CPU
GPU
Core i5-4210Y
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 i5-4210Y is positioned at rank 218 and the A9-9420 is on rank 1074, so the Core i5-4210Y offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-4210Y
Performance Per Dollar A9-9420
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-4210Y | A9-9420 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) / 28 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-4210Y | A9-9420 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($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 i5-4210Y and A9-9420
Core i5-4210Y
The Core i5-4210Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 11.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,530 points. Launch price was $297.
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 i5-4210Y packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the A9-9420's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.9 GHz on the Core i5-4210Y versus 3.6 GHz on the A9-9420 — a 61.8% clock advantage for the A9-9420 (base: 1.5 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-4210Y uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the A9-9420 uses Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4210Y scores 1,530 against the A9-9420's 1,538 — a 0.5% lead for the A9-9420. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 580 vs 497, a 15.4% lead for the Core i5-4210Y that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-4210Y vs 0 kB on the A9-9420.
| Feature | Core i5-4210Y | A9-9420 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 1.9 GHz | 3.6 GHz+89% |
| Base Clock | 1.5 GHz | 3 GHz+100% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 1 MB (total)+100% |
| Process | 22 nm-21% | 28 nm |
| Architecture | Haswell (2013−2015) | Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) |
| PassMark | 1,530 | 1,538 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 580+17% | 497 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 950 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-4210Y uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the A9-9420 uses FT4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Core i5-4210Y 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 i5-4210Y supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-4210Y) vs 1 (A9-9420). PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i5-4210Y) vs 8 (A9-9420) — the Core i5-4210Y offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM86,HM87,QM87 (Core i5-4210Y) and SoC (A9-9420).
| Feature | Core i5-4210Y | A9-9420 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1168 | FT4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3L-1600 | DDR4-2133+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB+100% | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2+100% | 1 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 12+50% | 8 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, EPT (Core i5-4210Y) vs AMD-V (A9-9420). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 4200 (Core i5-4210Y) and Radeon R5 (A9-9420) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4210Y targets Tablet/2-in-1, A9-9420 targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-4210Y rivals A4-6210; A9-9420 rivals Pentium N4200.
| Feature | Core i5-4210Y | A9-9420 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 4200 | Radeon R5 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, EPT | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Tablet/2-in-1 | Budget Laptop |
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