Core i3-2340UE vs A9-9420
Core i3-2340UE
A9-9420
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 i3-2340UE is positioned at rank 1137 and the A9-9420 is on rank 1074, so the A9-9420 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2340UE
Performance Per Dollar A9-9420
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-2340UE | A9-9420 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($200) | ✅ More affordable ($30) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) / 28 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-2340UE | A9-9420 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+564%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($200) | ✅ More affordable ($30) |
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 i3-2340UE and A9-9420
Core i3-2340UE
The Core i3-2340UE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,545 points. Launch price was $250.
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
The Core i3-2340UE packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the A9-9420's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.3 GHz on the Core i3-2340UE versus 3.6 GHz on the A9-9420 — a 93.9% clock advantage for the A9-9420. The Core i3-2340UE uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the A9-9420 uses Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2340UE scores 1,545 against the A9-9420's 1,538 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i3-2340UE. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 230 vs 497, a 73.5% lead for the A9-9420 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2340UE vs 0 kB on the A9-9420.
| Feature | Core i3-2340UE | A9-9420 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 1.3 GHz | 3.6 GHz+177% |
| Base Clock | — | 3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 1 MB (total)+300% |
| Process | 32 nm | 28 nm-13% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) |
| PassMark | 1,545 | 1,538 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 230 | 497+116% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 950 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-2340UE uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the A9-9420 uses FT4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i3-2340UE versus DDR4-2133 on the A9-9420 — the A9-9420 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-2340UE supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i3-2340UE) vs 1 (A9-9420). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-2340UE) vs 8 (A9-9420) — the Core i3-2340UE offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM65,QM67 (Core i3-2340UE) and SoC (A9-9420).
| Feature | Core i3-2340UE | A9-9420 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1023 | FT4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR4-2133+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB+100% | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2+100% | 1 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16+100% | 8 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, EPT (Core i3-2340UE) vs AMD-V (A9-9420). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 3000 (Core i3-2340UE) and Radeon R5 (A9-9420) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-2340UE targets Embedded, A9-9420 targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-2340UE rivals Embedded G-Series; A9-9420 rivals Pentium N4200.
| Feature | Core i3-2340UE | A9-9420 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 3000 | Radeon R5 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, EPT | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Embedded | Budget Laptop |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-2340UE launched at $200 MSRP, while the A9-9420 debuted at $150. At current prices ($200 vs $30), the A9-9420 is $170 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-2340UE delivers 7.7 pts/$ vs 51.3 pts/$ for the A9-9420 — making the A9-9420 the 147.6% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-2340UE | A9-9420 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $200 | $150-25% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $200 | $30-85% |
| Performance per Dollar | 7.7 | 51.3+566% |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2016 |
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