A6-9400 vs Core i5-8210Y
A6-9400
Core i5-8210Y
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-8210Y
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | A6-9400 | Core i5-8210Y |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | ✨ Modern (Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | A6-9400 | Core i5-8210Y |
|---|---|---|
| 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 A6-9400 and Core i5-8210Y
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 i5-8210Y
The Core i5-8210Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 7 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,723 points. Launch price was $281.
Processing Power
The A6-9400 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-8210Y's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the A6-9400 versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-8210Y — a 2.7% clock advantage for the A6-9400 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The A6-9400 uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i5-8210Y uses Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A6-9400 scores 2,717 against the Core i5-8210Y's 2,723 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-8210Y.
| Feature | A6-9400 | Core i5-8210Y |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz+3% | 3.6 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.4 GHz+112% | 1.6 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 4 MB |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (total)+100% | 512 kB |
| Process | 28 nm | 14 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) | Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) |
| PassMark | 2,717 | 2,723 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 796 |
Memory & Platform
The A6-9400 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-8210Y uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the A6-9400 versus LPDDR3-2133 on the Core i5-8210Y — the A6-9400 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The A6-9400 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (A6-9400) vs 10 (Core i5-8210Y) — the Core i5-8210Y offers 2 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD AM4 (A6-9400) and Amber Lake-Y (Core i5-8210Y).
| Feature | A6-9400 | Core i5-8210Y |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM4 | FCBGA1515 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2400+33% | LPDDR3-2133 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB+300% | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 8 | 10+25% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (A6-9400) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-8210Y). Both include integrated graphics — AMD Radeon R5 (A6-9400) and UHD Graphics 617 (Core i5-8210Y) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8210Y targets Tablet/2-in-1. Direct competitor: Core i5-8210Y rivals Athlon 3050U.
| Feature | A6-9400 | Core i5-8210Y |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | AMD Radeon R5 | UHD Graphics 617 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Tablet/2-in-1 |
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