CPU
GPU
A6-5400K
Core i3-4012Y
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The A6-5400K is positioned at rank 765 and the Core i3-4012Y is on rank 526, so the Core i3-4012Y offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar A6-5400K
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-4012Y
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | A6-5400K | Core i3-4012Y |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Trinity (2012−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | A6-5400K | Core i3-4012Y |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of A6-5400K and Core i3-4012Y
A6-5400K
The A6-5400K 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 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,279 points. Launch price was $70.
Core i3-4012Y
The Core i3-4012Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 11.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,278 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The A6-5400K packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-4012Y's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the A6-5400K versus 1.5 GHz on the Core i3-4012Y — a 86.8% clock advantage for the A6-5400K (base: 3.6 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The A6-5400K uses the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-4012Y uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the A6-5400K scores 1,279 against the Core i3-4012Y's 1,278 — a 0.1% lead for the A6-5400K. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 390 vs 485, a 21.7% lead for the Core i3-4012Y that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A6-5400K vs 3 MB on the Core i3-4012Y.
| Feature | A6-5400K | Core i3-4012Y |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.8 GHz+153% | 1.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz+140% | 1.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 3 MB |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core)+100% | 512 kB |
| Process | 32 nm | 22 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Trinity (2012−2013) | Haswell (2013−2015) |
| PassMark | 1,279 | 1,278 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 390 | 485+24% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 988 |
Memory & Platform
The A6-5400K uses the FM2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-4012Y uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1866 memory speed. The A6-5400K supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (A6-5400K) vs 12 (Core i3-4012Y) — the A6-5400K offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A55,A75,A85X,A88X (A6-5400K) and HM86,HM87,QM87 (Core i3-4012Y).
| Feature | A6-5400K | Core i3-4012Y |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FM2 | FCBGA1168 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1866 | DDR3L-1600 / LPDDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB+100% | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16+33% | 12 |
Advanced Features
Only the A6-5400K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A6-5400K) vs VT-x / EPT (Core i3-4012Y). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon HD 7540D (A6-5400K) and Intel HD Graphics 4200 (Core i3-4012Y) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A6-5400K targets Budget Desktop, Core i3-4012Y targets Low Power. Direct competitor: A6-5400K rivals Pentium G2120.
| Feature | A6-5400K | Core i3-4012Y |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Radeon HD 7540D | Intel HD Graphics 4200 |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x / EPT |
| Target Use | Budget Desktop | Low Power |
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