A9-9420e vs Core 2 Duo P9600

CPU

GPU

A9-9420e

2 Cores2 Thrd1 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2018

Core 2 Duo P9600

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.66 GHz2009

Performance Spectrum - CPU

A9-9420e

2 / 2

1,101

+0.7%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core 2 Duo P9600

2 / 2

1,093

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.

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 P9600 is on rank 609, so the Core 2 Duo P9600 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

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

Performance Per Dollar A9-9420e

#820

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1332%

#821

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1313%

#822

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1205%

#823

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1200%

#824

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1189%

#826

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1148%

#827

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1101%

#828

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1099%

#829

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1069%

#833

A9-9420e

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#834

FX-9830P

MSRP: $150|Avg: $45

100%

#835

Celeron M P4600

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

100%

#836

Celeron 887

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

99%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo P9600

#185

Ryzen 7 5825C

MSRP: $400|Avg: $400

100%

#597

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

805%

#598

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

794%

#599

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

729%

#600

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

725%

#601

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

719%

#603

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

694%

#604

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

665%

#605

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

664%

#606

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

646%

#609

Core 2 Duo P9600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#622

Athlon II P320

MSRP: $50|Avg: $15

98%

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 A9-9420e (2018) utilizes 28 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	A9-9420e	Core 2 Duo P9600
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	✨ Modern (Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) / 28 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo P9600 (2009) relies on 45 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	A9-9420e	Core 2 Duo P9600
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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.

A9-9420e Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo P9600 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of A9-9420e and Core 2 Duo P9600

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 P9600

The Core 2 Duo P9600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 2.66 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,093 points. Launch price was $348.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the A9-9420e and Core 2 Duo P9600 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the A9-9420e versus 2.66 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P9600 — a 6.2% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo P9600. The A9-9420e uses the Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core 2 Duo P9600 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A9-9420e scores 1,101 against the Core 2 Duo P9600's 1,093 — a 0.7% lead for the A9-9420e.

Feature	A9-9420e	Core 2 Duo P9600
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz	2.66 GHz+6%
Base Clock	—	2.66 GHz
L3 Cache	—	6 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	1 MB	6 MB+500%
Process	28 nm-38%	45 nm
Architecture	Stoney Ridge (2016−2019)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	1,101	1,093

🧠

Memory & Platform

The A9-9420e uses the BGA socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo P9600 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A9-9420e	Core 2 Duo P9600
Socket	BGA	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	16	—
RAM Channels	1	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	4	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (A9-9420e) / not specified (Core 2 Duo P9600). The A9-9420e includes integrated graphics (Radeon R5 Graphics), while the Core 2 Duo P9600 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: A9-9420e rivals Pentium N4200.