A9-9420 vs Core i5-4210Y

CPU

GPU

A9-9420

2 Cores2 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2016

Similar parts

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Core i5-4210Y

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 1.9 GHz2013

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A9-9420 vs Core i5-4210Y Performance Spectrum

A9-9420

2 / 2

1,538

+0.5%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-4210Y

2 / 4

1,530

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.

A9-9420 vs Core i5-4210Y 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.

A9-9420 vs Core i5-4210Y: 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

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 512W, a 497W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (497 vs 580).
❌Launch MSRP is still $150 MSRP, while Core i5-4210Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i5-4210Y

2013

Why buy it

✅+16.7% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅50% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,530 vs 1,538).
❌3313.3% higher power demand at 512W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is A9-9420 better than Core i5-4210Y?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-4210Y is ahead with a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, A9-9420 pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, A9-9420 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

A9-9420 is the better buy right now. A9-9420 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $150 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-4210Y is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (10.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

A9-9420 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A9-9420 vs Core i5-4210Y 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 i5-4210Y

The Core i5-4210Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 11.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,530 points. Launch price was $297.

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Processing Power

The A9-9420 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-4210Y's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the A9-9420 versus 1.9 GHz on the Core i5-4210Y — a 61.8% clock advantage for the A9-9420 (base: 3 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The A9-9420 uses the Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i5-4210Y uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the A9-9420 scores 1,538 against the Core i5-4210Y's 1,530 — a 0.5% lead for the A9-9420. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 497 vs 580, a 15.4% lead for the Core i5-4210Y that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A9-9420 vs 3 MB on the Core i5-4210Y.

Feature	A9-9420	Core i5-4210Y
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+89%	1.9 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+100%	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB (total)+100%	512 kB
Process	28 nm	22 nm-21%
Architecture	Stoney Ridge (2016−2019)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	1,538	1,530
Geekbench 6 Single	497	580+17%
Geekbench 6 Multi	950	—

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Memory & Platform

The A9-9420 uses the FT4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-4210Y uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the A9-9420 versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i5-4210Y — the A9-9420 supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-4210Y supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (A9-9420) vs 2 (Core i5-4210Y). PCIe lanes: 8 (A9-9420) vs 12 (Core i5-4210Y) — the Core i5-4210Y offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SoC (A9-9420) and HM86,HM87,QM87 (Core i5-4210Y).

Feature	A9-9420	Core i5-4210Y
Socket	FT4	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133+33%	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	16 GB+100%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	12+50%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A9-9420) vs VT-x, EPT (Core i5-4210Y). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon R5 (A9-9420) and HD Graphics 4200 (Core i5-4210Y) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A9-9420 targets Budget Laptop, Core i5-4210Y targets Tablet/2-in-1. Direct competitor: A9-9420 rivals Pentium N4200; Core i5-4210Y rivals A4-6210.