A9-9420e vs Athlon 64 X2 3800+

A9-9420e vs Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Performance Spectrum

A9-9420e

2 / 2

1,101

+0.5%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Athlon 64 X2 3800+

2 / 2

1,095

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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.

A9-9420e vs Athlon 64 X2 3800+ 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.

A9-9420e vs Athlon 64 X2 3800+: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

A9-9420e

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.7% higher average FPS across 34 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 1W instead of 89W, a 88W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (4 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon R5 Graphics, while Athlon 64 X2 3800+ needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Athlon 64 X2 3800+

2005

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A9-9420e across 34 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,095 vs 1,101).
❌Launch MSRP is still $354 MSRP, while A9-9420e mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌8800% higher power demand at 89W vs 1W.
❌No integrated graphics, while A9-9420e can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is A9-9420e better than Athlon 64 X2 3800+?

Yes. A9-9420e is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.7% average FPS lead across 34 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% 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, A9-9420e is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.7% more average FPS across 34 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, A9-9420e 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?

A9-9420e is still the much better call for a fresh build. A9-9420e comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $354 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.7% average FPS lead across 34 shared CPU game tests in our data. Athlon 64 X2 3800+ only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2005 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (3.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on 939.

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

A9-9420e makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2005) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A9-9420e vs Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

A9-9420e

The A9-9420e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 June 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.5 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: BGA. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,101 points. Launch price was $69.

Athlon 64 X2 3800+

The Athlon 64 X2 3800+ is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Manchester (2005−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: 939. Thermal design power (TDP): 89 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,095 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

Both the A9-9420e and Athlon 64 X2 3800+ share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the A9-9420e versus 2 GHz on the Athlon 64 X2 3800+ — a 22.2% clock advantage for the A9-9420e. The A9-9420e uses the Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Athlon 64 X2 3800+ uses Manchester (2005−2006) (90 nm). In PassMark, the A9-9420e scores 1,101 against the Athlon 64 X2 3800+'s 1,095 — a 0.5% lead for the A9-9420e.

Feature	A9-9420e	Athlon 64 X2 3800+
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz+25%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	—	0 kB
L2 Cache	1 MB+100%	512 kB
Process	28 nm-69%	90 nm
Architecture	Stoney Ridge (2016−2019)	Manchester (2005−2006)
PassMark	1,101	1,095

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Memory & Platform

The A9-9420e uses the BGA socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Athlon 64 X2 3800+ uses 939 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 2133 on the A9-9420e versus DDR2-800 on the Athlon 64 X2 3800+ — the A9-9420e supports 166.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 1 (A9-9420e) vs 2 (Athlon 64 X2 3800+). PCIe lanes: 4 (A9-9420e) vs 0 (Athlon 64 X2 3800+) — the A9-9420e offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: FT4,FP4 (A9-9420e) and AMD AM2 (Athlon 64 X2 3800+).

Feature	A9-9420e	Athlon 64 X2 3800+
Socket	BGA	939
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	2133+167%	DDR2-800
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	16 GB
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	4	0

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (A9-9420e) / not specified (Athlon 64 X2 3800+). The A9-9420e includes integrated graphics (Radeon R5 Graphics), while the Athlon 64 X2 3800+ requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: A9-9420e rivals Pentium N4200.