A9-9420e vs Core i7-620UM

A9-9420e vs Core i7-620UM Performance Spectrum

A9-9420e

2 / 2

1,101

+0.9%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i7-620UM

2 / 4

1,091

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 Core i7-620UM 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 Core i7-620UM: 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: +3.9% higher average FPS across 37 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 1W instead of 18W, a 17W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Core i7-620UM

2010

Why buy it

✅300% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A9-9420e across 37 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,091 vs 1,101).
❌Launch MSRP is still $278 MSRP, while A9-9420e mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1700% higher power demand at 18W vs 1W.

Quick Answers

So, is A9-9420e better than Core i7-620UM?

Yes. A9-9420e is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.9% average FPS lead across 37 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.9% 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 3.9% more average FPS across 37 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 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

A9-9420e is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. A9-9420e comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $278 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.9% average FPS lead across 37 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-620UM only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 3.9% in the shared gaming 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 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A9-9420e vs Core i7-620UM 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.

Core i7-620UM

The Core i7-620UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.06 GHz, with boost up to 2.13 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800. Passmark benchmark score: 1,091 points. Launch price was $278.

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Processing Power

The A9-9420e packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i7-620UM's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the A9-9420e versus 2.13 GHz on the Core i7-620UM — a 16% clock advantage for the A9-9420e. The A9-9420e uses the Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i7-620UM uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the A9-9420e scores 1,101 against the Core i7-620UM's 1,091 — a 0.9% lead for the A9-9420e.

Feature	A9-9420e	Core i7-620UM
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz+17%	2.13 GHz
Base Clock	—	1.06 GHz
L3 Cache	—	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	28 nm-13%	32 nm
Architecture	Stoney Ridge (2016−2019)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,101	1,091
Geekbench 6 Single	—	350
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	700

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Memory & Platform

The A9-9420e uses the BGA socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-620UM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 2133 on the A9-9420e versus DDR3-1066 on the Core i7-620UM — the A9-9420e supports 100.1% 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 (Core i7-620UM). PCIe lanes: 4 (A9-9420e) vs 16 (Core i7-620UM) — the Core i7-620UM offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: FT4,FP4 (A9-9420e) and HM55,QM57 (Core i7-620UM).

Feature	A9-9420e	Core i7-620UM
Socket	BGA	BGA1288
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	2133+100%	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+100%	8 GB
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	4	16+300%

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (A9-9420e) vs VT-x (Core i7-620UM). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon R5 Graphics (A9-9420e) and Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) (Core i7-620UM) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-620UM targets Ultra-Portable Laptop. Direct competitor: A9-9420e rivals Pentium N4200; Core i7-620UM rivals Core 2 Duo SU9600.

Feature	A9-9420e	Core i7-620UM
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Radeon R5 Graphics	Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	VT-x
Target Use	—	Ultra-Portable Laptop