A6-4400M vs Core i5-4210U

AMD

A6-4400M

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2012
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i5-4210U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2014
Similar parts
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A6-4400M vs Core i5-4210U 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.

A6-4400M vs Core i5-4210U 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.

A6-4400M vs Core i5-4210U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A6-4400M

2012

Why buy it

  • Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.
  • 33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (313 vs 763).
  • Lower PassMark (2,292 vs 2,316).

Core i5-4210U

2014

Why buy it

  • +143.8% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.

Trade-offs

  • 1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4210U better than A6-4400M?
Yes. Core i5-4210U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i5-4210U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.5% 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, Core i5-4210U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-4210U still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-4210U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-4210U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A6-4400M vs Core i5-4210U Technical Specifications

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

AMD

A6-4400M

The A6-4400M is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FS1r2. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: unknown. Passmark benchmark score: 2,292 points. Launch price was $70.

Intel

Core i5-4210U

The Core i5-4210U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 April 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,316 points. Launch price was $281.

Processing Power

The A6-4400M packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-4210U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the A6-4400M versus 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-4210U — a 16.9% clock advantage for the A6-4400M (base: 2.7 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The A6-4400M uses the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-4210U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the A6-4400M scores 2,292 against the Core i5-4210U's 2,316 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-4210U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 313 vs 763, a 83.6% lead for the Core i5-4210U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A6-4400M vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-4210U.

FeatureA6-4400MCore i5-4210U
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 4
Boost Clock
3.2 GHz+19%
2.7 GHz
Base Clock
2.7 GHz+59%
1.7 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
3 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1 MB (total)
256K (per core)+25500%
Process
32 nm
22 nm-31%
Architecture
Trinity (2012−2013)
Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark
2,292
2,316+1%
Geekbench 6 Single
313
763+144%
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Memory & Platform

The A6-4400M uses the FS1r2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-4210U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. The Core i5-4210U 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. PCIe lanes: 16 (A6-4400M) vs 12 (Core i5-4210U) — the A6-4400M offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureA6-4400MCore i5-4210U
Socket
FS1r2
FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1600
DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity
8 GB
16 GB+100%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
16+33%
12
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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A6-4400M) vs VT-x, EPT (Core i5-4210U). Both include integrated graphics Radeon HD 7520G (A6-4400M) and HD Graphics 4400 (Core i5-4210U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A6-4400M targets Budget Laptop, Core i5-4210U targets Thin & Light Laptop. Direct competitor: A6-4400M rivals Core i3-2370M; Core i5-4210U rivals A8-6410.

FeatureA6-4400MCore i5-4210U
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Radeon HD 7520G
HD Graphics 4400
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
VT-x, EPT
Target Use
Budget Laptop
Thin & Light Laptop