CPU
GPU
A9-9420e
Core 2 Duo E4400
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The A9-9420e is positioned at rank 833 and the Core 2 Duo E4400 is on rank 1001, so the A9-9420e offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar A9-9420e
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo E4400
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | A9-9420e | Core 2 Duo E4400 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($20) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) / 28 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Allendale (2006−2009) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | A9-9420e | Core 2 Duo E4400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($20) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of A9-9420e and Core 2 Duo E4400
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.
Core 2 Duo E4400
The Core 2 Duo E4400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Allendale (2006−2009) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,095 points. Launch price was $249.
Processing Power
Both the A9-9420e and Core 2 Duo E4400 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the A9-9420e versus 2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E4400 — a 22.2% clock advantage for the A9-9420e. The A9-9420e uses the Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core 2 Duo E4400 uses Allendale (2006−2009) (65 nm). In PassMark, the A9-9420e scores 1,101 against the Core 2 Duo E4400's 1,095 — a 0.5% lead for the A9-9420e.
| Feature | A9-9420e | Core 2 Duo E4400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.5 GHz+25% | 2 GHz |
| Base Clock | — | 2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 2 MB+100% |
| Process | 28 nm-57% | 65 nm |
| Architecture | Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) | Allendale (2006−2009) |
| PassMark | 1,101 | 1,095 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 208 |
Memory & Platform
The A9-9420e uses the BGA socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo E4400 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 2133 on the A9-9420e versus DDR2-1066 on the Core 2 Duo E4400 — the A9-9420e supports 199.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 of RAM. Memory channels: 1 (A9-9420e) vs 2 (Core 2 Duo E4400). PCIe lanes: 4 (A9-9420e) vs 0 (Core 2 Duo E4400) — the A9-9420e offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: FT4,FP4 (A9-9420e) and RS600,Q965 (Core 2 Duo E4400).
| Feature | A9-9420e | Core 2 Duo E4400 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA | LGA775 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+173% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | 2133+106550% | DDR2-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 | 16 GB+104857500% |
| RAM Channels | 1 | 2+100% |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 4 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (A9-9420e) vs None (Core 2 Duo E4400). The A9-9420e includes integrated graphics (Radeon R5 Graphics), while the Core 2 Duo E4400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Duo E4400 targets Budget. Direct competitor: A9-9420e rivals Pentium N4200; Core 2 Duo E4400 rivals Athlon II X2 240.
| Feature | A9-9420e | Core 2 Duo E4400 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Radeon R5 Graphics | — |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | None |
| Target Use | — | Budget |
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