A6-9400 vs Core i3-7100U

A6-9400

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2019

Core i3-7100U

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2016

Performance Spectrum - CPU

A6-9400

2 / 2

2,717

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-7100U

2 / 4

2,721

+0.1%

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-7100U

#740

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1078%

#741

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1062%

#742

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

975%

#743

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

971%

#744

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

962%

#746

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

929%

#747

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

891%

#748

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

889%

#749

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

865%

#752

Core i3-7100U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#757

Core i7-11370H

MSRP: $426|Avg: N/A

100%

#761

Core i3-N300

MSRP: $309|Avg: $309

99%

#767

Core i7-1250U

MSRP: $426|Avg: N/A

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The A6-9400 (2019) utilizes 28 nm technology and DDR4-2400, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	A6-9400	Core i3-7100U
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	✨ Modern (Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) / 28 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i3-7100U (2016) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR4, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	A6-9400	Core i3-7100U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

A6-9400 Benchmark Check

Core i3-7100U Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

No prediction data available

Path of Exile 2

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of A6-9400 and Core i3-7100U

A6-9400

The A6-9400 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 2,717 points. Launch price was $70.

Core i3-7100U

The Core i3-7100U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,721 points. Launch price was $281.

⚡

Processing Power

The A6-9400 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-7100U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the A6-9400 versus 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-7100U — a 42.6% clock advantage for the A6-9400 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The A6-9400 uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i3-7100U uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A6-9400 scores 2,717 against the Core i3-7100U's 2,721 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i3-7100U.

Feature	A6-9400	Core i3-7100U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+54%	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+42%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	—	3 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB (total)+100%	512 kB
Process	28 nm	14 nm-50%
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	2,717	2,721
Geekbench 6 Single	—	841

🧠

Memory & Platform

The A6-9400 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-7100U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2400 memory speed. The A6-9400 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (A6-9400) vs 12 (Core i3-7100U) — the Core i3-7100U offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	A6-9400	Core i3-7100U
Socket	AM4	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	8	12+50%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (A6-9400) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-7100U). Both include integrated graphics — AMD Radeon R5 (A6-9400) and HD Graphics 620 (Core i3-7100U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7100U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-7100U rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.