A6-9220 vs Athlon II X3 400e

A6-9220 vs Athlon II X3 400e Performance Spectrum

A6-9220

2 / 2

1,307

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Athlon II X3 400e

3 / 3

1,320

+1.0%

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.

A6-9220 vs Athlon II X3 400e 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.

A6-9220 vs Athlon II X3 400e: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A6-9220

2016

Why buy it

✅Draws 1W instead of 45W, a 44W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with AMD Radeon R4, while Athlon II X3 400e needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,307 vs 1,320).

Athlon II X3 400e

2009

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $100 MSRP, while A6-9220 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌4400% higher power demand at 45W vs 1W.
❌No integrated graphics, while A6-9220 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is A6-9220 better than Athlon II X3 400e?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A6-9220 is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X3 400e pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X3 400e is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 3 cores and 3 threads.

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

A6-9220 is still the much better call for a fresh build. A6-9220 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $100 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Athlon II X3 400e only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2009 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (13.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3.

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

A6-9220 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A6-9220 vs Athlon II X3 400e Technical Specifications

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

A6-9220

The A6-9220 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: BGA. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,307 points. Launch price was $70.

Athlon II X3 400e

The Athlon II X3 400e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 October 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Rana (2009−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,320 points. Launch price was $107.

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Processing Power

The A6-9220 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Athlon II X3 400e offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Athlon II X3 400e has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the A6-9220 versus 2.2 GHz on the Athlon II X3 400e — a 27.5% clock advantage for the A6-9220 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The A6-9220 uses the Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Athlon II X3 400e uses Rana (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A6-9220 scores 1,307 against the Athlon II X3 400e's 1,320 — a 1% lead for the Athlon II X3 400e.

Feature	A6-9220	Athlon II X3 400e
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	3 / 3+50%
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz+32%	2.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+14%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	—	0 kB
L2 Cache	1 MB+100%	512 kB (per core)
Process	28 nm-38%	45 nm
Architecture	Stoney Ridge (2016−2019)	Rana (2009−2011)
PassMark	1,307	1,320

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Memory & Platform

The A6-9220 uses the BGA socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Athlon II X3 400e uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the A6-9220 versus DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X3 400e — the A6-9220 supports 60% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon II X3 400e supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (A6-9220) vs 2 (Athlon II X3 400e). PCIe lanes: 8 (A6-9220) vs 0 (Athlon II X3 400e) — the A6-9220 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD FT4 (A6-9220) and AMD AM3 (Athlon II X3 400e).

Feature	A6-9220	Athlon II X3 400e
Socket	BGA	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133+60%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	32 GB+300%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	0