Core i3-530
VS
A9-9425

Core i3-530 vs A9-9425

Intel

Core i3-530

2 Cores4 Thrd73 WWMax: 0.93 GHz2010
VS
AMD

A9-9425

2 Cores2 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.7 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 Core i3-530 is positioned at rank 933 and the A9-9425 is on rank 1078, so the Core i3-530 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 i3-530

#1
Ryzen 9 7950X
MSRP: $194|Avg: $20
23228%
#2
Core i9-10900T
MSRP: $120|Avg: $5
21948%
#3
Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE
MSRP: $423|Avg: $5
15936%
#4
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85
4801%
#5
Ryzen 9 9950X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $129
3803%
#6
Ryzen 5 8400F
MSRP: $303|Avg: $55
3327%
#7
Ryzen 7 PRO 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $60
1905%
#8
Ryzen 5 2600X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $55
1880%
#9
Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G
MSRP: $150|Avg: $60
1712%
#10
Core Ultra 5 245KF
MSRP: $294|Avg: $189
1712%
#11
Ryzen 5 5500
MSRP: $159|Avg: $85
1693%
#12
Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP: $199|Avg: $80
1647%
#13
Core i3-9100E
MSRP: $202|Avg: $30
1624%
#14
Core Ultra 5 245K
MSRP: $319|Avg: $200
1618%
#15
Core i3-8300T
MSRP: $138|Avg: $25
1603%
#303
Core i7-5960X
MSRP: $999|Avg: $83
100%
#933
Core i3-530
MSRP: $113|Avg: $15
100%
#935
Core i3-2105
MSRP: $138|Avg: $30
99%
#936
Athlon II X3 405e
MSRP: $100|Avg: $10
99%
#937
Core i3-3225
MSRP: $172|Avg: $167
99%
#938
Athlon II X3 400e
MSRP: $100|Avg: $10
98%
#939
Core i3-3220T
MSRP: $149|Avg: $146
98%
#940
Athlon II X2 245e
MSRP: $87|Avg: $15
98%
#941
Athlon II X2 240e
MSRP: $77|Avg: $77
97%
#942
Pentium G630T
MSRP: $79|Avg: $15
97%
#943
Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition
MSRP: $990|Avg: $175
97%
#946
Core i5-650
MSRP: $176|Avg: $22
95%
#947
A10-6790B
MSRP: $122|Avg: $50
94%
#948
Phenom X3 8600
MSRP: $100|Avg: $20
94%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar A9-9425

#1066
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
2899%
#1067
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
2857%
#1068
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
2623%
#1069
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
2611%
#1070
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
2587%
#1072
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
2498%
#1073
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
2395%
#1074
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
2391%
#1075
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
2327%
#1078
A9-9425
MSRP: $150|Avg: $30
100%
#1080
Core i5-4402E
MSRP: $266|Avg: $100
100%
#1082
A6-7000
MSRP: $100|Avg: $15
99%
#1083
Core i5-2520M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
98%
#1084
Core i7-2710QE
MSRP: $378|Avg: $40
98%
#1089
Core i5-3610ME
MSRP: $276|Avg: $22
95%
#1090
Core m3-7Y32
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
95%
#1092
Celeron B720
MSRP: $70|Avg: $10
94%
#1093
Celeron 847
MSRP: $134|Avg: $15
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 A9-9425 (2016) utilizes 28 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightCore i3-530A9-9425
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
More affordable ($15)
⚠️ Higher cost ($30)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) / 28 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i3-530 (2010) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightCore i3-530A9-9425
Cost Efficiency
Better overall value (+100%)
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($15)
⚠️ 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 Core i3-530 and A9-9425

Intel

Core i3-530

The Core i3-530 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.93 GHz, with boost up to 0.93 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,516 points. Launch price was $60.

AMD

A9-9425

The A9-9425 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 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FT4. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,518 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

The Core i3-530 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the A9-9425's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 0.93 GHz on the Core i3-530 versus 3.7 GHz on the A9-9425 — a 119.7% clock advantage for the A9-9425 (base: 2.93 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i3-530 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the A9-9425 uses Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-530 scores 1,516 against the A9-9425's 1,518 — a 0.1% lead for the A9-9425. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-530 vs 0 kB on the A9-9425.

FeatureCore i3-530A9-9425
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 2
Boost Clock
0.93 GHz
3.7 GHz+298%
Base Clock
2.93 GHz
3.1 GHz+6%
L3 Cache
4 MB (total)
0 kB
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
1 MB (per core)+300%
Process
32 nm
28 nm-13%
Architecture
Clarkdale (2010−2011)
Stoney Ridge (2016−2019)
PassMark
1,516
1,518
Geekbench 6 Single
422
Geekbench 6 Multi
724
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-530 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the A9-9425 uses FT4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i3-530A9-9425
Socket
LGA1156
FT4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity
8 GB
RAM Channels
1
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
8
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-530) / AMD-V (A9-9425). The A9-9425 includes integrated graphics (Radeon R5 (Stoney Ridge)), while the Core i3-530 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A9-9425 targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: A9-9425 rivals Pentium N4200.

FeatureCore i3-530A9-9425
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Radeon R5 (Stoney Ridge)
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
Target Use
Budget Laptop
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i3-530 launched at $113 MSRP, while the A9-9425 debuted at $150. At current prices ($15 vs $30), the Core i3-530 is $15 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-530 delivers 101.1 pts/$ vs 50.6 pts/$ for the A9-9425 — making the Core i3-530 the 66.5% better value option.

FeatureCore i3-530A9-9425
MSRP
$113-25%
$150
Avg Price (30d)
$15-50%
$30
Performance per Dollar
101.1+100%
50.6
Release Date
2010
2016