A4-1250 vs Pentium J2900

AMD

A4-1250

2 Cores2 Thrd8 WWMax: 1 GHz2013
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Pentium J2900

4 Cores4 Thrd2 WWMax: 2.66 GHz2013
Similar parts
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A4-1250 vs Pentium J2900 Performance Spectrum

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.

A4-1250 vs Pentium J2900 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.

A4-1250 vs Pentium J2900: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A4-1250

2013

Why buy it

  • +0.3% higher PassMark.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 8210, while Pentium J2900 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • 6.4% HIGHER MSRP
    $100 MSRPvs$94 MSRP
  • 300% higher power demand at 8W vs 2W.

Pentium J2900

2013

Why buy it

  • Costs $6 less on MSRP ($94 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
  • Draws 2W instead of 8W, a 6W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,254 vs 1,258).
  • No integrated graphics, while A4-1250 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium J2900 better than A4-1250?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium J2900 is ahead with a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, A4-1250 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, A4-1250 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Pentium J2900 is the better buy right now. Pentium J2900 comes in $6 cheaper on MSRP at $94 MSRP versus $100 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that A4-1250 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.3% better PassMark. It is also 6.0% better value on MSRP (13.3 vs 12.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Pentium J2900 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

A4-1250 vs Pentium J2900 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

A4-1250

The A4-1250 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Temash (2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FT3. Thermal design power (TDP): 8 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,258 points. Launch price was $50.

Intel

Pentium J2900

The Pentium J2900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 November 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Bay Trail-D (2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.41 GHz, with boost up to 2.66 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,254 points. Launch price was $94.

Processing Power

The A4-1250 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Pentium J2900 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium J2900 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1 GHz on the A4-1250 versus 2.66 GHz on the Pentium J2900 — a 90.7% clock advantage for the Pentium J2900. The A4-1250 uses the Temash (2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium J2900 uses Bay Trail-D (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the A4-1250 scores 1,258 against the Pentium J2900's 1,254 — a 0.3% lead for the A4-1250. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A4-1250 vs 2 MB L2 Cache on the Pentium J2900.

FeatureA4-1250Pentium J2900
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock
1 GHz
2.66 GHz+166%
Base Clock
2.41 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
2 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache
512K (per core)+25500%
2 MB
Process
32 nm
22 nm-31%
Architecture
Temash (2013)
Bay Trail-D (2013)
PassMark
1,258
1,254
Geekbench 6 Single
111
Geekbench 6 Multi
188
🧠

Memory & Platform

The A4-1250 uses the FT3 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium J2900 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureA4-1250Pentium J2900
Socket
FT3
FCBGA1170
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3L 1333 MHz
Max RAM Capacity
8 GB
RAM Channels
1
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
8
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (A4-1250) / not specified (Pentium J2900). The A4-1250 includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 8210), while the Pentium J2900 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A4-1250 targets Tablet. Direct competitor: A4-1250 rivals Atom Z3740.

FeatureA4-1250Pentium J2900
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Radeon HD 8210
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
true
Target Use
Tablet
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the A4-1250 was priced at $100, while the Pentium J2900 came in at $94. On launch pricing ($100 vs $94), Pentium J2900 was $6 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the A4-1250 delivers 12.6 pts/$ vs 13.3 pts/$ for the Pentium J2900 — making the Pentium J2900 the 5.9% better value option.

FeatureA4-1250Pentium J2900
MSRP
$100
$94-6%
Performance per Dollar
12.6
13.3+6%
Release Date
2013
2013

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