A9-9420 vs Core i3-2100T
A9-9420
Core i3-2100T
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 A9-9420 is positioned at rank 1074 and the Core i3-2100T is on rank 962, so the Core i3-2100T offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar A9-9420
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2100T
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | A9-9420 | Core i3-2100T |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($30) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($127) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) / 28 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | A9-9420 | Core i3-2100T |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+325%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($30) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($127) |
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 A9-9420 and Core i3-2100T
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 | ❌ | — |
| 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
The A9-9420 launched at $150 MSRP, while the Core i3-2100T debuted at $127. At current prices ($30 vs $127), the A9-9420 is $97 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the A9-9420 delivers 51.3 pts/$ vs 12.1 pts/$ for the Core i3-2100T — making the A9-9420 the 123.8% better value option.
| Feature | A9-9420 | Core i3-2100T |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $150 | $127-15% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $30-76% | $127 |
| Performance per Dollar | 51.3+324% | 12.1 |
| Release Date | 2016 | 2011 |
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