CPU Comparison
AMD A12-9800E
A8-7680
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: AMD A12-9800E vs AMD A8-7680
The AMD A8-7680 and AMD A12-9800E are two quad-core Excavator-based desktop processors that occupy nearly the same performance tier, yet they represent two distinct platform generations. The data shows a consistent, if narrow, advantage for the A8-7680 across every Cinebench workload tested, with the A12-9800E offering a lower thermal envelope and a more modern memory interface in return.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The benchmark results are remarkably one-sided in favor of the AMD A8-7680, which wins all five head-to-head comparisons. The margins, however, are consistently slim, ranging from 2% to 2.3%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the A8-7680 scores 303 against 297 for the A12-9800E, a 2% lead. That pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, with scores of 1264 and 1239 respectively, again a 2% delta. The single-core results tell the same story: the A8-7680 posts 178 in Cinebench R20 single-core versus 174, a 2.3% edge, the largest gap in the entire comparison.
The most substantial absolute difference appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the A8-7680 reaches 3011 points and the A12-9800E trails at 2950, a 2.1% difference. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 425 against 416, a 2.2% lead for the A8-7680. While no single benchmark produces a decisive victory, the consistency of the result is notable: the A8-7680 never loses a test. The average benchmark scores corroborate this, with the A8-7680 at 1036 and the A12-9800E at 1033.
This narrow but uniform advantage places both chips at the same overall performance percentile, the 28th percentile among all CPUs, and their nearest rival lists are nearly interchangeable. The A8-7680's closest competitor is the AMD A10-7890K with a delta of 0.1%, while the A12-9800E sits just 0.3% behind the A8-7680 itself. The Intel Core i7-4558U and AMD A10-9700 also bracket this performance range, confirming that both AMD parts are firmly in the entry-level desktop segment. The A12-9800E does carry one additional benchmark result not present for the A8-7680: a Geekbench multi-core score of 1521 and single-core score of 631, though no direct comparison is available for those tests.
Architecture Differences
Both processors are built on Excavator architecture at a 28nm process node from GlobalFoundries, with identical transistor counts of 3,100 million and die sizes of 250 mm². The core configurations match exactly: 4 cores, 4 threads, 320 KB of L1 cache, and 2 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache on either part. The integrated graphics are also identical in name, Radeon R7, and both lack ECC memory support and unlocked multipliers.
The architectural divergence begins with the platform itself. The A8-7680 is a Carrizo-generation part on the AMD Socket FM2+, while the A12-9800E is from the Bristol Ridge generation on the AMD Socket AM4. This is the single most important platform distinction, as it dictates memory compatibility. The A8-7680 supports DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration with a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The A12-9800E, by contrast, supports DDR4 memory in dual-channel, though its memory bandwidth figure is not listed in the data.
The base clock speeds differ meaningfully: the A8-7680 runs at 3.50 GHz base, while the A12-9800E is lower at 3.10 GHz. Both processors boost to the identical 3.80 GHz maximum. This 0.40 GHz base-clock advantage for the A8-7680 likely explains its consistent lead in Cinebench tests, given the otherwise identical architecture and cache structure. The A12-9800E compensates with a lower thermal design power of 35 watts versus 45 watts for the A8-7680, a 10-watt difference that makes the AM4 part more power-efficient at the cost of base frequency.
PCIe connectivity also differs slightly. The A8-7680 lists PCIe Gen 3 without lane restrictions, while the A12-9800E specifies PCIe Gen 3 with 8 lanes for the CPU only. The release dates are separated by roughly 15 months, with the A12-9800E launching on July 26, 2017, and the A8-7680 following on October 25, 2018. Both parts remain in active production, and neither has a listed launch MSRP.
FAQ
Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?
A: The AMD A8-7680 wins all multi-core Cinebench tests. It scores 303 in Cinebench R15, 1264 in R20, and 3011 in R23, compared to the A12-9800E's 297, 1239, and 2950 respectively. The advantage is consistent at 2% to 2.1%.
Q: Do both CPUs use the same socket?
A: No. The A8-7680 uses AMD Socket FM2+, while the A12-9800E uses AMD Socket AM4. This means they are not platform-compatible and require different motherboards.
Q: What memory types do they support?
A: The A8-7680 supports DDR3 memory with dual-channel operation and a bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The A12-9800E supports DDR4 memory in dual-channel, though its bandwidth figure is not provided.
Q: How do the power requirements compare?
A: The A12-9800E has a 35-watt TDP, which is 10 watts lower than the A8-7680's 45-watt TDP. This makes the A12-9800E the more power-efficient option despite its lower base clock.
Q: Are the integrated graphics the same on both?
A: Yes, both processors feature Radeon R7 integrated graphics. Neither has an unlocked multiplier, and both lack ECC memory support.
Q: What is the performance gap in the closest benchmark?
A: The smallest gap is 2%, seen in Cinebench R15 multi-core and Cinebench R20 multi-core. The largest gap is 2.3% in Cinebench R20 single-core.
Specification Differences
| Specification | AMD A8-7680 | AMD A12-9800E |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.10 GHz |
| Boost Clock | 3.80 GHz | 3.80 GHz |
| TDP | 45 W | 35 W |
| Socket | AMD Socket FM2+ | AMD Socket AM4 |
| Codename | Carrizo | Bristol Ridge |
| Generation | A8 (Carrizo) | A12 (Bristol Ridge) |
| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | Not specified |
| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 3, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |
| Release Date | 2018-10-25 | 2017-07-26 |
| Part Number | AD7680ACABBOX, AD7680ACABCBX | AD9800AHM44AB |
| Geekbench Multi-core | Not specified | 1521 |
| Geekbench Single-core | Not specified | 631 |
Shared specifications include 4 cores, 4 threads, 28nm process node, GlobalFoundries foundry, 3,100 million transistors, 250 mm² die size, 320 KB L1 cache, 2 MB L2 cache, no L3 cache, Radeon R7 integrated graphics, dual-channel memory bus, no ECC support, no unlocked multiplier, and desktop market segment.
The Verdict
The data presents a clear performance hierarchy: the AMD A8-7680 is the faster processor in every measured Cinebench workload, with advantages between 2% and 2.3%. Its higher 3.50 GHz base clock, compared to 3.10 GHz for the A12-9800E, appears to be the decisive factor, as both chips share identical core counts, cache sizes, architecture, and boost clocks. For users prioritizing raw benchmark scores, the A8-7680 is the stronger choice.
However, the A12-9800E is not without merit. Its 35-watt TDP makes it significantly more power-efficient than the 45-watt A8-7680, and its DDR4 memory support on the AM4 platform provides a more modern upgrade path and memory ecosystem. The A12-9800E also carries a 15-month earlier release date, meaning it has a longer established presence in the market. Users with an existing AM4 motherboard or those building a low-power system would reasonably select the A12-9800E despite its slight performance deficit. Conversely, users on the FM2+ platform or those who require maximum Cinebench throughput from these two options should choose the A8-7680.
The near-identical average benchmark scores, 1036 versus 1033, and the shared 28th percentile ranking suggest that in real-world mixed workloads, the differences will be subtle. Both processors sit within 0.3% of each other in the rival comparison, and both are bracketed by the same competitors: the AMD A10-7890K, Intel Core i7-4558U, and AMD A10-9700. The verdict hinges on platform and power priorities rather than raw capability, since the performance delta is real but marginal.