A9-9420 vs Core i7-640LM

A9-9420 vs Core i7-640LM Performance Spectrum

A9-9420

2 / 2

1,538

+0.6%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i7-640LM

2 / 4

1,529

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 i7-640LM 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 i7-640LM: 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

✅Better for gaming: +3.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 15W instead of 25W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $150 MSRP, while Core i7-640LM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i7-640LM

2010

Why buy it

✅100% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A9-9420 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,529 vs 1,538).
❌66.7% higher power demand at 25W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is A9-9420 better than Core i7-640LM?

Yes. A9-9420 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.6% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, A9-9420 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.3% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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 0.6% 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 $150 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (10.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2010) 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 i7-640LM 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 i7-640LM

The Core i7-640LM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 2.93 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 1,529 points. Launch price was $332.

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Processing Power

The A9-9420 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i7-640LM's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the A9-9420 versus 2.93 GHz on the Core i7-640LM — a 20.5% clock advantage for the A9-9420 (base: 3 GHz vs 2.13 GHz). The A9-9420 uses the Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i7-640LM uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the A9-9420 scores 1,538 against the Core i7-640LM's 1,529 — a 0.6% lead for the A9-9420. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A9-9420 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-640LM.

Feature	A9-9420	Core i7-640LM
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+23%	2.93 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+41%	2.13 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (total)+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	28 nm-13%	32 nm
Architecture	Stoney Ridge (2016−2019)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,538	1,529
Geekbench 6 Single	497	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	950	—

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Memory & Platform

The A9-9420 uses the FT4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-640LM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the A9-9420 versus 1066 on the Core i7-640LM — the A9-9420 supports 100.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 8 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 1 (A9-9420) vs 2 (Core i7-640LM). PCIe lanes: 8 (A9-9420) vs 16 (Core i7-640LM) — the Core i7-640LM offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SoC (A9-9420) and HM55,HM57,QM57,QS57 (Core i7-640LM).

Feature	A9-9420	Core i7-640LM
Socket	FT4	BGA1288
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133+100%	1066
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	8 GB
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	16+100%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A9-9420) vs true (Core i7-640LM). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon R5 (A9-9420) and Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) (Core i7-640LM) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A9-9420 targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: A9-9420 rivals Pentium N4200; Core i7-640LM rivals Core 2 Duo SL9400.