A4-3420 vs Pentium E5500

A4-3420 vs Pentium E5500 Performance Spectrum

A4-3420

2 / 2

1,067

+0.3%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Pentium E5500

2 / 2

1,064

0.0%

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 E5500 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 E5500: 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

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $10 less on MSRP ($65 MSRP vs $75 MSRP).
✅Delivers 15.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 16.4 vs 14.2 PassMark/$ ($65 MSRP vs $75 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 6410D, while Pentium E5500 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Pentium E5500

2010

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,064 vs 1,067).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.2 vs 16.4 PassMark/$ ($75 MSRP vs $65 MSRP).
❌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 E5500?

Yes. A4-3420 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

For gaming, this matchup is basically a tie in the data we have.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, A4-3420 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?

A4-3420 is the better buy right now. A4-3420 comes in $10 cheaper on MSRP at $65 MSRP versus $75 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 15.7% better value on MSRP (16.4 vs 14.2 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

A4-3420 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2010) 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 E5500 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 E5500

The Pentium E5500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 18 April 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) 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: 2 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,064 points. Launch price was $109.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the A4-3420 and Pentium E5500 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the A4-3420 versus 2.8 GHz on the Pentium E5500 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The A4-3420 uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium E5500 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A4-3420 scores 1,067 against the Pentium E5500's 1,064 — a 0.3% lead for the A4-3420. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	A4-3420	Pentium E5500
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)	2 MB (total)+300%
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Llano (2011−2012)	Wolfdale (2008−2010)
PassMark	1,067	1,064
Geekbench 6 Single	300	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	500	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The A4-3420 uses the FM1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium E5500 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A4-3420	Pentium E5500
Socket	FM1	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (A4-3420) / not specified (Pentium E5500). The A4-3420 includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6410D), while the Pentium E5500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A4-3420 targets Entry Desktop. Direct competitor: A4-3420 rivals Pentium G630.

Feature	A4-3420	Pentium E5500
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Radeon HD 6410D	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	AMD-V	—
Target Use	Entry Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the A4-3420 was priced at $65, while the Pentium E5500 came in at $75. On launch pricing ($65 vs $75), A4-3420 was $10 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the A4-3420 delivers 16.4 pts/$ vs 14.2 pts/$ for the Pentium E5500 — making the A4-3420 the 14.6% better value option.

Feature	A4-3420	Pentium E5500
MSRP	$65-13%	$75
Performance per Dollar	16.4+15%	14.2
Release Date	2011	2010

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