AMD A6-9400 vs Intel Core i5-4210U Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data consistently favors the AMD A6-9400 across every shared test, making it the stronger performer in this comparison. The AMD part wins all five head-to-head Cinebench comparisons, with deltas ranging from 17.2% to 17.8% in its favor. The Intel Core i5-4210U, while matching the A6-9400 in overall percentile ranking at 21, trails in every measured metric. For a user prioritizing raw compute throughput in multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads, the AMD A6-9400 is the clear choice. The Intel part’s only advantages lie in its dramatically lower 15 W TDP versus 65 W, and its mobile-oriented BGA 1168 socket, which suits thin-and-light laptops but not desktop builds. Strictly from the data, a desktop user should pick the AMD A6-9400; a mobile system builder would choose the Intel i5-4210U solely for its power envelope and form factor, accepting lower performance.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies and eras. The AMD A6-9400 uses the Excavator architecture on a 28 nm process from GlobalFoundries, with the Bristol Ridge codename. It packs 3,100 million transistors on a 250 mm² die. The Intel Core i5-4210U uses the older Haswell architecture on Intel’s 22 nm process, with 1,400 million transistors on a much smaller 118 mm² die. This means AMD’s chip is physically larger and denser, while Intel’s is more power-efficient per area.

Cache organizations diverge sharply. The A6-9400 has 160 KB of L1 cache and 1 MB of shared L2 cache, with no L3 cache at all. The i5-4210U has 64 KB of L1 per core (128 KB total for two cores), 256 KB of L2 per core (512 KB total), and a 3 MB shared L3 cache. Intel’s extra L3 cache provides a latency buffer for frequently accessed data, but the benchmark results show it does not compensate for the AMD part’s higher clock speeds and newer memory interface.

Memory support differs completely: the A6-9400 supports DDR4 with dual-channel memory and a measured 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the i5-4210U supports DDR3 with no memory bus or bandwidth figures listed. The AMD part also features PCIe Gen 3 with 8 lanes from the CPU, whereas the Intel part has no PCIe specification listed. Integrated graphics differ as well: AMD pairs the A6-9400 with Radeon R5 graphics, while Intel uses HD 4400. Neither has ECC memory support, and both have locked multipliers.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD A6-9400 wins every shared benchmark by a nearly uniform margin. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the A6-9400 scores 232 against 197 for the i5-4210U, a 17.8% advantage. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore: 969 versus 824, a 17.6% lead. The single-core tests tell the same story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, AMD scores 136 versus Intel’s 116, a 17.2% delta. The newer Cinebench R23 workloads show the A6-9400 at 2309 multicore and 326 single-core, against 1962 and 277 for the Intel part, both delivering a 17.7% gap.

The consistency of these deltas is notable. Across every test, the AMD advantage sits tightly between 17.2% and 17.8%. This suggests a systematic performance edge rather than a workload-specific anomaly. The i5-4210U’s four threads (two cores with Hyper-Threading) do not help it overcome the A6-9400’s two physical cores, which run at a 3.40 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost. The Intel part’s base clock of 1700.00 MHz is less than half the AMD’s base, and its 2.70 GHz boost still falls short. The average benchmark score reflects this: the A6-9400 averages 794, while the i5-4210U averages 788, a small but consistent overall gap.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors:

• Cores: Both have 2, but the Intel has 4 threads versus 2 for AMD.
• Base Clock: AMD 3.40 GHz versus Intel 1700.00 MHz.
• Boost Clock: AMD 3.70 GHz versus Intel 2.70 GHz.
• TDP: AMD 65 W versus Intel 15 W.
• Socket: AMD Socket AM4 versus Intel BGA 1168.
• Process Node: 28 nm (GlobalFoundries) versus 22 nm (Intel).
• Transistors: 3,100 million versus 1,400 million.
• Die Size: 250 mm² versus 118 mm².
• L1 Cache: 160 KB total versus 64 KB per core.
• L2 Cache: 1 MB shared versus 256 KB per core.
• L3 Cache: None versus 3 MB shared.
• Memory Support: DDR4 versus DDR3.
• Memory Bus: Dual-channel versus not listed.
• Memory Bandwidth: 38.4 GB/s versus not listed.
• PCIe: Gen 3, 8 Lanes (CPU only) versus not listed.
• Integrated Graphics: Radeon R5 versus Intel HD 4400.
• Market Segment: Desktop versus Mobile.
• Release Date: 2019-03-15 versus 2014-04-13.
• Part Number: AD9400AGABBOX versus SR1EF.

Fields that are the same: both have 2 cores, no ECC support, locked multipliers, and no launch MSRP listed.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The AMD A6-9400 wins all multi-core Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 2309 versus 1962 for the Intel i5-4210U, a 17.7% advantage. The R15 and R20 multicore tests show similar leads of 17.8% and 17.6%, respectively.

Q: Does the Intel processor’s 4 threads help it compete?

A: No. Despite having 4 threads versus the AMD’s 2, the i5-4210U loses every multi-core benchmark. Its 1700.00 MHz base clock and 2.70 GHz boost cannot overcome the A6-9400’s 3.40 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The AMD leads by 17.2% in Cinebench R20 single-core (136 versus 116) and by 17.7% in Cinebench R23 single-core (326 versus 277). The Intel part has no single-core benchmark where it wins.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The Intel i5-4210U has a 15 W TDP, while the AMD A6-9400 has a 65 W TDP. This makes the Intel part far more suitable for battery-powered or thermally constrained mobile designs.

Q: Are these processors in the same performance class overall?

A: Both have a 21st percentile ranking among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are close: 794 for the AMD versus 788 for the Intel. However, the head-to-head tests show the AMD consistently ahead by roughly 17.5%.

Q: Which processor supports newer memory technology?

A: The AMD A6-9400 supports DDR4 with dual-channel memory and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel i5-4210U supports DDR3, with no memory bus or bandwidth figures listed in the data.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD A6-9400 wins in every measurable performance category from the data. Its five head-to-head benchmark victories cover both single-core and multi-core Cinebench tests across R15, R20, and R23 versions. The consistency of its 17.2% to 17.8% lead indicates a broad advantage that would apply to most CPU-bound tasks, from rendering to compilation to general desktop responsiveness. Its DDR4 memory support and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth also give it a modern memory subsystem edge. The 65 W TDP suggests it is designed for desktop systems with adequate cooling, where the higher power draw is acceptable. Its AM4 socket provides upgrade flexibility within that platform.

The Intel Core i5-4210U wins in no benchmark comparisons, but it has structural advantages that matter in specific contexts. Its 15 W TDP is 76.9% lower than the AMD’s 65 W (using the values in the data), making it the only choice for fanless or ultra-portable designs. Its BGA 1168 socket is soldered, which is typical for mobile processors in thin laptops. The 3 MB L3 cache and 4 threads could theoretically benefit latency-sensitive or highly threaded mobile workloads, but the benchmark data shows no such benefit in the Cinebench suite. The Intel part also has a 22 nm process, which historically correlates with better power efficiency per clock, though the data does not provide direct efficiency metrics.

In summary, the AMD A6-9400 is the performance winner in every shared test and is the appropriate choice for desktop users who prioritize compute throughput. The Intel i5-4210U is the appropriate choice only for mobile system builders who need the drastically lower 15 W TDP and are willing to accept a 17%+ performance deficit. The data offers no scenario where the Intel chip wins on raw speed.