A6-9500E vs Xeon E5502

A6-9500E vs Xeon E5502 Performance Spectrum

A6-9500E

2 / 2

1,741

+0.9%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Xeon E5502

2 / 2

1,725

0.0%

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 Xeon E5502 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 Xeon E5502: 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

✅Better for gaming: +4.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 35W instead of 80W, a 45W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with AMD Radeon R5, while Xeon E5502 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5502, which brings 2 cores / 2 threads and 32 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5502

2009

Why buy it

✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 2 cores / 2 threads, plus 32 PCIe lanes vs 8.
✅300% more PCIe lanes (32 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A6-9500E across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,725 vs 1,741).
❌Launch MSRP is still $188 MSRP, while A6-9500E mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌128.6% higher power demand at 80W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while A6-9500E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is A6-9500E better than Xeon E5502?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5502 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while A6-9500E is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, A6-9500E is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, A6-9500E is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

A6-9500E is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5502 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. A6-9500E comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $188 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5502 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (9.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A6-9500E vs Xeon E5502 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Xeon E5502

The Xeon E5502 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 March 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Gainestown (2009−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.86 GHz, with boost up to 1.87 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,725 points. Launch price was $95.

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Processing Power

Both the A6-9500E and Xeon E5502 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the A6-9500E versus 1.87 GHz on the Xeon E5502 — a 58.1% clock advantage for the A6-9500E (base: 3 GHz vs 1.86 GHz). The A6-9500E uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Xeon E5502 uses Gainestown (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A6-9500E scores 1,741 against the Xeon E5502's 1,725 — a 0.9% lead for the A6-9500E. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A6-9500E vs 4 MB (total) on the Xeon E5502.

Feature	A6-9500E	Xeon E5502
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+82%	1.87 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+61%	1.86 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1024 kB+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	28 nm-38%	45 nm
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Gainestown (2009−2010)
PassMark	1,741	1,725
Geekbench 6 Single	—	200
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	800

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Memory & Platform

The A6-9500E uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5502 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the A6-9500E versus DDR3-800 on the Xeon E5502 — the A6-9500E supports 200% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5502 supports up to 144 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 350% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (A6-9500E) vs 3 (Xeon E5502). PCIe lanes: 8 (A6-9500E) vs 32 (Xeon E5502) — the Xeon E5502 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD AM4 (A6-9500E) and Intel 5500,Intel 5520,Intel X58 (Xeon E5502).

Feature	A6-9500E	Xeon E5502
Socket	AM4	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+200%	DDR3-800
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	144 GB+350%
RAM Channels	2	3+50%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	8	32+300%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (A6-9500E) / true (Xeon E5502). The A6-9500E includes integrated graphics (AMD Radeon R5), while the Xeon E5502 requires a dedicated GPU.