A9-9420 vs Ryzen 5 5600X

A9-9420

2 Cores2 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2016

Ryzen 5 5600X

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2020

Performance Spectrum - CPU

A9-9420

2 / 2

1,538

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen 5 5600X

6 / 12

21,845

+1320.4%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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. The A9-9420 is positioned at rank #1074 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar A9-9420

#1062

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2862%

#1063

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2820%

#1064

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2589%

#1065

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2578%

#1066

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2554%

#1068

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2466%

#1069

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2365%

#1070

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2361%

#1071

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2298%

#1074

A9-9420

MSRP: $150|Avg: $30

100%

#1075

Celeron B730

MSRP: $70|Avg: $10

100%

#1078

A9-9425

MSRP: $150|Avg: $30

99%

#1080

Core i5-4402E

MSRP: $266|Avg: $100

98%

#1081

A6-7000

MSRP: $100|Avg: $15

98%

#1083

Core i5-2520M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

97%

#1084

Core i7-2710QE

MSRP: $378|Avg: $40

97%

#1089

Core i5-3610ME

MSRP: $276|Avg: $22

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 5600X

#24

Celeron G5925

MSRP: $62|Avg: $15

116%

#25

Ryzen 5 7500F

MSRP: $179|Avg: $145

114%

#26

Core Ultra 5 245

MSRP: $319|Avg: $220

113%

#27

Ryzen 7 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $86

112%

#28

Core Ultra 7 265KF

MSRP: $379|Avg: $323

112%

#29

Core Ultra 7 265F

MSRP: $369|Avg: $276

110%

#30

Core i5-12400F

MSRP: $174|Avg: $110

110%

#31

Ryzen 3 PRO 5355G

MSRP: $130|Avg: $80

108%

#32

Ryzen 7 2700X

MSRP: $329|Avg: $100

108%

#33

Core i3-10100F

MSRP: $88|Avg: $50

108%

#34

Ryzen 5 7400F

MSRP: $150|Avg: $147

107%

#35

Ryzen 5 9600X

MSRP: $279|Avg: $178

104%

#36

Ryzen 7 3800X

MSRP: $399|Avg: $140

102%

#37

Ryzen 3 5300G

MSRP: $130|Avg: $80

101%

#38

Ryzen 9 7900X

MSRP: $549|Avg: $316

100%

#39

Ryzen 5 5600X

MSRP: $299|Avg: $135

100%

#40

Core i5-14600KF

MSRP: $304|Avg: $239

100%

#41

Ryzen 7 5800

MSRP: $349|Avg: $160

99%

#42

Core i3-14100F

MSRP: $109|Avg: $96

99%

#43

Ryzen 7 3700X

MSRP: $329|Avg: $140

99%

#44

Ryzen 5 7600X

MSRP: $299|Avg: $178

98%

#45

Ryzen 3 3100

MSRP: $99|Avg: $75

98%

#46

Core i5-13490F

MSRP: $235|Avg: $170

97%

#47

Ryzen 5 5600F

MSRP: $99|Avg: $129

97%

#48

Ryzen 9 PRO 3900

MSRP: $499|Avg: $200

97%

#49

Ryzen 3 4300GE

MSRP: $94|Avg: $72

96%

#50

Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE

MSRP: $169|Avg: $50

96%

#51

Core Ultra 5 225

MSRP: $240|Avg: $200

96%

#52

Core i5-11500

MSRP: $192|Avg: $110

96%

#53

Core i3-12100F

MSRP: $97|Avg: $90

96%

#54

Core Ultra 7 265

MSRP: $384|Avg: $320

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Ryzen 5 5600X (2020) utilizes 7 nm, 12 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	A9-9420	Ryzen 5 5600X
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($30)	⚠️ Higher cost ($135)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) / 28 nm)	✨ Modern (Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) / 7 nm, 12 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The A9-9420 (2016) relies on 28 nm technology and DDR4, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	A9-9420	Ryzen 5 5600X
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+216%)
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($30)	⚠️ Higher cost ($135)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

A9-9420 Benchmark Check

Ryzen 5 5600X Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of A9-9420 and Ryzen 5 5600X

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.

Ryzen 5 5600X

The Ryzen 5 5600X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 21,845 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The A9-9420 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 5600X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the A9-9420 versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X — a 24.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600X (base: 3 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The A9-9420 uses the Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the A9-9420 scores 1,538 against the Ryzen 5 5600X's 21,845 — a 173.7% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600X. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A9-9420 vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	A9-9420	Ryzen 5 5600X
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	4.6 GHz+28%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.7 GHz+23%
L3 Cache	0 kB	32 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB (total)+100%	512K (per core)
Process	28 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-75%
Architecture	Stoney Ridge (2016−2019)	Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	1,538	21,845+1320%
Geekbench 6 Single	497	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	950	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The A9-9420 uses the FT4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2133 memory speed. The Ryzen 5 5600X supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 176.5% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (A9-9420) vs 2 (Ryzen 5 5600X). PCIe lanes: 8 (A9-9420) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600X) — the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SoC (A9-9420) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 5 5600X).

Feature	A9-9420	Ryzen 5 5600X
Socket	FT4	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	128 GB+1500%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	❌	✅
PCIe Lanes	8	24+200%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 5600X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AMD-V virtualization. The A9-9420 includes integrated graphics (Radeon R5), while the Ryzen 5 5600X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A9-9420 targets Budget Laptop, Ryzen 5 5600X targets Desktop. Direct competitor: A9-9420 rivals Pentium N4200.

Feature	A9-9420	Ryzen 5 5600X
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Radeon R5	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	AMD-V
Target Use	Budget Laptop	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

The A9-9420 launched at $150 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 5600X debuted at $299. At current prices ($30 vs $135), the A9-9420 is $105 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the A9-9420 delivers 51.3 pts/$ vs 161.8 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600X — making the Ryzen 5 5600X the 103.8% better value option.