also suggests better power efficiency per unit of work, though this is not directly benchmarked.

AMD A12-9800 wins in: The AMD chip has no recorded benchmark victories, but it offers attributes that may matter in specific use cases. It has 4 physical cores versus the Intel's 2, which could benefit workloads that are sensitive to physical core count rather than thread count. The higher boost clock of 4.20 GHz provides headroom for bursty workloads. The larger total L2 cache of 2 MB could help in cache-sensitive applications. The AMD part also has higher memory bandwidth at 38.4 GB/s and includes Radeon R7 integrated graphics, which may be more capable than Intel HD 530 for GPU tasks, though no benchmarks confirm this.

Use-case split: For CPU-centric computing, rendering, and multi-threaded productivity, the Intel Core i3-6320 is the data-backed choice. For users who need a processor with 4 physical cores, a higher boost clock, larger L2 cache, or AMD's integrated graphics solution, the A12-9800 fills that niche even though it loses every recorded CPU benchmark. The two chips occupy the same overall performance percentile (30th), so the decision ultimately hinges on platform preferences, integrated graphics needs, and specific workload characteristics not captured in the Cinebench suite.