Celeron N4020C
VS
A9-9420

Celeron N4020C vs A9-9420

Intel

Celeron N4020C

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2021
VS
AMD

A9-9420

2 Cores2 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2016

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 Celeron N4020C is positioned at rank 575 and the A9-9420 is on rank 1074, so the Celeron N4020C 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 Celeron N4020C

#179
Core i7-1260P
MSRP: $432|Avg: $432
100%
#563
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
763%
#564
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
752%
#565
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
691%
#566
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
687%
#567
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
681%
#569
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
658%
#570
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
631%
#571
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
630%
#572
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
613%
#575
Celeron N4020C
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#583
Processor N100
MSRP: $128|Avg: $100
99%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar A9-9420

#1062
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
2862%
#1063
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
2820%
#1064
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
2589%
#1065
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
2578%
#1066
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
2554%
#1068
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
2466%
#1069
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
2365%
#1070
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
2361%
#1071
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
2298%
#1074
A9-9420
MSRP: $150|Avg: $30
100%
#1075
Celeron B730
MSRP: $70|Avg: $10
100%
#1078
A9-9425
MSRP: $150|Avg: $30
99%
#1080
Core i5-4402E
MSRP: $266|Avg: $100
98%
#1081
A6-7000
MSRP: $100|Avg: $15
98%
#1083
Core i5-2520M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
97%
#1084
Core i7-2710QE
MSRP: $378|Avg: $40
97%
#1089
Core i5-3610ME
MSRP: $276|Avg: $22
94%
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 Celeron N4020C (2021) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4/LPDDR4 up to 2400 MT/s, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightCeleron N4020CA9-9420
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($30)
Longevity
✨ Modern (Legacy / 14 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) / 28 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The A9-9420 (2016) relies on 28 nm technology and DDR4, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightCeleron N4020CA9-9420
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($30)

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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Celeron N4020C and A9-9420

Intel

Celeron N4020C

The Celeron N4020C is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1090. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4/LPDDR4 up to 2400 MT/s. Passmark benchmark score: 1,537 points. Launch price was $69.

AMD

A9-9420

The A9-9420 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 31 May 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FT4. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,538 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

Both the Celeron N4020C and A9-9420 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Celeron N4020C versus 3.6 GHz on the A9-9420 — a 25% clock advantage for the A9-9420 (base: 1.1 GHz vs 3 GHz). The A9-9420 is built on the Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. In PassMark, the Celeron N4020C scores 1,537 against the A9-9420's 1,538 — a 0.1% lead for the A9-9420. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Celeron N4020C vs 0 kB on the A9-9420.

FeatureCeleron N4020CA9-9420
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 2
Boost Clock
2.8 GHz
3.6 GHz+29%
Base Clock
1.1 GHz
3 GHz+173%
L3 Cache
4 MB
0 kB
L2 Cache
1 MB (total)
Process
14 nm-50%
28 nm
Architecture
Stoney Ridge (2016−2019)
PassMark
1,537
1,538
Geekbench 6 Single
497
Geekbench 6 Multi
950
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron N4020C uses the FCBGA1090 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the A9-9420 uses FT4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCeleron N4020CA9-9420
Socket
FCBGA1090
FT4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0+33%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity
8 GB
RAM Channels
1
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
8
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Celeron N4020C) / AMD-V (A9-9420). The A9-9420 includes integrated graphics (Radeon R5), while the Celeron N4020C requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A9-9420 targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: A9-9420 rivals Pentium N4200.

FeatureCeleron N4020CA9-9420
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Radeon R5
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
Target Use
Budget Laptop