A4-3420 vs Pentium 3556U

A4-3420 vs Pentium 3556U Performance Spectrum

A4-3420

2 / 2

1,067

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Pentium 3556U

2 / 2

1,072

+0.5%

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.

A4-3420 vs Pentium 3556U 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.

A4-3420 vs Pentium 3556U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A4-3420

2011

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 6410D, while Pentium 3556U needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Pentium 3556U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,067 vs 1,072).
❌Launch MSRP is still $65 MSRP, while Pentium 3556U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Pentium 3556U

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while A4-3420 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A4-3420.

Quick Answers

So, is A4-3420 better than Pentium 3556U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A4-3420 is ahead with a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 3556U pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 3556U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

A4-3420 is the better buy right now. A4-3420 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $65 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Pentium 3556U is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.5% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (16.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 3556U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A4-3420 vs Pentium 3556U Technical Specifications

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

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.

Pentium 3556U

The Pentium 3556U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 1.7 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,072 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the A4-3420 and Pentium 3556U share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the A4-3420 versus 1.7 GHz on the Pentium 3556U — a 48.9% clock advantage for the A4-3420 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The A4-3420 uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium 3556U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the A4-3420 scores 1,067 against the Pentium 3556U's 1,072 — a 0.5% lead for the Pentium 3556U. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A4-3420 vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 3556U.

Feature	A4-3420	Pentium 3556U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+65%	1.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+65%	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)+100%	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Llano (2011−2012)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	1,067	1,072
Geekbench 6 Single	300	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	500	—

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Memory & Platform

The A4-3420 uses the FM1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium 3556U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A4-3420	Pentium 3556U
Socket	FM1	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (A4-3420) / not specified (Pentium 3556U). The A4-3420 includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6410D), while the Pentium 3556U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A4-3420 targets Entry Desktop. Direct competitor: A4-3420 rivals Pentium G630.