A6-3420M vs Athlon X2 450

A6-3420M vs Athlon X2 450 Performance Spectrum

A6-3420M

4 / 4

1,310

+1.2%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Athlon X2 450

2 / 2

1,295

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.

A6-3420M vs Athlon X2 450 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.

A6-3420M vs Athlon X2 450: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A6-3420M

2011

Why buy it

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 6520G, while Athlon X2 450 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (234 vs 450).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon X2 450.

Athlon X2 450

2014

Why buy it

✅+92.3% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock Cooler), unlike A6-3420M.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,295 vs 1,310).
❌Launch MSRP is still $60 MSRP, while A6-3420M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while A6-3420M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon X2 450 better than A6-3420M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon X2 450 is ahead with a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, A6-3420M pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, A6-3420M is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Athlon X2 450 is the better buy right now. Athlon X2 450 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $60 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that A6-3420M is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.2% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (21.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Athlon X2 450 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A6-3420M vs Athlon X2 450 Technical Specifications

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

A6-3420M

The A6-3420M 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 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 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: 1,310 points. Launch price was $70.

Athlon X2 450

The Athlon X2 450 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 1,295 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The A6-3420M packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Athlon X2 450 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the A6-3420M has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the A6-3420M versus 3.9 GHz on the Athlon X2 450 — a 47.6% clock advantage for the Athlon X2 450 (base: 1.5 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The A6-3420M uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Athlon X2 450 uses Kaveri (2014−2015) (28 nm). In PassMark, the A6-3420M scores 1,310 against the Athlon X2 450's 1,295 — a 1.2% lead for the A6-3420M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 234 vs 450, a 63.2% lead for the Athlon X2 450 that directly translates to higher frame rates.

Feature	A6-3420M	Athlon X2 450
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	3.9 GHz+63%
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	3.5 GHz+133%
L3 Cache	0 kB	—
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	1 MB (total)
Process	32 nm	28 nm-13%
Architecture	Llano (2011−2012)	Kaveri (2014−2015)
PassMark	1,310+1%	1,295
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	1,500
Geekbench 6 Single	234	450+92%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	800

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Memory & Platform

The A6-3420M uses the FS1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon X2 450 uses FM2+ (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the A6-3420M versus DDR3-1866 on the Athlon X2 450 — the Athlon X2 450 supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon X2 450 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	A6-3420M	Athlon X2 450
Socket	FS1	FM2+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR3-1866+40%
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	16 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AMD-V virtualization. The A6-3420M includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6520G), while the Athlon X2 450 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A6-3420M targets Budget Laptop, Athlon X2 450 targets Basic Desktop. Direct competitor: A6-3420M rivals Core i3-2330M; Athlon X2 450 rivals Core i3-3220.