A4-6300B vs Athlon II X3 400e

A4-6300B vs Athlon II X3 400e Performance Spectrum

A4-6300B

2 / 2

1,328

+0.6%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Athlon II X3 400e

3 / 3

1,320

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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.

A4-6300B vs Athlon II X3 400e 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.

A4-6300B vs Athlon II X3 400e: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A4-6300B

2013

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 8370D, while Athlon II X3 400e needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Athlon II X3 400e.

Trade-offs

❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Athlon II X3 400e

2009

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,320 vs 1,328).
❌Launch MSRP is still $100 MSRP, while A4-6300B mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while A4-6300B can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A4-6300B.

Quick Answers

So, is A4-6300B better than Athlon II X3 400e?

Yes. A4-6300B is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.6% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, A4-6300B is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, A4-6300B is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

A4-6300B is still the much better call for a fresh build. A4-6300B comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $100 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Athlon II X3 400e only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2009 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (13.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3.

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

A4-6300B makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 3/3. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A4-6300B vs Athlon II X3 400e Technical Specifications

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

A4-6300B

The A4-6300B is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Richland (2013−2014) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,328 points. Launch price was $50.

Athlon II X3 400e

The Athlon II X3 400e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 October 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Rana (2009−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,320 points. Launch price was $107.

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Processing Power

The A4-6300B packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Athlon II X3 400e offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Athlon II X3 400e has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the A4-6300B versus 2.2 GHz on the Athlon II X3 400e — a 55.7% clock advantage for the A4-6300B (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The A4-6300B uses the Richland (2013−2014) architecture (32 nm), while the Athlon II X3 400e uses Rana (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A4-6300B scores 1,328 against the Athlon II X3 400e's 1,320 — a 0.6% lead for the A4-6300B.

Feature	A4-6300B	Athlon II X3 400e
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	3 / 3+50%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+77%	2.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+68%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	—	0 kB
L2 Cache	1 MB (total)+100%	512 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Richland (2013−2014)	Rana (2009−2011)
PassMark	1,328	1,320
Geekbench 6 Single	415	—

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Memory & Platform

The A4-6300B uses the FM2 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Athlon II X3 400e uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the A4-6300B versus DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X3 400e — the A4-6300B supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (A4-6300B) vs 0 (Athlon II X3 400e) — the A4-6300B offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A55,A58,A68H,A75,A78,A88X (A4-6300B) and AMD AM3 (Athlon II X3 400e).

Feature	A4-6300B	Athlon II X3 400e
Socket	FM2	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600+20%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	0

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (A4-6300B) / not specified (Athlon II X3 400e). The A4-6300B includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 8370D), while the Athlon II X3 400e requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A4-6300B targets Business Desktop. Direct competitor: A4-6300B rivals Pentium G3240.