AMD A6-6400B

The AMD A6-6400B is a desktop processor built on the Piledriver architecture, released under the Richland codename on May 31, 2013. It pairs two cores with two threads, runs at a base clock of 3.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, and integrates a Radeon HD 8470D graphics unit. The processor targets the AMD Socket FM2 platform, carries a 65 W TDP, and has reached end-of-life production status. Its part number is AD640BOKA23HL, and the multiplier is unlocked for overclocking.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark database currently holds no recorded scores for the A6-6400B; the average benchmark score stands at 0, and the benchmarks array is empty. However, the processor's percentile ranking against all CPUs in the database is 50, placing it exactly at the median of the entire field. This means half of all processors in the database rank above it and half rank below it — a position that reflects a middle-of-the-road performance tier rather than a high-end or entry-level outlier.

The clock speed profile provides some insight into expected behavior. With a base clock of 3.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, the A6-6400B operates at frequencies that are competitive for its generation. The gap between base and boost is modest, suggesting that the boost state is sustainable under typical workloads rather than a brief turbo spike. For a dual-core, dual-thread part, these clocks indicate that single-threaded tasks should benefit from the high frequency, though the lack of additional threads limits throughput in heavily parallel workloads.

Without direct rival scores in the dataset, the percentile figure is the primary comparative anchor. A 50th-percentile placement means the A6-6400B is neither a performance leader nor a laggard; it sits in the middle of the distribution. This is consistent with a dual-core Richland part aimed at basic desktop usage — office productivity, web browsing, and light media consumption — rather than demanding compute tasks. The empty benchmark array means that the 0 average score should not be interpreted as a performance failure; it simply reflects the absence of recorded measurements.

Platform and Compatibility

The A6-6400B uses the AMD Socket FM2 interface, a platform designed for the Richland and Trinity generation of accelerated processing units. The socket supports the Piledriver architecture, and the processor's part number is AD640BOKA23HL. Memory support is limited to DDR3, operating in a dual-channel configuration, with a total memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s. ECC memory is not supported, which positions this processor firmly in the consumer desktop segment rather than workstation or server environments.

PCIe connectivity is provided through a Gen 2 interface. While this is an older generation of the PCIe standard, it is sufficient for the integrated graphics and typical expansion cards of the era. The processor includes an integrated Radeon HD 8470D GPU, which eliminates the need for a discrete graphics card in basic builds. The multiplier is unlocked, allowing enthusiasts to adjust the clock multiplier for overclocking, provided the motherboard chipset supports such adjustments.

The production status is end-of-life, and the release date was May 31, 2013. For a platform in this state, the upgrade path is limited to other FM2 processors from the same generation. The processor's market segment is Desktop, and its generation label is "A6 (Richland)," which indicates its position within AMD's A6 product tier. The die size is 246 mm², and the transistor count is 1,303 million, both manufactured by GlobalFoundries on a 32 nm process node.

Power and Thermals

The A6-6400B carries a TDP of 65 W. This is a moderate power envelope for a desktop processor, indicating that a standard air cooler is sufficient for normal operation. The 32 nm process node, manufactured by GlobalFoundries, is a mature lithography for the era; the die size is 246 mm² and the transistor count is 1,303 million. The combination of a 32 nm process and a 65 W TDP suggests that thermal output is manageable without exotic cooling solutions.

For builders, the 65 W TDP class implies that the processor can be cooled by a capable air cooler, and the unlocked multiplier provides headroom for overclocking, though pushing the clock speed higher would increase thermal load beyond the stock TDP. The integrated Radeon HD 8470D GPU shares the same thermal envelope, meaning the total heat generated by the processor includes both the CPU cores and the graphics unit. The modest TDP also makes the A6-6400B suitable for compact desktop builds where cooling space is limited.

FAQ

Q: How many cores and threads does the AMD A6-6400B have?

A: The A6-6400B has 2 cores and 2 threads, with no simultaneous multithreading.

Q: What is the base and boost clock speed?

A: The base clock is 3.90 GHz and the boost clock is 4.10 GHz.

Q: Does the A6-6400B have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes a Radeon HD 8470D integrated graphics unit.

Q: What memory type does it support?

A: It supports DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s. ECC memory is not supported.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked?

A: Yes, the multiplier is unlocked, allowing overclocking.

Q: What socket does the A6-6400B use?

A: It uses the AMD Socket FM2 interface.

Q: Is the processor still in production?

A: No, it is end-of-life. It was released on May 31, 2013.

How It Compares

The dataset does not include any nearest rival entries for the A6-6400B, so direct head-to-head comparisons with specific competing processors cannot be quantified. However, the overall percentile ranking provides context: at the 50th percentile of all CPUs in the database, the A6-6400B sits at the exact midpoint. This means it outperforms roughly half of all processors in the database and is outperformed by the other half.

In the absence of rival data, the comparison must rely on the processor's own characteristics. With 2 cores, 2 threads, and a 4.10 GHz boost clock, the A6-6400B is positioned as an entry-level desktop part. Its 65 W TDP and integrated Radeon HD 8470D graphics make it a self-contained solution for basic systems. The 32 nm process node and 1,303 million transistors indicate a design that prioritizes cost-effectiveness over raw performance.

For users coming from older dual-core platforms, the A6-6400B would represent a generational step forward in clock speed and integrated graphics capability. For users comparing it to modern multi-core processors, the 2-core/2-thread configuration is a clear limitation in multi-threaded workloads. The 50th-percentile ranking captures this trade-off: the processor is competitive in single-threaded tasks thanks to its high clock speeds, but the lack of additional cores or threads holds it back in parallel workloads.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The A6-6400B's execution profile is defined by its 2-core, 2-thread configuration. With no simultaneous multithreading, each core handles exactly one thread. This means the processor can execute two threads concurrently, and no more. For single-threaded workloads, the high boost clock of 4.10 GHz is the key asset. Tasks such as web browsing, document editing, and light productivity applications that rely on a single thread will benefit from the high frequency.

Multi-threaded workloads present a different picture. With only two threads available, the processor cannot scale beyond two concurrent execution streams. Applications that can utilize four, six, or eight threads will leave the A6-6400B at a significant disadvantage compared to processors with more cores. The L2 cache is 1 MB shared between the two cores, and the L1 cache is 96 KB. These cache sizes are modest by modern standards but appropriate for the dual-core design.

The memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s over dual-channel DDR3 provides adequate data throughput for the two cores. In practice, the A6-6400B is best suited for workloads that are predominantly single-threaded or lightly threaded. The boost clock of 4.10 GHz, combined with the Piledriver architecture, makes the processor responsive in everyday tasks. However, the 50th-percentile ranking reflects the reality that most modern CPUs offer more cores and threads, which the A6-6400B cannot match. The unlocked multiplier does provide some mitigation, allowing users to push the clock speed higher for single-threaded gains, but it cannot compensate for the fundamental thread-count ceiling.