A9-9420 vs Core i3-2340UE
A9-9420
Core i3-2340UE
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 i3-2340UE is on rank 1137, so the A9-9420 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 i3-2340UE
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | A9-9420 | Core i3-2340UE |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($30) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($200) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) / 28 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | A9-9420 | Core i3-2340UE |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+564%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($30) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($200) |
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 i3-2340UE
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 i3-2340UE
The Core i3-2340UE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,545 points. Launch price was $250.
Processing Power
The A9-9420 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-2340UE's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the A9-9420 versus 1.3 GHz on the Core i3-2340UE — a 93.9% clock advantage for the A9-9420. The A9-9420 uses the Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i3-2340UE uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the A9-9420 scores 1,538 against the Core i3-2340UE's 1,545 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i3-2340UE. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 497 vs 230, a 73.5% lead for the A9-9420 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A9-9420 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2340UE.
| Feature | A9-9420 | Core i3-2340UE |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz+177% | 1.3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (total)+300% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 28 nm-13% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,538 | 1,545 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 497+116% | 230 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 950 | — |
Memory & Platform
The A9-9420 uses the FT4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-2340UE uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the A9-9420 versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i3-2340UE — the A9-9420 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-2340UE supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (A9-9420) vs 2 (Core i3-2340UE). PCIe lanes: 8 (A9-9420) vs 16 (Core i3-2340UE) — the Core i3-2340UE offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SoC (A9-9420) and HM65,QM67 (Core i3-2340UE).
| Feature | A9-9420 | Core i3-2340UE |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FT4 | BGA1023 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2133+33% | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | 16 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 1 | 2+100% |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 8 | 16+100% |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A9-9420) vs VT-x, EPT (Core i3-2340UE). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon R5 (A9-9420) and HD Graphics 3000 (Core i3-2340UE) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A9-9420 targets Budget Laptop, Core i3-2340UE targets Embedded. Direct competitor: A9-9420 rivals Pentium N4200; Core i3-2340UE rivals Embedded G-Series.
| Feature | A9-9420 | Core i3-2340UE |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Radeon R5 | HD Graphics 3000 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x, EPT |
| Target Use | Budget Laptop | Embedded |
Value Analysis
The A9-9420 launched at $150 MSRP, while the Core i3-2340UE debuted at $200. At current prices ($30 vs $200), the A9-9420 is $170 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the A9-9420 delivers 51.3 pts/$ vs 7.7 pts/$ for the Core i3-2340UE — making the A9-9420 the 147.6% better value option.
| Feature | A9-9420 | Core i3-2340UE |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $150-25% | $200 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $30-85% | $200 |
| Performance per Dollar | 51.3+566% | 7.7 |
| Release Date | 2016 | 2011 |
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