CPU Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data places these two AMD desktop processors in an unusually tight statistical dead heat. The AMD A6-9400 and the AMD A10-5800B both post an identical average benchmark score of 794, with the A6-9400 holding a microscopic 0.1% advantage over the A10-5800B according to the nearestRivals deltaPct figures. That difference is effectively negligible in real-world terms; the data shows two chips landing within a rounding error of one another.

However, the nature of the benchmark results differs substantially. The A6-9400 was tested across a suite of Cinebench workloads, while the A10-5800B was evaluated using Geekbench tests. The A6-9400 delivers a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 2309 and a single-core score of 326. In Cinebench R20, it posts 969 multicore and 136 single-core. Its Cinebench R15 multicore result is 232. The A10-5800B, by contrast, shows a Geekbench multicore score of 1128 and a single-core score of 459.

The single-core comparison is particularly telling. The A10-5800B's Geekbench single-core score of 459 represents a decisive advantage over the A6-9400's Cinebench R20 single-core result of 136, though these are different benchmark suites measuring different workloads. That said, the A10-5800B's higher base clock of 3.80 GHz and boost clock of 4.20 GHz, versus the A6-9400's 3.40 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost, support the interpretation that the older chip has a meaningful single-threaded edge.

The multicore picture flips in favor of the A6-9400 when considering thread count efficiency. The A10-5800B has four physical cores and four threads, while the A6-9400 has only two cores and two threads. Yet the A6-9400's Cinebench R23 multicore score of 2309 is substantial for a dual-core part. The A10-5800B's Geekbench multicore score of 1128, while higher in absolute terms, must be weighed against the fact that it has twice the core count. The data suggests the A6-9400's Excavator architecture extracts more performance per core than the A10-5800B's Piledriver design.

Both processors sit at the 21st percentile among all CPUs, meaning they outperform roughly one-fifth of the processors in the benchmark database. Their nearest rivals cluster tightly: the AMD A10-7850K averages 796 (0.3% above the A6-9400), the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G also averages 797 (0.3% above), and the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 averages 790 (0.5% below the A6-9400). This grouping confirms that both chips occupy the same performance tier, and neither has a decisive aggregate win.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear conclusion: these processors are performance peers, and the choice between them should hinge on platform and workload characteristics rather than raw benchmark dominance. The A6-9400 and A10-5800B both achieve an average score of 794 and both sit at the 21st percentile, so neither offers a statistically meaningful performance advantage in aggregate.

The A6-9400 is the more modern part for users building on the AMD Socket AM4 platform. It supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and 38.4 GB/s of memory bandwidth, compared to the A10-5800B's DDR3 support with 29.9 GB/s. The A6-9400 also offers PCIe Gen 3 with 8 CPU lanes, while the A10-5800B is limited to PCIe Gen 2. Its 65W TDP is significantly lower than the A10-5800B's 100W TDP, and it remains in active production, whereas the A10-5800B is end-of-life.

The A10-5800B is the choice for users who prioritize raw core count and higher clock speeds on an older platform. It has four cores and four threads, a 3.80 GHz base clock, and a 4.20 GHz boost clock. Its Geekbench single-core score of 459 suggests it handles lightly threaded tasks with greater agility. Its integrated Radeon HD 7660D graphics may also appeal to users staying on the FM2 platform, though the A6-9400 counters with Radeon R5 graphics.

For a new build, the A6-9400's modern socket, DDR4 support, and active production status make it the more sensible pick. For an upgrade to an existing FM2 system, the A10-5800B's four cores and higher clocks offer a straightforward path. Neither chip will satisfy demanding workloads; the 21st percentile ranking places both firmly in entry-level territory.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: Both the AMD A6-9400 and the AMD A10-5800B have an identical average benchmark score of 794. The nearestRivals data shows the A6-9400 holds a 0.1% advantage over the A10-5800B, while the A10-5800B holds a -0.1% delta relative to the A6-9400.

Q: How do the core counts differ between the two chips?

A: The AMD A6-9400 has 2 cores and 2 threads, while the AMD A10-5800B has 4 cores and 4 threads. This gives the A10-5800B twice the physical core count.

Q: What memory types do these processors support?

A: The AMD A6-9400 supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD A10-5800B supports DDR3 memory with dual-channel configuration and 29.9 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The AMD A10-5800B has a boost clock of 4.20 GHz, which is higher than the AMD A6-9400's boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The A10-5800B also has a higher base clock at 3.80 GHz versus 3.40 GHz.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The AMD A6-9400 has an active production status, while the AMD A10-5800B is end-of-life.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The AMD A6-9400 has a TDP of 65W, while the AMD A10-5800B has a TDP of 100W. The A6-9400 consumes significantly less power.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. The AMD A6-9400 uses the AMD Socket AM4, while the AMD A10-5800B uses the AMD Socket FM2. The A6-9400 has 2 cores and 2 threads; the A10-5800B has 4 cores and 4 threads. Clock speeds favor the A10-5800B: it runs at 3.80 GHz base and 4.20 GHz boost, compared to the A6-9400's 3.40 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost. TDP differs substantially, with the A6-9400 at 65W and the A10-5800B at 100W.

Memory support diverges: the A6-9400 uses DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the A10-5800B uses DDR3 with 29.9 GB/s bandwidth. Both support dual-channel memory. PCIe connectivity also differs, with the A6-9400 offering Gen 3 with 8 CPU lanes versus the A10-5800B's Gen 2. The integrated graphics differ as well: the A6-9400 has Radeon R5, while the A10-5800B has Radeon HD 7660D. Production status separates them further, with the A6-9400 active and the A10-5800B end-of-life. Release dates show the A6-9400 launched on 2019-03-15, while the A10-5800B launched on 2012-10-01. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these chips is significant. The AMD A6-9400 is built on the Excavator architecture with the Bristol Ridge codename, while the AMD A10-5800B uses the Piledriver architecture with the Trinity codename. The process node differs: the A6-9400 is fabricated on a 28 nm process, while the A10-5800B uses a 32 nm process. Both are made by GlobalFoundries, but the transistor counts tell a stark story. The A6-9400 contains 3,100 million transistors on a 250 mm² die, while the A10-5800B contains 1,303 million transistors on a 246 mm² die. The A6-9400 packs more than twice the transistors into nearly the same die area.

Cache configurations also differ. The A6-9400 has 160 KB of L1 cache and 1 MB of shared L2 cache, with no L3 cache. The A10-5800B has 192 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of shared L2 cache, also with no L3 cache. The A10-5800B's larger L2 cache aligns with its higher core count. The A6-9400 benefits from a newer architecture and denser process node, which helps explain how it matches the A10-5800B's aggregate performance despite having half the cores.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD A6-9400 wins in platform modernity and efficiency. Its Socket AM4 compatibility, DDR4 memory support with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, and PCIe Gen 3 connectivity make it the better foundation for a current system. Its 65W TDP is markedly lower than the A10-5800B's 100W TDP, which translates to less power draw. Its active production status means it remains available for new builds, and its 28 nm process with 3,100 million transistors reflects a more advanced design. The A6-9400's Cinebench R23 multicore score of 2309 demonstrates that its two cores deliver strong multicore throughput relative to its core count.

The AMD A10-5800B wins in raw core count and clock speed. Its four cores and four threads provide more parallel processing capacity, and its 3.80 GHz base and 4.20 GHz boost clocks are both higher than the A6-9400's. Its Geekbench single-core score of 459 indicates strong lightly threaded performance. The A10-5800B also has a larger 4 MB shared L2 cache and 192 KB of L1 cache, which can benefit cache-sensitive workloads. Its Radeon HD 7660D integrated graphics may offer a different feature set than the A6-9400's Radeon R5.

The data shows no aggregate winner. Both chips score 794 on average and sit at the 21st percentile. The choice comes down to whether the user prioritizes a modern, efficient platform with DDR4 support or a higher-core-count, higher-clock-speed part for an existing FM2 socket system. The A6-9400 suits new builds and power-conscious users; the A10-5800B suits upgrades and multi-threaded workloads on legacy hardware.