A6-3420M vs Pentium E5200

AMD

A6-3420M

4 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2011
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Pentium E5200

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2008
Similar parts
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A6-3420M vs Pentium E5200 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.

A6-3420M vs Pentium E5200 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 Pentium E5200: 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

  • Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 6520G, while Pentium E5200 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,310 vs 1,315).

Pentium E5200

2008

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Launch MSRP is still $84 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 Pentium E5200 better than A6-3420M?
    Yes. Pentium E5200 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.4% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
    Which one is better for gaming?
    If gaming is the priority, Pentium E5200 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.4% 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, Pentium E5200 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Pentium E5200 is the better buy right now. Pentium E5200 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $84 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (15.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2008). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

    A6-3420M vs Pentium E5200 Technical Specifications

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

    AMD

    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.

    Intel

    Pentium E5200

    The Pentium E5200 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Agosto 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,315 points. Launch price was $99.

    Processing Power

    The A6-3420M packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium E5200 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the A6-3420M has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the A6-3420M versus 2.5 GHz on the Pentium E5200 — a 4.1% clock advantage for the Pentium E5200 (base: 1.5 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The A6-3420M uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium E5200 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A6-3420M scores 1,310 against the Pentium E5200's 1,315 — a 0.4% lead for the Pentium E5200. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

    FeatureA6-3420MPentium E5200
    Cores / Threads
    4 / 4+100%
    2 / 2
    Boost Clock
    2.4 GHz
    2.5 GHz+4%
    Base Clock
    1.5 GHz
    2.5 GHz+67%
    L3 Cache
    0 kB
    0 kB
    L2 Cache
    1 MB (per core)
    2 MB (total)+100%
    Process
    32 nm-29%
    45 nm
    Architecture
    Llano (2011−2012)
    Wolfdale (2008−2010)
    PassMark
    1,310
    1,315
    Geekbench 6 Single
    234
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The A6-3420M uses the FS1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium E5200 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeatureA6-3420MPentium E5200
    Socket
    FS1
    LGA775
    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
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Virtualization: AMD-V (A6-3420M) / not specified (Pentium E5200). The A6-3420M includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6520G), while the Pentium E5200 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A6-3420M targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: A6-3420M rivals Core i3-2330M.

    FeatureA6-3420MPentium E5200
    Integrated GPU
    Yes
    IGPU Model
    Radeon HD 6520G
    Unlocked
    No
    AVX-512
    No
    Virtualization
    AMD-V
    Target Use
    Budget Laptop