A4 Micro-6400T vs Athlon II X2 235e

AMD

A4 Micro-6400T

4 Cores4 Thrd5 WWMax: 1.6 GHz2014
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Athlon II X2 235e

2 Cores2 Thrd45 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2009
Similar parts
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A4 Micro-6400T vs Athlon II X2 235e 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 Micro-6400T vs Athlon II X2 235e 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 Micro-6400T vs Athlon II X2 235e: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A4 Micro-6400T

2014

Why buy it

  • +0.3% higher PassMark.
  • Draws 5W instead of 45W, a 40W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon R3, while Athlon II X2 235e needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (180 vs 240).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon II X2 235e.

Athlon II X2 235e

2009

Why buy it

  • +33.3% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike A4 Micro-6400T.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,079 vs 1,082).
  • Launch MSRP is still $69 MSRP, while A4 Micro-6400T mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 800% higher power demand at 45W vs 5W.
  • No integrated graphics, while A4 Micro-6400T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is A4 Micro-6400T better than Athlon II X2 235e?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon II X2 235e is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 34 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, A4 Micro-6400T 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 Micro-6400T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
A4 Micro-6400T is still the much better call for a fresh build. A4 Micro-6400T comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $69 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. Athlon II X2 235e only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2009 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (15.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 Micro-6400T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A4 Micro-6400T vs Athlon II X2 235e Technical Specifications

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

AMD

A4 Micro-6400T

The A4 Micro-6400T is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 29 April 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Mullins (2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1 GHz, with boost up to 1.6 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FT3. Thermal design power (TDP): 5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,082 points. Launch price was $69.

AMD

Athlon II X2 235e

The Athlon II X2 235e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 October 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Regor (2009−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,079 points. Launch price was $84.

Processing Power

The A4 Micro-6400T packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Athlon II X2 235e offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the A4 Micro-6400T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.6 GHz on the A4 Micro-6400T versus 2.7 GHz on the Athlon II X2 235e — a 51.2% clock advantage for the Athlon II X2 235e (base: 1 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The A4 Micro-6400T uses the Mullins (2014) architecture (28 nm), while the Athlon II X2 235e uses Regor (2009−2013) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A4 Micro-6400T scores 1,082 against the Athlon II X2 235e's 1,079 — a 0.3% lead for the A4 Micro-6400T. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 180 vs 240, a 28.6% lead for the Athlon II X2 235e that directly translates to higher frame rates.

FeatureA4 Micro-6400TAthlon II X2 235e
Cores / Threads
4 / 4+100%
2 / 2
Boost Clock
1.6 GHz
2.7 GHz+69%
Base Clock
1 GHz
2.7 GHz+170%
L3 Cache
0 kB
L2 Cache
2048 kB+100%
1 MB
Process
28 nm-38%
45 nm
Architecture
Mullins (2014)
Regor (2009−2013)
PassMark
1,082
1,079
Geekbench 6 Single
180
240+33%
Geekbench 6 Multi
450
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Memory & Platform

The A4 Micro-6400T uses the FT3 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Athlon II X2 235e uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3L-1333 memory speed. The Athlon II X2 235e supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (A4 Micro-6400T) vs 2 (Athlon II X2 235e). PCIe lanes: 8 (A4 Micro-6400T) vs 0 (Athlon II X2 235e) — the A4 Micro-6400T offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureA4 Micro-6400TAthlon II X2 235e
Socket
FT3
AM3
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3L-1333
DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity
8 GB
16 GB+100%
RAM Channels
1
2+100%
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
8
0
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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AMD-V virtualization. The A4 Micro-6400T includes integrated graphics (Radeon R3), while the Athlon II X2 235e requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A4 Micro-6400T targets Tablet, Athlon II X2 235e targets Energy Efficient Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: A4 Micro-6400T rivals Atom Z3770; Athlon II X2 235e rivals Pentium E5300.

FeatureA4 Micro-6400TAthlon II X2 235e
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Radeon R3
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
AMD-V
Target Use
Tablet
Energy Efficient Legacy Desktop