Core 2 Duo E8435 vs A9-9420e

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo E8435

2 / 2

1,104

+0.3%

1,101

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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 E8435 is positioned at rank 1152 and the A9-9420e is on rank 833, so the A9-9420e 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 Core 2 Duo E8435

#1140

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3986%

#1141

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3928%

#1142

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3606%

#1143

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

3590%

#1144

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

3557%

#1146

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

3435%

#1147

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

3293%

#1148

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

3288%

#1149

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

3200%

#1152

Core 2 Duo E8435

MSRP: $150|Avg: $74

100%

#1153

Celeron M 723

MSRP: $161|Avg: $161

100%

#1154

Core M-5Y51

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

98%

#1155

Core i7-3517UE

MSRP: $330|Avg: $35

98%

#1156

Pentium N3530

MSRP: $161|Avg: $20

98%

#1158

Core i3-330E

MSRP: $177|Avg: $89

97%

#1159

Core i7-2640M

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

96%

#1161

Core M-5Y71

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

96%

#1163

Core i7-2620M

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

95%

#1164

Celeron N3010

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

93%

#1165

Core i7-3537U

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

92%

#1166

Core M-5Y31

MSRP: $281|Avg: $30

92%

#1167

Core M-5Y10a

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

92%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

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 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	Core 2 Duo E8435	A9-9420e
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($74)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)	✨ Modern (Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) / 28 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo E8435 (2009) relies on 45 nm technology and DDR2, DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core 2 Duo E8435	A9-9420e
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($74)	✅ More affordable ($0)

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.

Core 2 Duo E8435 Benchmark Check

A9-9420e Benchmark Check

Loading...

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo E8435 and A9-9420e

Core 2 Duo E8435

The Core 2 Duo E8435 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.067 GHz, with boost up to 0.07 GHz. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: P. Thermal design power (TDP): 44 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,104 points. Launch price was $249.

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.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo E8435 and A9-9420e share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 0.07 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E8435 versus 2.5 GHz on the A9-9420e — a 189.1% clock advantage for the A9-9420e. The Core 2 Duo E8435 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the A9-9420e uses Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E8435 scores 1,104 against the A9-9420e's 1,101 — a 0.3% lead for the Core 2 Duo E8435.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8435	A9-9420e
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	0.07 GHz	2.5 GHz+3471%
Base Clock	3.067 GHz	—
L2 Cache	6 MB (total)+500%	1 MB
Process	45 nm	28 nm-38%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Stoney Ridge (2016−2019)
PassMark	1,104	1,101
Geekbench 6 Single	257	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo E8435 uses the P socket (PCIe 1.1), while the A9-9420e uses BGA (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core 2 Duo E8435 versus 2133 on the A9-9420e — the A9-9420e supports 199.4% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 2 (Core 2 Duo E8435) vs 1 (A9-9420e). PCIe lanes: 0 (Core 2 Duo E8435) vs 4 (A9-9420e) — the A9-9420e offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Socket P (Core 2 Duo E8435) and FT4,FP4 (A9-9420e).

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8435	A9-9420e
Socket	P	BGA
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	2133+71000%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+104857500%	16
RAM Channels	2+100%	1
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	0	4

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core 2 Duo E8435) vs true (A9-9420e). The A9-9420e includes integrated graphics (Radeon R5 Graphics), while the Core 2 Duo E8435 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: A9-9420e rivals Pentium N4200.