A6-3420M vs Celeron M 743

A6-3420M vs Celeron M 743 Performance Spectrum

A6-3420M

4 / 4

1,310

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Celeron M 743

1 / 1

1,324

+1.1%

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 Celeron M 743 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 Celeron M 743: 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

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 6520G, while Celeron M 743 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,310 vs 1,324).
❌3400% higher power demand at 35W vs 1W.

Celeron M 743

2009

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 1W instead of 35W, a 34W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $107 MSRP, while A6-3420M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while A6-3420M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron M 743 better than A6-3420M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A6-3420M is ahead with a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron M 743 pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron M 743 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 1 cores and 1 threads.

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

Celeron M 743 is the better buy right now. Celeron M 743 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $107 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that A6-3420M is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (12.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

A6-3420M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A6-3420M vs Celeron M 743 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.

Celeron M 743

The Celeron M 743 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 1.3 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA965. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,324 points. Launch price was $107.

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Processing Power

The A6-3420M packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Celeron M 743 offers 1 cores / 1 threads — the A6-3420M has 3 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the A6-3420M versus 1.3 GHz on the Celeron M 743 — a 59.5% clock advantage for the A6-3420M. The A6-3420M uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Celeron M 743 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A6-3420M scores 1,310 against the Celeron M 743's 1,324 — a 1.1% lead for the Celeron M 743.

Feature	A6-3420M	Celeron M 743
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+300%	1 / 1
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz+85%	1.3 GHz
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	—
L3 Cache	0 kB	—
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	1 MB
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Llano (2011−2012)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	1,310	1,324+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	234	—

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Memory & Platform

The A6-3420M uses the FS1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron M 743 uses BGA965 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A6-3420M	Celeron M 743
Socket	FS1	BGA965
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
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 (A6-3420M) / not specified (Celeron M 743). The A6-3420M includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6520G), while the Celeron M 743 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A6-3420M targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: A6-3420M rivals Core i3-2330M.