CPU
GPU
Core 2 Duo E6420
A4-9120
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 Core 2 Duo E6420 is positioned at rank 1054 and the A4-9120 is on rank 871, so the A4-9120 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo E6420
Performance Per Dollar A4-9120
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E6420 | A4-9120 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Conroe (2006−2007) / 65 nm) | ✨ Modern (Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) / 28 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E6420 | A4-9120 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 Core 2 Duo E6420 and A4-9120
Core 2 Duo E6420
The Core 2 Duo E6420 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Conroe (2006−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 2.13 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,235 points. Launch price was $249.
A4-9120
The A4-9120 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 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: 1,222 points. Launch price was $50.
Processing Power
Both the Core 2 Duo E6420 and A4-9120 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.13 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E6420 versus 2.5 GHz on the A4-9120 — a 16% clock advantage for the A4-9120 (base: 2.13 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E6420 uses the Conroe (2006−2007) architecture (65 nm), while the A4-9120 uses Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E6420 scores 1,235 against the A4-9120's 1,222 — a 1.1% lead for the Core 2 Duo E6420.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E6420 | A4-9120 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.13 GHz | 2.5 GHz+17% |
| Base Clock | 2.13 GHz | 2.2 GHz+3% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | — |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB+300% | 1 MB |
| Process | 65 nm | 28 nm-57% |
| Architecture | Conroe (2006−2007) | Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) |
| PassMark | 1,235+1% | 1,222 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 350 |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Duo E6420 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the A4-9120 uses BGA (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1066 on the Core 2 Duo E6420 versus DDR4-2133 on the A4-9120 — the Core 2 Duo E6420 supports 198.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core 2 Duo E6420 supports up to 16 of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core 2 Duo E6420) vs 1 (A4-9120). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core 2 Duo E6420) vs 8 (A4-9120) — the Core 2 Duo E6420 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E6420 | A4-9120 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | BGA |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 3.0+173% |
| Max RAM Speed | 1066+26550% | DDR4-2133 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 | 8 GB+52428700% |
| RAM Channels | 2+100% | 1 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16+100% | 8 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core 2 Duo E6420) vs AMD-V (A4-9120). The A4-9120 includes integrated graphics (Radeon R3), while the Core 2 Duo E6420 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A4-9120 targets Entry Laptop. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E6420 rivals Athlon 64 X2 5400+; A4-9120 rivals Celeron N3350.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E6420 | A4-9120 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | None | Radeon R3 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | AMD-V |
| Target Use | — | Entry Laptop |
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