OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Processors Methodology v1.0
Processors Methodology v1.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Processors Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Processors Methodology v1.0

AMD A12 9720P Review | 78 Data compared

Avg. price:~£200PassMark benchmark result:2636N. of physical cores:4CPU boost clock speed:3.6 GHzCPU socket:FP4TDP (Thermal design power):15 W

AMD A12 9720P Review: Compare 78 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Processors category and whether it is worth buying.

3.8/10

Overall score

Score
3.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the processor's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best processors on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 92% of models
Score components

90%

3.8

Technical score

10%

?

User score

â–¼Worse than 92% of processors
5.5

Value for money

Value for money
5.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the processor's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a processor with a good balance between performance, efficiency, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 92% of models
Score components

70%

3.8

Overall score

30%

9.5

Price

â–¼Worse than 92%
3.8

Technical score

Technical score
3.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the processor's technical performance, covering key areas such as processing performance, core configuration, efficiency, platform support, integrated features, and thermal behavior.
When it matters
When you want to compare processors based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 91% of models
Score components

60%

3.1

Performance

18%

3.5

Cache & Architecture

10%

3.7

Memory & PCIe

7%

7.7

Power & Thermal

4%

8.0

Platform

1%

6.6

Integrated Graphics

â–¼Worse than 91%
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the processor.
When it matters
When you want to know how a processor performs in real workloads and how reliable it is for gaming, productivity, and efficiency according to user feedback.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 91% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

  • No image
No image
Best prices
    N/A~ £200
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of processor AMD A12 9720P

Technical score
Technical score
3.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the processor's technical performance, covering key areas such as processing performance, core configuration, efficiency, platform support, integrated features, and thermal behavior.
When it matters
When you want to compare processors based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 91% of models
Score components:

60%

3.1

Performance

18%

3.5

Cache & Architecture

10%

3.7

Memory & PCIe

7%

7.7

Power & Thermal

4%

8.0

Platform

1%

6.6

Integrated Graphics

3.8
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the processor.
When it matters
When you want to know how a processor performs in real workloads and how reliable it is for gaming, productivity, and efficiency according to user feedback.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 91% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the processor.
When it matters
When you prefer to choose a processor reviewed and selected by many other buyers.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Popularity:
AMD A12 9720P has a popularity score of 1 point, which is higher than that of 0% of products in this category.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
5.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the processor's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a processor with a good balance between performance, efficiency, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 92% of models
Score components:

70%

3.8

Overall score

30%

9.5

Price

5.5
Brand name
AMD
Processor type
mobile
This processor belongs to the mobile processor class, which is more advanced than that of 7.3% of processors and equal to that of 48.6% of processors.
CPU socket
FP4
This processor uses the FP4 CPU socket, which is older than that of 60.6% of processors and equal to that of 0.7% of processors.
Chipset
X370, B350, A320
This processor supports X370, B350, A320 chipsets, which is broader compatibility than 66.3% of processors and equal to that of 0.3% of processors.
CPU architecture
x86-64
This processor uses the x86-64 architecture, which is more advanced than that of 1.7% of processors and equal to that of 98.3% of processors.
Show more
N. of physical cores
4
Market range: <2 – >12
This processor has 4 CPU cores, which is fewer than 50.7% of processors and equal to 28.5% of processors.
CPU threads
4
Market range: <4 – >24
This processor offers 4 CPU threads, which is fewer than 67.4% of processors and equal to 26.5% of processors.
Threads per core
1
Market range: <0 – >2.5
This processor offers 1 threads per core, which is fewer than 69.8% of processors and equal to 30.2% of processors.
CPU boost clock speed
3.6 GHz
Market range: <3 GHz – >5.5 GHz
This processor reaches a boost clock of 3.6 GHz which is lower than that of 76.7% of processors and equal to that of 3.6% of processors.
CPU base clock speed
4x 2.7 GHz
This processor has a base clock of 4x2.7 GHz which is lower than that of 63.9% of processors and equal to that of 1.4% of processors.
Show more
Semiconductor size
28 nm
Market range: <4 nm – >24 nm
This processor uses a 28 nm process node, which is older than that of 94.7% of processors and equal to that of 3% of processors.
Foundry
GlobalFoundries 28 nm
This processor is built on the GlobalFoundries 28 nm foundry process, which is less advanced than that of 94.8% of processors and equal to that of 2.9% of processors.
L3 cache
0 MB
Market range: <2 MB – >32 MB
This processor has an L3 cache of 0 MB which is smaller than that of 93.6% of processors and equal to that of 6.4% of processors.
L2 cache
2 MB
Market range: <1 MB – >16 MB
This processor has an L2 cache of 2 MB which is smaller than that of 51% of processors and equal to that of 11.2% of processors.
L1 cache
320 KB
Market range: <128 KB – >1.2k KB
This processor has an L1 cache of 320 KB which is smaller than that of 55.2% of processors and equal to that of 4.1% of processors.
Show more
DDR memory version
DDR4
This processor supports DDR DDR4, which is newer than that of 26.3% of processors and equal to that of 31.7% of processors.
Maximum memory speed
1,866 MHz
Market range: <1.5k MHz – >6.5k MHz
This processor supports memory speeds up to 1,866 MHz, which is lower than that of 84.4% of processors and equal to 2.7% of processors.
Max memory speed (JEDEC)
DDR4-1866 MHz
This processor supports JEDEC memory speeds up to DDR4-1866 MHz, which is lower than that of 85.6% of processors and equal to 0.5% of processors.
Max memory speed (XMP / EXPO)
N/A
Maximum memory capacity
32 GB
Market range: <32 GB – >256 GB
This processor supports up to 32 GB of memory, which is less than 71.9% of processors and equal to 19.5% of processors.
Show more
Integrated graphics
yes
This processor includes integrated graphics. 12.4% of processors include integrated graphics.
Integrated GPU model
Radeon R7
This processor uses the Radeon R7 integrated GPU, which is less advanced than that in 82.5% of processors and equal to that in 1.3% of processors.
Integrated GPU execution units
8
Market range: <6 – >64
This processor has 8 GPU execution units, which is fewer than 74% of processors and equal to 7.2% of processors.
Integrated GPU base frequency
758 MHz
Market range: <300 MHz – >800 MHz
This processor has an integrated GPU clock of 758 MHz which is higher than that of 86.2% of processors and equal to that of 0.1% of processors.
Integrated media encoders/decoders
H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode)
This processor supports H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode) media codecs, which is broader support than 56.2% of processors and equal to 9.5% of processors.
Show more
TDP (Thermal design power)
15 W
Market range: <15 W – >90 W
This processor has a TDP of 15 W which is lower than that of 78% of processors and equal to that of 16% of processors.
Base power (PL1)
15 W
Market range: <15 W – >90 W
This processor has a base power of 15 W which is lower than that of 77.2% of processors and equal to that of 16.3% of processors.
Boost power (PL2)
?
Tau (power duration limit)
N/A
Configurable TDP
yes
This processor supports configurable TDP. 47.3% of processors support configurable TDP.
cTDP: 12-15 W
Show more

AMD A12 9720P vs the average processor

246810TotalPlatformPerformanceCache & ArchitectureMemory & PCIeIntegrated GraphicsPower & Thermal
  • 10 °C lower CPU temperature
    This processor has a lower CPU temperature than the average processor (90 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor runs at a CPU temperature of 100 °C.
    90 °C vs 100 °C
  • 66.7% lower base power
    This processor has a lower base power draw than the average processor (15 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
    15 W vs 45 W
  • 2x more L2 per core
    This processor has more L2 cache per core than the average processor (1 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.
    1 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core
  • Broader instruction support
    This processor supports a broader instruction set than the average processor (MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, FMA4, AES, BMI1, BMI2, XOP, TBM, AMD-V vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA).
    MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, FMA4, AES, BMI1, BMI2, XOP, TBM, AMD-V vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA
  • 66.7% lower TDP
    This processor has a lower TDP than the average processor (15 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.
    15 W vs 45 W
  • Supports Turbo Core
    This processor supports Turbo Core, the average processor does not. 1.00% of processors support Turbo Core.
    3.0 vs 2.0
  • 2.17x higher GPU clock speed
    This processor has a higher integrated GPU frequency than the average processor (758 MHz vs 350 MHz). The average processor has integrated GPU frequency of 350 MHz.
    758 MHz vs 350 MHz
  • Broader instruction support
    This processor supports a broader instruction set than the average processor (MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, FMA4, AES, BMI1, BMI2, XOP, TBM, AMD-V vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA).
    MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, FMA4, AES, BMI1, BMI2, XOP, TBM, AMD-V vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA
  • Supports Turbo Core
    This processor supports Turbo Core, the average processor does not. 1.00% of processors support Turbo Core.
    3.0 vs 2.0
  • 2x more L2 per core
    This processor has more L2 cache per core than the average processor (1 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.
    1 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core
  • 2.17x higher GPU clock speed
    This processor has a higher integrated GPU frequency than the average processor (758 MHz vs 350 MHz). The average processor has integrated GPU frequency of 350 MHz.
    758 MHz vs 350 MHz
  • 66.7% lower base power
    This processor has a lower base power draw than the average processor (15 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
    15 W vs 45 W
  • 10 °C lower CPU temperature
    This processor has a lower CPU temperature than the average processor (90 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor runs at a CPU temperature of 100 °C.
    90 °C vs 100 °C
  • 66.7% lower TDP
    This processor has a lower TDP than the average processor (15 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.
    15 W vs 45 W
  • 89% lower multi-core score
    This processor has a lower Geekbench 6 multi-core score than the average processor (531 vs 4,829). The average processor scores 4,829 in Geekbench 6 multi-core.
    531 vs 4,829
  • 75.1% lower PassMark score
    This processor has a lower PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (2,636 vs 10,572.5). The average processor scores 10,572.5 in PassMark benchmark.
    2,636 vs 10,572.5
  • 48.3% weaker single-core performance
    This processor has a lower PassMark single-core score than the average processor (1,293 vs 2,500). The average processor scores 2,500 in PassMark single-core.
    1,293 vs 2,500
  • 63.9% lower single-core score
    This processor has a lower Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (531 vs 1,471). The average processor scores 1,471 in Geekbench 6 single-core.
    531 vs 1,471
  • Less advanced microarchitecture
    This processor uses a less advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Bristol Ridge vs Kaby Lake).
    Bristol Ridge vs Kaby Lake
  • 2.33x larger process node
    This processor has a higher process node than the average processor (28 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
    28 nm vs 12 nm
  • 16.3% lower boost clock
    This processor has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (3.6 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.
    3.6 GHz vs 4.3 GHz
  • 2 fewer CPU cores
    This processor has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (4 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
    4 vs 6
  • 19.2% worse value for money
    AMD A12 9720P has worse value for money than the average processor (5.5 vs 6.6).
    5.5 vs 6.56
  • No crypto acceleration
    This processor does not include crypto acceleration, the average processor does. 0.00% of processors include crypto acceleration.
    AES vs AES, SHA
  • 3 years older release date
    This processor has an older release date than the average processor (2017 vs 2020).
    July 2017
    2017 vs 2020
  • Older TPM support
    This processor supports an older TPM version than the average processor (fTPM 2 vs PTT 2).
    fTPM 2.0 vs PTT 2.0
  • 89% lower multi-core score
    This processor has a lower Geekbench 6 multi-core score than the average processor (531 vs 4,829). The average processor scores 4,829 in Geekbench 6 multi-core.
    531 vs 4,829
  • 75.1% lower PassMark score
    This processor has a lower PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (2,636 vs 10,572.5). The average processor scores 10,572.5 in PassMark benchmark.
    2,636 vs 10,572.5
  • 48.3% weaker single-core performance
    This processor has a lower PassMark single-core score than the average processor (1,293 vs 2,500). The average processor scores 2,500 in PassMark single-core.
    1,293 vs 2,500
  • 63.9% lower single-core score
    This processor has a lower Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (531 vs 1,471). The average processor scores 1,471 in Geekbench 6 single-core.
    531 vs 1,471
  • 16.3% lower boost clock
    This processor has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (3.6 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.
    3.6 GHz vs 4.3 GHz
  • 2 fewer CPU cores
    This processor has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (4 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
    4 vs 6
  • 4 fewer CPU threads
    This processor has fewer CPU threads than the average processor (4 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.
    4 vs 8
  • No multithreading support
    This processor does not support multithreading, the average processor does. 74.2% of processors support multithreading.
  • 1 fewer threads per core
    This processor has fewer threads per core than the average processor (1 vs 2). The average processor offers 2 threads per core.
    1 vs 2
  • Lower base clock
    This processor has a lower base clock than the average processor (4x2.7 GHz vs 4x3.3 GHz).
    4x2.7 GHz vs 4x3.3 GHz
  • 37.5% lower bus transfer rate
    This processor has a lower bus transfer rate than the average processor (5 GT/s vs 8 GT/s). The average processor offers bus transfer rate of 8 GT/s.
    5 GT/s vs 8 GT/s
  • Less advanced microarchitecture
    This processor uses a less advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Bristol Ridge vs Kaby Lake).
    Bristol Ridge vs Kaby Lake
  • 2.33x larger process node
    This processor has a higher process node than the average processor (28 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
    28 nm vs 12 nm
  • 41.2% larger die size
    This processor has a higher die size than the average processor (250 mm² vs 177 mm²). The average processor has a die size of 177 mm².
    250 mm² vs 177 mm²
  • Less advanced foundry
    This processor uses a less advanced foundry process than the average processor (GlobalFoundries 28 nm vs Intel 14 nm).
    GlobalFoundries 28 nm vs Intel 14 nm
  • 20% smaller L2 cache
    This processor has a lower L2 cache than the average processor (2 MB vs 2.5 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 2.5 MB.
    2 MB vs 2.5 MB
  • 37.4% fewer transistors
    This processor has fewer transistors than the average processor (3.1 billion vs 4.95 billion). The average processor has 4.95 billion transistors.
    3.1 billion vs 4.95 billion
  • 8 fewer PCIe lanes
    This processor has fewer PCIe lanes than the average processor (8 vs 16). The average processor offers 16 PCIe lanes.
    8 vs 16
  • 34.7% lower memory bandwidth
    This processor has a lower memory bandwidth than the average processor (29.9 GB/s vs 45.8 GB/s). The average processor offers memory bandwidth of 45.8 GB/s.
    29.9 GB/s vs 45.8 GB/s
  • 36.4% lower memory speed
    This processor has a lower maximum memory speed than the average processor (1866 MHz vs 2933 MHz). The average processor supports memory speed of 2933 MHz.
    1,866 MHz vs 2,933 MHz
  • Lower JEDEC memory speed
    This processor has a lower JEDEC memory speed than the average processor (DDR4-1866 MHz vs DDR4-3200 MHz). The average processor supports JEDEC memory speed of DDR4-3200 MHz.
    DDR4-1,866 MHz vs DDR4-3,200 MHz
  • 50% less memory capacity
    This processor has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average processor (32 GB vs 64 GB). The average processor supports 64 GB of memory.
    32 GB vs 64 GB
  • Inferior integrated GPU
    This processor uses an inferior integrated GPU to the average processor (Radeon R7 vs Intel UHD Graphics 630).
    Radeon R7 vs Intel UHD Graphics 630
  • 66.7% fewer GPU execution units
    This processor has fewer GPU execution units than the average processor (8 vs 24). The average processor has 24 GPU execution units.
    8 vs 24
  • Narrower media codec support
    This processor supports fewer media codecs than the average processor (H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode) vs H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), AV1 (HW decode)).
    H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode) vs H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), AV1 (HW decode)
  • 10 °C lower TJ Max
    This processor has a lower TJ Max than the average processor (90 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor has a TJ Max of 100 °C.
    90 °C vs 100 °C

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

4.0
jevonrulez16
≈ estimated
18/02/2022
Hands-on test · King of Fighters XV at lowest settings
Verdict
AMD A12-9720P struggles here: the CPU stays pegged and the game barely holds 30 fps.
5.0
jevonrulez16
≈ estimated
16/02/2022
Hands-on gaming test · Sifu performance on laptop
Verdict
AMD A12-9720P starts well, but the APU throttles and bottlenecks, which makes it a poor gaming chip.
4.0
jevonrulez16
≈ estimated
16/02/2022
Hands-on test · Tomb Raider 2013 at 720p
Verdict
AMD A12-9720P is not worth buying in 2022: it holds about 30 fps at 720p, but the CPU and GPU constantly throttle.
4.0
jevonrulez16
≈ estimated
16/02/2022
Gaming benchmark · Resident Evil 3 at low settings
Verdict
AMD A12-9720P is too slow and throttles hard for practical gaming, suitable only for very old games.
Not graded
Not graded
Not graded
Overview video
Not graded

Third-party reviews

What we like about AMD A12 9720P

  • Integrated Radeon R7 graphics perform better than contemporary Intel entry-level integrated solutions
  • Affordably priced option for budget-conscious business and general computing needs
  • Capable of handling basic daily activities like web browsing, video streaming, and office work
  • Low TDP (15W) makes it suitable for thin and portable 12-inch to 15-inch notebooks
  • Provides a 'true' quad-core experience for slightly better multi-thread performance compared to some budget dual-core chips
  • Can run older games (2015/2016) smoothly at low settings

What we don't like about AMD A12 9720P

  • Significantly lower single-thread performance compared to Intel Core i5 and i7 counterparts
  • Struggles with modern, demanding games, often leading to stuttering and low frame rates
  • Outdated 'Excavator' architecture is less power-efficient than newer 14nm or 7nm Ryzen processors
  • Prone to CPU and GPU throttling under heavy workloads, which can bottleneck performance
  • Inadequate for resource-heavy multitasking or professional applications like complex VMs and IDEs
  • Poor battery life compared to more modern Ryzen-based alternatives

Verdict

The AMD A12-9720P is a mainstream Bristol Ridge (7th Gen) quad-core processor for notebooks, released in 2017 with a base clock of 2.7 GHz and a boost up to 3.6 GHz. Built on a 28nm process with an Excavator architecture, it features an integrated Radeon R7 GPU with 512 shader units and a 15W TDP, making it a energy-efficient choice for thin laptops. Its main pros include competitive integrated graphics for its time, capable of handling light 2015-era gaming at low settings, and a dual-channel memory controller that supports DDR4-1866 RAM. However, its primary cons are aging performance that struggles with modern multitasking, poor single-thread efficiency compared to Intel counterparts of the same era, and significant performance drops under sustained heavy workloads due to thermal and power limitations.

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