A9-9420
Core i3-2100T
A9-9420 vs Core i3-2100T 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.
A9-9420 vs Core i3-2100T 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Among Us
Apex Legends
ARC Raiders
Baldur's Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
A9-9420 vs Core i3-2100T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict
See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.
A9-9420
2016Why buy it
- ✅Draws 15W instead of 35W, a 20W reduction.
- ✅100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
- ✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon R5, while Core i3-2100T needs a discrete GPU.
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.3 vs 12.1 PassMark/$ ($150 MSRP vs $127 MSRP).
Core i3-2100T
2011Why buy it
- ✅Costs $23 less on MSRP ($127 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 17.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 12.1 vs 10.3 PassMark/$ ($127 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower PassMark (1,531 vs 1,538).
- ❌133.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 15W.
- ❌No integrated graphics, while A9-9420 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
Quick Answers
So, is A9-9420 better than Core i3-2100T?
Which one is better for gaming?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
A9-9420 vs Core i3-2100T Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.
A9-9420
The A9-9420 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 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FT4. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,538 points. Launch price was $69.
Core i3-2100T
The Core i3-2100T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,531 points. Launch price was $180.
Processing Power
The A9-9420 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-2100T's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the A9-9420 versus 2.5 GHz on the Core i3-2100T — a 36.1% clock advantage for the A9-9420 (base: 3 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The A9-9420 uses the Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i3-2100T uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the A9-9420 scores 1,538 against the Core i3-2100T's 1,531 — a 0.5% lead for the A9-9420. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A9-9420 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2100T.
| Feature | A9-9420 | Core i3-2100T |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz+44% | 2.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3 GHz+20% | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (total)+300% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 28 nm-13% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,538 | 1,531 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 497 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 950 | — |
Memory & Platform
The A9-9420 uses the FT4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-2100T uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | A9-9420 | Core i3-2100T |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FT4 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2133 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 1 | — |
| ECC Support | No | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 8 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: AMD-V (A9-9420) / not specified (Core i3-2100T). The A9-9420 includes integrated graphics (Radeon R5), while the Core i3-2100T requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A9-9420 targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: A9-9420 rivals Pentium N4200.
| Feature | A9-9420 | Core i3-2100T |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Radeon R5 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | — |
| Target Use | Budget Laptop | — |
Value Analysis
At launch, the A9-9420 was priced at $150, while the Core i3-2100T came in at $127. On launch pricing ($150 vs $127), Core i3-2100T was $23 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the A9-9420 delivers 10.3 pts/$ vs 12.1 pts/$ for the Core i3-2100T — making the Core i3-2100T the 16.2% better value option.
| Feature | A9-9420 | Core i3-2100T |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $150 | $127-15% |
| Performance per Dollar | 10.3 | 12.1+17% |
| Release Date | 2016 | 2011 |
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