A6-3400M vs Core 2 Duo E4600
A6-3400M
Core 2 Duo E4600
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 A6-3400M is positioned at rank 869 and the Core 2 Duo E4600 is on rank 1006, so the A6-3400M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar A6-3400M
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo E4600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | A6-3400M | Core 2 Duo E4600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($9.6) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Llano (2011−2012) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Allendale (2006−2009) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | A6-3400M | Core 2 Duo E4600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($9.6) |
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 A6-3400M and Core 2 Duo E4600
A6-3400M
The A6-3400M is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Llano (2011−2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FS1. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,223 points. Launch price was $70.
Core 2 Duo E4600
The Core 2 Duo E4600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Allendale (2006−2009) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,235 points. Launch price was $249.
Processing Power
The A6-3400M packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core 2 Duo E4600 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the A6-3400M has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the A6-3400M versus 2.4 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E4600 — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E4600 (base: 1.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The A6-3400M uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core 2 Duo E4600 uses Allendale (2006−2009) (65 nm). In PassMark, the A6-3400M scores 1,223 against the Core 2 Duo E4600's 1,235 — a 1% lead for the Core 2 Duo E4600. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.
| Feature | A6-3400M | Core 2 Duo E4600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.3 GHz | 2.4 GHz+4% |
| Base Clock | 1.4 GHz | 2.4 GHz+71% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 2 MB+100% |
| Process | 32 nm-51% | 65 nm |
| Architecture | Llano (2011−2012) | Allendale (2006−2009) |
| PassMark | 1,223 | 1,235 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 218 | — |
Memory & Platform
The A6-3400M uses the FS1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo E4600 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the A6-3400M versus DDR2-800 on the Core 2 Duo E4600 — the A6-3400M supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core 2 Duo E4600 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (A6-3400M) vs 0 (Core 2 Duo E4600) — the A6-3400M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | A6-3400M | Core 2 Duo E4600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FS1 | LGA775 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333+50% | DDR2-800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | 16 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: AMD-V (A6-3400M) / not specified (Core 2 Duo E4600). The A6-3400M includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6520G), while the Core 2 Duo E4600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A6-3400M targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: A6-3400M rivals Core i3-2310M.
| Feature | A6-3400M | Core 2 Duo E4600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Radeon HD 6520G | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | — |
| Target Use | Budget Laptop | — |
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