A9-9420e vs Celeron N3050

A9-9420e vs Celeron N3050 Performance Spectrum

A9-9420e

2 / 2

1,101

+0.2%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Celeron N3050

2 / 2

1,099

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.

A9-9420e vs Celeron N3050 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 Celeron N3050: 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: +3.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 1W instead of 6W, a 5W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Celeron N3050

2015

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A9-9420e across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,099 vs 1,101).
❌500% higher power demand at 6W vs 1W.

Quick Answers

So, is A9-9420e better than Celeron N3050?

Yes. A9-9420e is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.2% 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 3.8% 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, A9-9420e is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

A9-9420e still makes the most sense overall. A9-9420e comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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 2015) 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 Celeron N3050 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.

Celeron N3050

The Celeron N3050 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Braswell (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.16 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,099 points. Launch price was $107.

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Processing Power

Both the A9-9420e and Celeron N3050 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the A9-9420e versus 2.16 GHz on the Celeron N3050 — a 14.6% clock advantage for the A9-9420e. The A9-9420e uses the Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Celeron N3050 uses Braswell (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A9-9420e scores 1,101 against the Celeron N3050's 1,099 — a 0.2% lead for the A9-9420e.

Feature	A9-9420e	Celeron N3050
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz+16%	2.16 GHz
Base Clock	—	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	—	0 kB
L2 Cache	1 MB	1 MB
Process	28 nm	14 nm-50%
Architecture	Stoney Ridge (2016−2019)	Braswell (2015−2016)
PassMark	1,101	1,099
Geekbench 6 Single	—	221
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	440

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Memory & Platform

The A9-9420e uses the BGA socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Celeron N3050 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 2133 on the A9-9420e versus DDR3L-1600 on the Celeron N3050 — the A9-9420e supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The A9-9420e supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (A9-9420e) vs 2 (Celeron N3050). Both provide 4 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: FT4,FP4 (A9-9420e) and Braswell SoC (Celeron N3050).

Feature	A9-9420e	Celeron N3050
Socket	BGA	FCBGA1170
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	2133+33%	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+100%	8 GB
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	4	4

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (A9-9420e) vs VT-x / EPT (Celeron N3050). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon R5 Graphics (A9-9420e) and Intel HD Graphics (Braswell) (Celeron N3050) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron N3050 targets Netbook. Direct competitor: A9-9420e rivals Pentium N4200; Celeron N3050 rivals AMD E2-7110.