AMD A6-9400 vs AMD Athlon X4 760K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the AMD A6-9400 and the AMD Athlon X4 760K is complicated by the fact that the two processors were tested under different benchmark suites. The database records five Cinebench results for the A6-9400 (R15, R20, and R23, both multi-core and single-core variants) and two Geekbench results for the Athlon X4 760K (multi-core and single-core). There are no shared tests, so direct head-to-head comparisons require extrapolation from the average benchmark scores and percentile rankings.

The A6-9400 posts an average benchmark score of 794, while the Athlon X4 760K records 777. That is a 17-point gap, roughly 2.2% in favor of the A6-9400. Both processors sit at the 21st percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy a similar tier of overall performance. The A6-9400's nearest rivals include the AMD A10-5800B (average score 794, delta 0.1%), the AMD A10-7850K (796, delta -0.3%), the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G (797, delta -0.3%), and the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 (790, delta 0.5%). The Athlon X4 760K's nearest rivals are the Intel Pentium G4520 (778, delta -0.1%), the AMD A10-5800K (778, delta -0.1%), the Intel Pentium Silver J5005 (776, delta 0.1%), and the Intel Celeron G5920 (775, delta 0.3%).

In the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, the A6-9400 scores 2309, while its single-core score is 326. The R20 multi-core result is 969, with a single-core score of 136. The R15 multi-core result is 232. These numbers indicate a processor that scales modestly with additional threads, consistent with its dual-core, dual-thread design. The Athlon X4 760K, by contrast, delivers a Geekbench multi-core score of 1098 and a single-core score of 455. The multi-core advantage of the Athlon X4 760K over its own single-core result is roughly 2.4x, which reflects the benefit of four physical cores.

Because the test suites differ, the data does not support a single winner across all workloads. The A6-9400 holds a slight edge in average benchmark score, but the Athlon X4 760K counters with a much stronger multi-threaded result within its own benchmark family. The A6-9400's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 2309, when compared to its R20 score of 969, suggests a generational difference in the test workload rather than a linear scaling of performance.

Architecture Differences

The A6-9400 uses the Excavator architecture, built on Bristol Ridge, while the Athlon X4 760K uses Piledriver, built on Richland. The A6-9400 is fabricated on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries, with 3,100 million transistors on a 250 mm² die. The Athlon X4 760K uses a 32 nm process, also at GlobalFoundries, with 1,303 million transistors on a 246 mm² die. The transistor count difference is substantial: the A6-9400 packs more than double the transistors of the Athlon X4 760K, despite the older process node.

Core counts differ as well. The A6-9400 has 2 cores and 2 threads; the Athlon X4 760K has 4 cores and 4 threads. The A6-9400's cache layout includes 160 KB of L1 and 1 MB of shared L2. The Athlon X4 760K provides 192 KB of L1 and 4 MB of L2. Neither processor includes L3 cache or 3D V-Cache. The A6-9400 supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth. The Athlon X4 760K supports DDR3 memory, also dual-channel, with 29.9 GB/s of bandwidth. That is a 28.4% bandwidth advantage for the A6-9400, directly tied to the newer memory standard.

The A6-9400 includes integrated Radeon R5 graphics; the Athlon X4 760K has no integrated graphics. The A6-9400 runs on AMD Socket AM4 with PCIe Gen 3, using 8 lanes from the CPU. The Athlon X4 760K runs on AMD Socket FM2 with PCIe Gen 2. The A6-9400 has a locked multiplier, while the Athlon X4 760K has an unlocked multiplier. The A6-9400 is listed as Active production status, released in March 2019. The Athlon X4 760K is End-of-life, released in May 2013.

Power characteristics differ sharply. The A6-9400 has a TDP of 65 watts; the Athlon X4 760K has a TDP of 100 watts. The A6-9400's base clock is 3.40 GHz with a boost to 3.70 GHz. The Athlon X4 760K's base clock is 3.80 GHz with a boost to 4.10 GHz. The Athlon X4 760K runs faster at both idle and peak clocks, but consumes 35 watts more under the TDP rating.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the A6-9400 and Athlon X4 760K are close overall performers, but they serve different use cases. The A6-9400's average benchmark score of 794 slightly edges the Athlon X4 760K's 777, and both sit at the 21st percentile. The A6-9400 brings a modern socket (AM4), DDR4 memory support, integrated graphics, and a much lower TDP of 65 watts. The Athlon X4 760K counters with four physical cores, higher clock speeds (3.80 GHz base, 4.10 GHz boost), an unlocked multiplier, and a longer history on the FM2 platform.

For a system that needs integrated graphics, the A6-9400 is the only option, since the Athlon X4 760K lacks any iGPU. For multi-threaded workloads that can use four cores, the Athlon X4 760K's Geekbench multi-core score of 1098 versus its single-core score of 455 suggests better scaling than the A6-9400's dual-core design. However, the A6-9400's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 2309 and single-core score of 326 indicate that even with two cores, it delivers a respectable result in modern rendering tests.

The A6-9400 is the more efficient part, with a 35-watt TDP advantage and newer memory support. The Athlon X4 760K is the more flexible part for overclocking, given its unlocked multiplier, and offers more raw cores. Neither processor is a clear winner; the choice depends on platform requirements and workload type. The database shows both at the 21st percentile, reinforcing that they are peers in overall performance.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD A6-9400 | AMD Athlon X4 760K |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 2 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.40 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.70 GHz | 4.10 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 100 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | AMD Socket FM2 |

| Architecture | Excavator | Piledriver |

| Codename | Bristol Ridge | Richland |

| Process Node | 28 nm | 32 nm |

| Transistors | 3,100 million | 1,303 million |

| Die Size | 250 mm² | 246 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 160 KB | 192 KB |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (shared) | 4 MB |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 29.9 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 2 |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon R5 | None |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2019-03-15 | 2013-05-31 |

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD Athlon X4 760K has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the AMD A6-9400 has 2 cores and 2 threads.

Q: Does the A6-9400 include integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the A6-9400 includes Radeon R5 integrated graphics. The Athlon X4 760K has no integrated graphics.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: The A6-9400 supports DDR4 memory with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Athlon X4 760K supports DDR3 memory with 29.9 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The A6-9400 has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Athlon X4 760K has a TDP of 100 watts.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Athlon X4 760K has a higher boost clock at 4.10 GHz, compared to the A6-9400's 3.70 GHz boost.

Q: Are both processors at the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both are at the 21st percentile among all CPUs in the database. The A6-9400 has an average benchmark score of 794, and the Athlon X4 760K has 777.

Where Each One Wins

The A6-9400 wins in efficiency and platform modernity. Its 65-watt TDP is 35 watts lower than the Athlon X4 760K's 100-watt TDP. It uses the AM4 socket, which is a newer platform, and supports DDR4 memory with 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth, a 28.4% improvement over the Athlon X4 760K's 29.9 GB/s. The A6-9400 also includes Radeon R5 integrated graphics, making it a self-contained solution for systems without a discrete GPU. Its average benchmark score of 794 is slightly higher than the Athlon X4 760K's 777, and its nearest rivals include processors like the AMD A10-7850K and Ryzen Embedded R1606G, all within a 0.3% delta.

The Athlon X4 760K wins in raw multi-threaded capacity and clock speed. It has four physical cores versus two, and its Geekbench multi-core score of 1098 is more than double its single-core score of 455. Its base clock of 3.80 GHz and boost clock of 4.10 GHz both exceed the A6-9400's 3.40 GHz and 3.70 GHz. The unlocked multiplier allows manual overclocking, something the A6-9400 cannot offer. The Athlon X4 760K also has a larger L2 cache at 4 MB versus 1 MB shared on the A6-9400.

For a low-power office or media PC where integrated graphics and DDR4 support matter, the A6-9400 is the stronger choice. For a multi-threaded workload on a legacy FM2 platform, or for overclocking enthusiasts, the Athlon X4 760K provides more cores and higher clocks. The database shows both at the same percentile, so neither is a dominant performer. The A6-9400's active production status and 2019 release date contrast with the Athlon X4 760K's end-of-life status from 2013, which favors the A6-9400 for new builds.