A6-9500E vs Athlon X2 L310

AMD

A6-9500E

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2017
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Athlon X2 L310

2 Cores2 Thrd1 WWMax: 1.2 GHz2009
Similar parts
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A6-9500E vs Athlon X2 L310 Performance Spectrum

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.

A6-9500E vs Athlon X2 L310 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.

A6-9500E vs Athlon X2 L310: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A6-9500E

2017

Why buy it

  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with AMD Radeon R5, while Athlon X2 L310 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,741 vs 1,747).
  • 3400% higher power demand at 35W vs 1W.

Athlon X2 L310

2009

Why buy it

  • +0.3% higher PassMark.
  • Draws 1W instead of 35W, a 34W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $100 MSRP, while A6-9500E mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • No integrated graphics, while A6-9500E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon X2 L310 better than A6-9500E?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A6-9500E is ahead with a 0.4% average FPS lead across 12 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Athlon X2 L310 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon X2 L310 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Athlon X2 L310 is the better buy right now. Athlon X2 L310 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $100 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that A6-9500E is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.4% average FPS lead across 12 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (17.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, A6-9500E can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
A6-9500E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A6-9500E vs Athlon X2 L310 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

A6-9500E

The A6-9500E 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 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1024 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 1,741 points. Launch price was $70.

AMD

Athlon X2 L310

The Athlon X2 L310 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Conesus (2009) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.2 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,747 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

Both the A6-9500E and Athlon X2 L310 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the A6-9500E versus 1.2 GHz on the Athlon X2 L310 — a 95.7% clock advantage for the A6-9500E. The A6-9500E uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Athlon X2 L310 uses Conesus (2009) (65 nm). In PassMark, the A6-9500E scores 1,741 against the Athlon X2 L310's 1,747 — a 0.3% lead for the Athlon X2 L310.

FeatureA6-9500EAthlon X2 L310
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 2
Boost Clock
3.4 GHz+183%
1.2 GHz
Base Clock
3 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
L2 Cache
1024 kB
1 MB
Process
28 nm-57%
65 nm
Architecture
Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)
Conesus (2009)
PassMark
1,741
1,747
Geekbench 6 Single
120
Geekbench 6 Multi
213
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Memory & Platform

The A6-9500E uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Athlon X2 L310 uses S1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the A6-9500E versus DDR2-667 on the Athlon X2 L310 — the A6-9500E supports 259.8% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The A6-9500E supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (A6-9500E) vs 0 (Athlon X2 L310) — the A6-9500E offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD AM4 (A6-9500E) and Socket S1 (Athlon X2 L310).

FeatureA6-9500EAthlon X2 L310
Socket
AM4
S1
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2400+260%
DDR2-667
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB+700%
4 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
8
0
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (A6-9500E) / Yes (Athlon X2 L310). The A6-9500E includes integrated graphics (AMD Radeon R5), while the Athlon X2 L310 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon X2 L310 targets Mobile.

FeatureA6-9500EAthlon X2 L310
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
AMD Radeon R5
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
Yes
Target Use
Mobile