AMD A6-9400

The AMD A6-9400 is a dual-core, two-thread desktop processor built on the Excavator architecture (Bristol Ridge) and fabricated on a 28 nm process. It runs at a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, with a 65 W TDP, and integrates Radeon R5 graphics. In benchmark results, it lands in the 21st percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 794. That places it in the entry-level tier, directly comparable to several older AMD and Intel parts from the early 2010s.

Benchmark Performance

The A6-9400’s Cinebench scores reflect its modest dual-core configuration. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 232; in R20 multicore, 969; and in R23 multicore, 2309. The single-core results are 136 (R20) and 326 (R23). The R23 multicore figure is roughly seven times the single-core score, which is typical for a dual-core part without SMT—the scaling comes entirely from the two physical cores.

Against its nearest rivals, the A6-9400 is essentially a statistical tie. Its average benchmark score of 794 is 0.1% higher than the AMD A10-5800B (also 794), 0.3% lower than the AMD A10-7850K (796), 0.6% higher than the AMD Opteron 3350 HE (789), and 0.8% lower than the Intel Xeon E5530 (801). These deltaPct values are all under one percent, meaning the A6-9400 delivers effectively the same overall throughput as those four chips. In practice, you would not notice a difference between them in any CPU-bound task.

The percentile ranking of 21 is more telling. This processor outperforms only about a fifth of all CPUs in the database. That puts it well below modern mainstream parts, but it also means it is not completely obsolete—it can still handle light productivity and web workloads without major frustration. The multicore scores are particularly low relative to contemporary chips, but for a dual-core part they are consistent with the 28 nm Excavator design. The single-core scores, while not stellar, are not catastrophic; the R23 single-core result of 326 is roughly comparable to what older high-end desktop CPUs achieved around 2013–2014.

Power and Thermals

The A6-9400 carries a 65 W TDP, which is a mainstream power envelope for a desktop CPU. This is low enough that a standard air cooler—even a compact one—can handle the heat output. The 28 nm process node and the relatively low clocks (3.4–3.7 GHz) contribute to keeping thermal demands modest. Because the processor also includes integrated Radeon R5 graphics, the TDP covers both CPU and GPU cores. That means a system with no discrete graphics card will still stay within the 65 W power budget for the CPU package.

The lack of an unlocked multiplier (multiplierUnlocked: false) means overclocking is not an option, so the thermal solution does not need headroom for manual tuning. The 65 W TDP also suggests that this chip can be used in small-form-factor builds or office PCs where cooling is limited. In practice, the data indicates a user can pair it with a basic tower cooler or even a low-profile cooler without thermal throttling concerns. The absence of ECC memory support (eccMemory: false) further simplifies platform design, as standard non-ECC DDR4 is the intended memory type.

Who Should Consider It

The A6-9400 is not a gaming or content-creation powerhouse. Its benchmark scores—particularly the multicore figures—place it at the bottom quartile of CPU performance. For gaming, the integrated Radeon R5 graphics are present, but the CPU’s low single-thread and multi-thread scores will bottleneck modern titles. The data does not include any GPU-specific benchmarks, but the overall CPU performance suggests that only very light or older games would run acceptably, and even then at low settings and resolutions.

For office productivity, the A6-9400 is sufficient. Tasks like word processing, spreadsheet work, email, and web browsing rely heavily on single-core performance, and the R20 single-core score of 136 is adequate for these. The dual-core design will struggle with heavy multitasking or modern web pages with many active scripts, but for a single-user office workload it is functional. Similarly, as an HTPC or media player CPU, the A6-9400 can handle 1080p video playback and light streaming, though 4K video may cause stutter due to the weak CPU and older iGPU.

The most fitting use case is a basic home or office desktop where the priority is low cost and low power, not performance. The 65 W TDP and AM4 socket make it easy to drop into a budget motherboard. The integrated Radeon R5 eliminates the need for a discrete GPU, further reducing system cost and power draw. Users who need a simple web/email machine, a NAS with light transcoding, or a secondary PC for basic tasks will find the A6-9400 acceptable. It is not recommended for any workload that benefits from more than two threads, such as video encoding, 3D rendering, or software compilation—the R23 multicore score of 2309 is far below what modern quad-core parts achieve.

FAQ

Q: What socket does the AMD A6-9400 use?

A: It uses the AMD Socket AM4.

Q: Does it support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported (eccMemory: false).

Q: What type of memory is supported?

A: It supports DDR4 memory in dual-channel mode, with a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s.

Q: How many PCIe lanes does the CPU provide?

A: It provides 8 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only).

Q: Does it have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes Radeon R5 integrated graphics.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, the multiplier is locked (multiplierUnlocked: false).

How It Compares

AMD A10-5800B: The A6-9400 is 0.1% faster than the A10-5800B in average benchmark score. Both chips have nearly identical performance, so there is no meaningful difference in day-to-day tasks. The A10-5800B is a quad-core part, but its older architecture and lower clocks offset that advantage.

AMD A10-7850K: The A6-9400 is 0.3% slower than the A10-7850K. The A10-7850K also has a higher average score of 796, but the delta is negligible. Users moving from an A10-7850K to an A6-9400 would see no practical change in CPU throughput.

AMD Opteron 3350 HE: The A6-9400 is 0.6% faster than the Opteron 3350 HE. This server-oriented part has a lower average score of 789, but again the difference is under a percent. In single-threaded workloads, the A6-9400’s higher clock speed likely gives it an edge, though the overall scores are essentially tied.

Intel Xeon E5530: The A6-9400 is 0.8% slower than the Xeon E5530. The Xeon’s average score of 801 is the highest among the four rivals, but the gap is still trivial. The Xeon is an older server chip with more cores, but its low clock speed and older architecture bring its multicore performance in line with the dual-core A6-9400.

Platform and Compatibility

The A6-9400 is built for the AMD Socket AM4 platform, which is widely used across AMD’s desktop lineup. It supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with a peak bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The memory controller does not support ECC, so standard non-ECC DIMMs are required. The CPU provides 8 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, which is a limited number; a discrete graphics card would use all 8 lanes, leaving no additional PCIe lanes for other expansion cards. This makes the platform suitable for a simple single-GPU system, but not for multi-GPU or heavy expansion.

The processor includes integrated Radeon R5 graphics, so a discrete GPU is not mandatory for basic display output. The L1 cache is 160 KB, and the L2 cache is 1 MB (shared). There is no L3 cache (null). The die size is 250 mm², and the chip contains 3,100 million transistors, fabricated on a 28 nm process by GlobalFoundries. The production status is listed as Active, and the release date is March 15, 2019. The part number is AD9400AGABBOX. Because it uses the AM4 socket, it is compatible with a wide range of motherboards that support Bristol Ridge processors, though the limited PCIe lanes and dual-core performance restrict its usefulness to entry-level builds. The 65 W TDP ensures that even the most basic motherboard VRM designs can supply sufficient power without issue.