A6-9225 vs Athlon II X3 405e

A6-9225 vs Athlon II X3 405e Performance Spectrum

A6-9225

2 / 2

1,334

+0.2%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Athlon II X3 405e

3 / 3

1,331

0.0%

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.

A6-9225 vs Athlon II X3 405e 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.

A6-9225 vs Athlon II X3 405e: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A6-9225

2018

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 405e needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Athlon II X3 405e

2009

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,331 vs 1,334).
❌Launch MSRP is still $100 MSRP, while A6-9225 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌4400% higher power demand at 45W vs 1W.
❌No integrated graphics, while A6-9225 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is A6-9225 better than Athlon II X3 405e?

Yes. A6-9225 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you 0.2% 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, A6-9225 has the edge because it leads the single-thread side of this matchup with 34.8% higher max boost clock.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, A6-9225 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

A6-9225 is still the much better call for a fresh build. A6-9225 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $100 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% higher PassMark. Athlon II X3 405e only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2009 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (13.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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?

A6-9225 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 3/3. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A6-9225 vs Athlon II X3 405e Technical Specifications

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

A6-9225

The A6-9225 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 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 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: 1,334 points. Launch price was $70.

Athlon II X3 405e

The Athlon II X3 405e 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 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 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: 1,331 points. Launch price was $80.

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Processing Power

The A6-9225 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Athlon II X3 405e offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Athlon II X3 405e has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the A6-9225 versus 2.3 GHz on the Athlon II X3 405e — a 29.6% clock advantage for the A6-9225 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The A6-9225 uses the Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Athlon II X3 405e uses Rana (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A6-9225 scores 1,334 against the Athlon II X3 405e's 1,331 — a 0.2% lead for the A6-9225.

Feature	A6-9225	Athlon II X3 405e
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	3 / 3+50%
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz+35%	2.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+13%	2.3 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	1,334	1,331

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Memory & Platform

The A6-9225 uses the BGA socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Athlon II X3 405e uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the A6-9225 versus DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X3 405e — the A6-9225 supports 60% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon II X3 405e supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (A6-9225) vs 2 (Athlon II X3 405e). PCIe lanes: 8 (A6-9225) vs 0 (Athlon II X3 405e) — the A6-9225 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD BGA soldered (A6-9225) and AMD AM3 (Athlon II X3 405e).

Feature	A6-9225	Athlon II X3 405e
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