A6-9500E vs Core i5-520M
A6-9500E
Core i5-520M
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. The A6-9500E is positioned at rank 609 and the Core i5-520M is on rank 1139, so the A6-9500E offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar A6-9500E
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-520M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | A6-9500E | Core i5-520M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) / 28 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | A6-9500E | Core i5-520M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) |
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 A6-9500E and Core i5-520M
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.
Core i5-520M
The Core i5-520M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.93 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 1,727 points. Launch price was $225.
Processing Power
The A6-9500E packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-520M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the A6-9500E versus 2.93 GHz on the Core i5-520M — a 14.8% clock advantage for the A6-9500E (base: 3 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The A6-9500E uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i5-520M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the A6-9500E scores 1,741 against the Core i5-520M's 1,727 — a 0.8% lead for the A6-9500E. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A6-9500E vs 3 MB on the Core i5-520M.
| Feature | A6-9500E | Core i5-520M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.4 GHz+16% | 2.93 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3 GHz+25% | 2.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 3 MB |
| L2 Cache | 1024 kB+100% | 512 kB |
| Process | 28 nm-13% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) | Arrandale (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,741 | 1,727 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 360 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 695 |
Memory & Platform
The A6-9500E uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-520M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the A6-9500E versus 1066 on the Core i5-520M — the Core i5-520M supports 198.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The A6-9500E supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (A6-9500E) vs 16 (Core i5-520M) — the Core i5-520M offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD AM4 (A6-9500E) and HM55,HM57,QM57 (Core i5-520M).
| Feature | A6-9500E | Core i5-520M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM4 | PGA988 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2400 | 1066+26550% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB+419430300% | 8 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 8 | 16+100% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (A6-9500E) / true (Core i5-520M). Both include integrated graphics — AMD Radeon R5 (A6-9500E) and Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) (Core i5-520M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-520M rivals AMD Turion II Ultra M660.
| Feature | A6-9500E | Core i5-520M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | AMD Radeon R5 | Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | true |
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