AMD PRO A12-9800E

Launched in July 2017, the AMD PRO A12-9800E is a 4-core, 4-thread desktop processor built on the 28 nm Excavator architecture, specifically the Bristol Ridge generation. It operates with a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, and is designed for the AMD Socket AM4 platform. The chip integrates Radeon R7 graphics and sits in the low-power segment with a 35 W TDP, targeting business and mainstream desktops.

Benchmark Performance

The AMD PRO A12-9800E delivers a modest performance profile that places it in the 24th percentile of all CPUs tracked in the database. Its average benchmark score across multiple tests is 910, which aligns it closely with a cluster of low-to-mid-range Intel parts from several generations. The data shows a processor that is competitive with older dual-core and low-voltage quad-core designs, but it does not challenge modern mainstream desktop silicon.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the PRO A12-9800E scores 266. This is a single-generation result, but the more recent Cinebench R20 multi-core test shows a score of 1111, while the single-core score in the same test is 156. Moving to Cinebench R23, the multi-core score rises to 2646 and the single-core score reaches 373. These numbers reveal a pattern: the processor scales reasonably across synthetic multi-threaded workloads for its class, but single-thread performance is a clear limiting factor, likely a consequence of the Excavator architecture's age relative to newer designs.

Comparing the average score of 910 to its nearest rivals, the PRO A12-9800E is statistically tied with the Intel Core i3-4330T, which also scores 910, representing a 0% delta. The Intel Xeon W3540, a much older workstation part, scores 909, putting the AMD chip just 0.1% ahead. Meanwhile, the Intel Core i5-5300U scores 911, meaning the PRO A12-9800E trails it by 0.1%, and the Intel Core i5-4258U scores 906, with the AMD part leading by 0.4%. These tiny deltas—all within a single point—indicate that the PRO A12-9800E sits in a performance band where any of these rival chips could win in a given application depending on optimization. The single-core Cinebench R23 result of 373 is particularly telling; it is far below what modern entry-level parts achieve, suggesting that the chip will feel sluggish in lightly-threaded tasks like basic web browsing or office document editing, despite its quad-core configuration.

Power and Thermals

The AMD PRO A12-9800E carries a thermal design power (TDP) of just 35 watts. This places it firmly in the low-power class, a category typically reserved for ultra-compact desktops, all-in-one systems, and business machines where acoustic noise and heat dissipation are prioritized over raw throughput. The 28 nm manufacturing process, courtesy of GlobalFoundries, is not cutting-edge, which means the chip relies on its conservative power envelope to keep thermals manageable. The data indicates that a simple, low-profile air cooler is sufficient for this processor; there is no need for beefy tower coolers or liquid cooling solutions. The low TDP also implies that the chip can be paired with modest power delivery systems on motherboards, making it a viable option for small form factor builds. However, the trade-off is clear: the 35 W limit caps the sustained performance in multi-core workloads, as evidenced by the Cinebench scores that trail even some older low-voltage laptop parts. The integrated Radeon R7 graphics also share this power budget, so any gaming or GPU-accelerated tasks will further constrain the CPU's headroom, though the chip is not positioned for such duties anyway.

How It Compares

vs. Intel Core i3-4330T: These two processors are dead even in the database, with identical average scores of 910 and a delta of 0%. The i3-4330T is a dual-core with Hyper-Threading from a much older generation, yet it matches the quad-core AMD part in aggregate benchmarks. This suggests that the PRO A12-9800E's extra physical cores do not translate into a tangible advantage over Intel's older architecture in the mixed workload represented by the average score. In practice, the AMD chip may win in heavily multi-threaded scenarios, but the i3-4330T could edge ahead in single-threaded tasks given the same total score.

vs. Intel Xeon W3540: The Xeon W3540, a Nehalem-era quad-core without integrated graphics, scores 909, putting it just 0.1% behind the PRO A12-9800E. This is a remarkable result for the AMD part—it matches a server-class chip from roughly a decade prior, even with the Xeon's higher memory bandwidth and larger cache. The data shows that the PRO A12-9800E offers comparable aggregate compute performance to this legacy Xeon, but with far lower power consumption (35 W vs. the Xeon's much higher TDP, though that number is not in the pack). For a business desktop, that efficiency is a clear win.

vs. Intel Core i5-5300U: The i5-5300U, a 15-watt laptop chip from the Broadwell generation, scores 911, which is 0.1% higher than the PRO A12-9800E. This is a close call, but the i5-5300U achieves it with dramatically lower power draw and a more modern architecture. The AMD part's edge in raw multi-core throughput (4 full cores vs. 2 cores with Hyper-Threading) is nearly negated by the i5's superior IPC. For a desktop chip, matching a mobile part within a single point is not a strong showing—it highlights how far behind the Excavator architecture is on a per-watt basis.

vs. Intel Core i5-4258U: The i5-4258U, another low-voltage laptop chip, scores 906, making the PRO A12-9800E 0.4% faster. This is the largest margin in the rival group, but it is still negligible in real-world terms. The i5-4258U also features Intel Iris graphics, which are typically stronger than the Radeon R7 in the AMD part, though that is not quantified in the benchmark data. The standings show that the PRO A12-9800E is essentially interchangeable with this ultra-low-voltage chip in CPU-bound tasks, which is a poor result for a desktop part that consumes more power.

FAQ

Q: How many cores and threads does the AMD PRO A12-9800E have?

A: The processor has 4 cores and 4 threads, with no Hyper-Threading or SMT capability.

Q: What is the boost clock speed of this processor?

A: The base clock is 3.10 GHz, and it boosts up to 3.80 GHz under load.

Q: Does the PRO A12-9800E support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported. It uses dual-channel DDR4 memory.

Q: What integrated graphics does it feature?

A: It includes Radeon R7 graphics, which are integrated directly onto the chip.

Q: How does it compare to the Intel Core i3-4330T in average benchmark score?

A: The two processors have identical average scores of 910, with a 0% delta between them.

Q: Is the processor unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, the multiplier is locked, so overclocking is not supported.

Platform and Compatibility

The AMD PRO A12-9800E is built for the AMD Socket AM4 platform, which is a versatile and long-lived socket that has supported multiple generations of AMD processors. The chip uses the Excavator architecture under the Bristol Ridge codename, and it is manufactured on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries, with 3,100 million transistors on a 250 mm² die. Memory support is limited to dual-channel DDR4, and the memory controller does not support ECC, which is a consideration for users who require error-correcting memory for professional work. For PCIe, the CPU provides 8 Gen 3 lanes, which is a modest allocation; this limits the bandwidth available for discrete GPUs or high-speed NVMe storage, though it is sufficient for basic expansion cards. The chip is produced for the desktop market segment and is listed as having an active production status, meaning it can still be sourced for new builds. The part number is AD980BAHM44AB.

The socket AM4 platform provides a clear upgrade path for users who start with this processor. Because AM4 supports a wide range of CPUs from the Bristol Ridge generation through later Ryzen architectures, a user could theoretically move to a more powerful processor without changing the motherboard, provided the board's BIOS is updated. However, the PRO A12-9800E itself is a low-power entry point, and its 35 W TDP means it is best suited for basic office productivity, light multitasking, and media consumption. The 8-lane PCIe Gen 3 connection is a bottleneck for serious GPU workloads, so this chip is not intended for gaming or content creation rigs. The lack of ECC support further positions it as a consumer or business desktop part rather than a workstation component. The data suggests that the PRO A12-9800E is a competent, if unremarkable, processor for its intended segment, offering quad-core performance at a very low power draw, but it is outclassed by even some low-voltage laptop chips in aggregate benchmarks.