Xeon L3406
VS
A9-9420e

Xeon L3406 vs A9-9420e

Intel

Xeon L3406

2 Cores4 Thrd30 WWMax: 2.53 GHz2010
VS
AMD

A9-9420e

2 Cores2 Thrd1 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2018

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 Xeon L3406 is positioned at rank 969 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 Xeon L3406

#1
Xeon Platinum 8454H
MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A
35586%
#6
Xeon Gold 6240R
MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A
6719%
#10
Xeon 6337P
MSRP: $60|Avg: $5
5970%
#15
EPYC 9174F
MSRP: $194|Avg: $30
4612%
#535
Xeon W-3245M
MSRP: $5002|Avg: $5002
98%
#536
Xeon W-3265M
MSRP: $6300|Avg: $3500
97%
#969
Xeon L3406
MSRP: $189|Avg: $30
100%
#970
Xeon E5-2687W v2
MSRP: $2112|Avg: $62
100%
#972
Xeon L5430
MSRP: $390|Avg: $380
99%
#973
Xeon E5-2470
MSRP: $1440|Avg: $125
99%
#974
Xeon E5-2670
MSRP: $1552|Avg: $60
98%
#976
Xeon X3470
MSRP: $589|Avg: $16
97%
#979
Xeon E5-2689
MSRP: $1800|Avg: $18
94%
#980
Xeon E5-2450L
MSRP: $1106|Avg: $78
94%
#981
Xeon X3480
MSRP: $612|Avg: $48
93%
#982
Xeon E5-2687W
MSRP: $1885|Avg: $70
91%
#983
Xeon E5-4610
MSRP: $1219|Avg: $50
91%
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.
InsightXeon L3406A9-9420e
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($30)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 32 nm)
✨ Modern (Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) / 28 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon L3406 (2010) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3-1066, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightXeon L3406A9-9420e
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($30)
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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon L3406 and A9-9420e

Intel

Xeon L3406

The Xeon L3406 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 30 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 1,104 points. Launch price was $800.

AMD

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

The Xeon L3406 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the A9-9420e's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.53 GHz on the Xeon L3406 versus 2.5 GHz on the A9-9420e — a 1.2% clock advantage for the Xeon L3406. The A9-9420e is built on the Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon L3406 scores 1,104 against the A9-9420e's 1,101 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon L3406.

FeatureXeon L3406A9-9420e
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 2
Boost Clock
2.53 GHz+1%
2.5 GHz
Base Clock
2.26 GHz
L3 Cache
4 MB Intel® Smart Cache
L2 Cache
1 MB
Process
32 nm
28 nm-13%
Architecture
Stoney Ridge (2016−2019)
PassMark
1,104
1,101
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon L3406 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the A9-9420e uses BGA (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureXeon L3406A9-9420e
Socket
LGA1156
BGA
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
2133
Max RAM Capacity
16
RAM Channels
1
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
4
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon L3406) / true (A9-9420e). The A9-9420e includes integrated graphics (Radeon R5 Graphics), while the Xeon L3406 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: A9-9420e rivals Pentium N4200.

FeatureXeon L3406A9-9420e
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Radeon R5 Graphics
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
true