CPU
GPU
Core i5-8210Y
A6-9400
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. The Core i5-8210Y is positioned at rank #1086 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-8210Y
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-8210Y | A6-9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) / 28 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-8210Y | A6-9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 i5-8210Y and A6-9400
Core i5-8210Y
The Core i5-8210Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 7 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,723 points. Launch price was $281.
A6-9400
The A6-9400 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 2,717 points. Launch price was $70.
Processing Power
The Core i5-8210Y packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the A6-9400's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-8210Y versus 3.7 GHz on the A6-9400 — a 2.7% clock advantage for the A6-9400 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i5-8210Y uses the Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) architecture (14 nm), while the A6-9400 uses Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8210Y scores 2,723 against the A6-9400's 2,717 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-8210Y.
| Feature | Core i5-8210Y | A6-9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz | 3.7 GHz+3% |
| Base Clock | 1.6 GHz | 3.4 GHz+112% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB | — |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 1 MB (total)+100% |
| Process | 14 nm-50% | 28 nm |
| Architecture | Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) | Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) |
| PassMark | 2,723 | 2,717 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 796 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-8210Y uses the FCBGA1515 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the A6-9400 uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR3-2133 on the Core i5-8210Y versus DDR4-2400 on the A6-9400 — the A6-9400 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The A6-9400 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 10 (Core i5-8210Y) vs 8 (A6-9400) — the Core i5-8210Y offers 2 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Amber Lake-Y (Core i5-8210Y) and AMD AM4 (A6-9400).
| Feature | Core i5-8210Y | A6-9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1515 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | LPDDR3-2133 | DDR4-2400+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 64 GB+300% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 10+25% | 8 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-8210Y) / not specified (A6-9400). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 617 (Core i5-8210Y) and AMD Radeon R5 (A6-9400) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8210Y targets Tablet/2-in-1. Direct competitor: Core i5-8210Y rivals Athlon 3050U.
| Feature | Core i5-8210Y | A6-9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 617 | AMD Radeon R5 |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Tablet/2-in-1 | — |
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