CPU
GPU
A4-3420
Celeron B840
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The A4-3420 is positioned at rank 875 and the Celeron B840 is on rank 1028, so the A4-3420 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar A4-3420
Performance Per Dollar Celeron B840
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | A4-3420 | Celeron B840 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Llano (2011−2012) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | A4-3420 | Celeron B840 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+100%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of A4-3420 and Celeron B840
A4-3420
The A4-3420 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Llano (2011−2012) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM1. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,067 points. Launch price was $50.
Celeron B840
The Celeron B840 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 July 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,065 points. Launch price was $86.
Processing Power
Both the A4-3420 and Celeron B840 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the A4-3420 versus 1.9 GHz on the Celeron B840 — a 38.3% clock advantage for the A4-3420 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The A4-3420 uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Celeron B840 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the A4-3420 scores 1,067 against the Celeron B840's 1,065 — a 0.2% lead for the A4-3420. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 300 vs 450, a 40% lead for the Celeron B840 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 500 vs 790 (45% advantage for the Celeron B840). L3 cache: 0 kB on the A4-3420 vs 2 MB (total) on the Celeron B840.
| Feature | A4-3420 | Celeron B840 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.8 GHz+47% | 1.9 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz+47% | 1.9 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 2 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core)+100% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Llano (2011−2012) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,067 | 1,065 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 300 | 450+50% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 500 | 790+58% |
Memory & Platform
The A4-3420 uses the FM1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron B840 uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the A4-3420 versus 1333 on the Celeron B840 — the Celeron B840 supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The A4-3420 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: A55,A75,A85X (A4-3420) and HM65,HM67,QM67 (Celeron B840).
| Feature | A4-3420 | Celeron B840 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FM1 | PGA988 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | 1333+44333% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB+209715100% | 16 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A4-3420) vs true (Celeron B840). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon HD 6410D (A4-3420) and Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge) (Celeron B840) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A4-3420 targets Entry Desktop, Celeron B840 targets Budget. Direct competitor: A4-3420 rivals Pentium G630; Celeron B840 rivals Pentium B940.
| Feature | A4-3420 | Celeron B840 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Radeon HD 6410D | Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge) |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | true |
| Target Use | Entry Desktop | Budget |
Value Analysis
The A4-3420 launched at $65 MSRP, while the Celeron B840 debuted at $86. At current prices ($30 vs $15), the Celeron B840 is $15 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the A4-3420 delivers 35.6 pts/$ vs 71.0 pts/$ for the Celeron B840 — making the Celeron B840 the 66.5% better value option.
| Feature | A4-3420 | Celeron B840 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $65-24% | $86 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $30 | $15-50% |
| Performance per Dollar | 35.6 | 71.0+99% |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2011 |
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