A9-9410 vs Core i3-540
A9-9410
Core i3-540
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 A9-9410 is positioned at rank 1071 and the Core i3-540 is on rank 970, so the Core i3-540 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar A9-9410
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-540
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | A9-9410 | Core i3-540 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($25) | ✅ More affordable ($5) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) / 28 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | A9-9410 | Core i3-540 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+401%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($25) | ✅ More affordable ($5) |
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 A9-9410 and Core i3-540
A9-9410
The A9-9410 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 31 May 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FP4. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 1,550 points. Launch price was $69.
Core i3-540
The Core i3-540 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.06 GHz, with boost up to 0.07 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,554 points. Launch price was $45.
Processing Power
The A9-9410 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-540's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the A9-9410 versus 0.07 GHz on the Core i3-540 — a 192.2% clock advantage for the A9-9410 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.06 GHz). The A9-9410 uses the Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i3-540 uses Clarkdale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the A9-9410 scores 1,550 against the Core i3-540's 1,554 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-540. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A9-9410 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-540.
| Feature | A9-9410 | Core i3-540 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.5 GHz+4900% | 0.07 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.9 GHz | 3.06 GHz+6% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 4 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 2048 kB+700% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 28 nm-13% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) | Clarkdale (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,550 | 1,554 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 350 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 650 | — |
Memory & Platform
The A9-9410 uses the FP4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-540 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | A9-9410 | Core i3-540 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FP4 | LGA1156 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2133 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 1 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 8 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: AMD-V (A9-9410) / not specified (Core i3-540). The A9-9410 includes integrated graphics (Radeon R5), while the Core i3-540 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A9-9410 targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: A9-9410 rivals Pentium N4200.
| Feature | A9-9410 | Core i3-540 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Radeon R5 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | — |
| Target Use | Budget Laptop | — |
Value Analysis
The A9-9410 launched at $150 MSRP, while the Core i3-540 debuted at $133. At current prices ($25 vs $5), the Core i3-540 is $20 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the A9-9410 delivers 62.0 pts/$ vs 310.8 pts/$ for the Core i3-540 — making the Core i3-540 the 133.5% better value option.
| Feature | A9-9410 | Core i3-540 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $150 | $133-11% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $25 | $5-80% |
| Performance per Dollar | 62.0 | 310.8+401% |
| Release Date | 2016 | 2010 |
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