A6-3400M vs Pentium 997

A6-3400M vs Pentium 997 Performance Spectrum

A6-3400M

4 / 4

1,223

+0.7%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Pentium 997

2 / 2

1,215

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.

A6-3400M vs Pentium 997 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.

A6-3400M vs Pentium 997: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A6-3400M

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 6520G, while Pentium 997 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌105.9% higher power demand at 35W vs 17W.

Pentium 997

2012

Why buy it

✅Draws 17W instead of 35W, a 18W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A6-3400M across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,215 vs 1,223).
❌Launch MSRP is still $134 MSRP, while A6-3400M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while A6-3400M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is A6-3400M better than Pentium 997?

Yes. A6-3400M is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.7% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, A6-3400M is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.1% 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, A6-3400M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

A6-3400M is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. A6-3400M comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium 997 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 5.1% in the shared gaming data.

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

Pentium 997 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A6-3400M vs Pentium 997 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Pentium 997

The Pentium 997 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,215 points. Launch price was $134.

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Processing Power

The A6-3400M packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium 997 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the A6-3400M has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the A6-3400M versus 1.6 GHz on the Pentium 997 — a 35.9% clock advantage for the A6-3400M (base: 1.4 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The A6-3400M uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium 997 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the A6-3400M scores 1,223 against the Pentium 997's 1,215 — a 0.7% lead for the A6-3400M. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A6-3400M vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 997.

Feature	A6-3400M	Pentium 997
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz+44%	1.6 GHz
Base Clock	1.4 GHz	1.6 GHz+14%
L3 Cache	0 kB	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Llano (2011−2012)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,223	1,215
Geekbench 6 Single	218	—

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Memory & Platform

The A6-3400M uses the FS1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium 997 uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A6-3400M	Pentium 997
Socket	FS1	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (A6-3400M) / not specified (Pentium 997). The A6-3400M includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6520G), while the Pentium 997 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A6-3400M targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: A6-3400M rivals Core i3-2310M.