AMD A6-9500
AMD processor specifications and benchmark scores
Integrated GPUAt a Glance
AMDAMD A6-9500 Specifications
A6-9500 Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The AMD A6-9500 features 2 physical cores and 2 threads, which directly impacts multi-threaded performance in CPU benchmarks. More cores allow the processor to handle parallel workloads efficiently, improving performance in video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking scenarios. Thread count determines how many simultaneous tasks the CPU can process, with higher thread counts benefiting productivity applications and content creation workflows.
A6-9500 Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in A6-9500 benchmark performance, measured in GHz. The base clock represents the guaranteed operating frequency, while the boost clock indicates maximum single-core performance under optimal conditions. Higher clock speeds translate to faster single-threaded performance, which is essential for gaming and applications that don't fully utilize multiple cores. The A6-9500 by AMD can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
AMD's A6-9500 Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the A6-9500 processor die. L1 cache provides the fastest access for frequently used data, while L2 and L3 caches offer progressively larger storage with slightly higher latency. Larger cache sizes significantly improve CPU benchmark scores by reducing memory access times. The A6-9500's cache configuration is optimized for both gaming performance and productivity workloads, minimizing data fetch delays during intensive computations.
Excavator Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The AMD A6-9500 is built on AMD's 28 nm manufacturing process, which determines power efficiency and thermal characteristics. Smaller process nodes allow for more transistors in the same space, enabling higher performance per watt. The architecture defines how the processor handles instructions and manages data flow, directly impacting benchmark results across different workload types. Modern CPU architectures like the one in A6-9500 incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
Excavator Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The A6-9500 by AMD supports various instruction set extensions that enable optimized performance for specific workloads. SIMD instructions like SSE and AVX accelerate multimedia, scientific computing, and AI workloads by processing multiple data points simultaneously. Features like AES-NI provide hardware-accelerated encryption, while AVX-512 (if supported) enables advanced vector processing for data centers and high-performance computing. These instruction sets are critical for software compatibility and performance in modern applications.
Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The AMD A6-9500 has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 65W, indicating the cooling solution required for sustained operation. TDP affects both system power consumption and the type of cooler needed. Lower TDP processors are ideal for compact builds and laptops, while higher TDP chips typically offer better sustained performance in demanding CPU benchmarks. Understanding power requirements helps ensure your system can deliver consistent performance without thermal throttling.
AMD Socket AM4 Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The A6-9500 uses the AMD Socket AM4 socket, which determines motherboard compatibility. Choosing the right platform is essential for building a system around this processor. The socket type also influences available features like PCIe lanes, memory support, and upgrade paths. When comparing CPU benchmarks, ensure you're looking at processors compatible with your existing or planned motherboard to make informed purchasing decisions.
AMD Socket AM4 Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the A6-9500 define which RAM types and speeds are compatible. Faster memory can significantly improve CPU benchmark performance, especially in memory-intensive applications and gaming. The memory controller integrated into the A6-9500 determines maximum supported speeds and channels. Dual-channel or quad-channel memory configurations can double or quadruple memory bandwidth, providing noticeable performance gains in content creation and scientific workloads.
AMD's A6-9500 Integrated Graphics
Built-in GPU specifications
The AMD A6-9500 includes integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a dedicated GPU in basic computing scenarios. Integrated graphics are ideal for office productivity, video playback, and light gaming. While not designed for demanding GPU benchmarks, the iGPU in the A6-9500 provides hardware video encoding and decoding capabilities. This makes the processor suitable for compact builds, HTPCs, and systems where power efficiency is prioritized over gaming performance.
Product Information
Release and pricing details
The AMD A6-9500 is manufactured by AMD and represents their commitment to delivering competitive CPU performance. Understanding the release date and pricing helps contextualize benchmark comparisons with other processors from the same generation. Launch pricing provides a baseline for evaluating value, though street prices often differ. Whether you're building a new system or upgrading, the A6-9500 by AMD offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within AMD's product lineup.
About AMD A6-9500
The AMD A6-9500 is a dual-core desktop processor based on the Excavator architecture, manufactured on a 28 nm process by GlobalFoundries. It operates at a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, with a TDP of 65 W. The CPU includes 2 cores and 2 threads, 160 KB of L1 cache and 1 MB of shared L2 cache, with no L3 cache. It is designed for the AMD Socket AM4 platform and supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The integrated Radeon R5 graphics provide display output without a discrete GPU. Released on September 4, 2016, the A6-9500 remains in active production.
Benchmark Performance
The A6-9500’s average benchmark score is 549, placing it at the 11th percentile of all CPUs in the database. This means that most other processors achieve higher average scores. The nearest rivals are extremely close: the AMD PRO A6-8550B and the Intel Core i5-2515E each have an average score of 550, which is 0.2% higher than the A6-9500. The AMD Athlon II X3 450 and Intel Core M-5Y70 both score 547, putting them 0.3% lower. These deltas are within measurement noise, so the A6-9500 is effectively tied with all four of these processors in aggregate performance.
In individual Cinebench tests, the A6-9500 scores 160 in R15 multi-core, 669 in R20 multi-core, and 1595 in R23 multi-core. Single-core scores are 94 in R20 and 225 in R23. These numbers confirm the low overall standing. The R23 multi-core score of 1595 is typical for a dual-core part with no SMT, but the single-core score of 225 is particularly weak, as will be discussed later.
Who Should Consider It
Given the 11th percentile placement and the R23 multi-core score of 1595, the A6-9500 is not intended for demanding multi-threaded workloads such as video rendering, 3D modeling, or software compilation. The dual-core, dual-thread configuration limits parallel throughput, and the low single-core scores further restrict performance in lightly threaded tasks.
The processor is more appropriate for basic office productivity, web browsing, and document editing. Its single-core R23 score of 225 is sufficient for these tasks, which typically rely on one or two threads. The integrated Radeon R5 graphics eliminate the need for a separate GPU in simple desktop setups, making the A6-9500 a candidate for entry-level home or office PCs where gaming and heavy multimedia work are not priorities. The 38.4 GB/s memory bandwidth is adequate for standard DDR4 modules, though the CPU itself will not benefit from higher-speed kits.
Power and Thermals
The 65 W TDP places the A6-9500 in a low-power segment. This allows for a simple air cooler, such as a stock cooler or a basic aftermarket tower. The 28 nm process and 3,100 million transistors on a 250 mm² die mean the chip is relatively large for its performance level, but the thermal output remains within the 65 W envelope. No overclocking headroom is available because the multiplier is locked, so the power draw will stay close to the rated TDP under sustained load.
Platform and Compatibility
The A6-9500 uses the AMD Socket AM4, which is a modern platform that supports DDR4 memory. The memory controller is dual-channel, providing 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth. ECC memory is not supported. The CPU provides 8 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, which is a limited allocation for a discrete GPU, but sufficient for basic expansion. The integrated Radeon R5 graphics handle display output directly from the motherboard’s video outputs. The processor has no L3 cache, relying on 1 MB of shared L2 cache, which contributes to its low memory latency tolerance. The part number is AD9500AGM23AB.
FAQ
Q: How many cores and threads does the AMD A6-9500 have?
A: It has 2 cores and 2 threads.
Q: What is the TDP of the A6-9500?
A: The TDP is 65 watts.
Q: Does the A6-9500 support ECC memory?
A: No, ECC memory is not supported.
Q: What is the boost clock speed?
A: The boost clock is 3.80 GHz, with a base clock of 3.50 GHz.
Q: What integrated graphics does it include?
A: It includes Radeon R5 integrated graphics.
Q: What memory type does it support?
A: It supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s.
Q: Is the multiplier unlocked for overclocking?
A: No, the multiplier is locked.
Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior
The Cinebench R23 results show a striking imbalance: the multi-core score of 1595 is much higher than the single-core score of 225. Similarly, in R20, the multi-core score of 669 far exceeds the single-core score of 94. This disparity is larger than the theoretical scaling expected from a dual-core processor, indicating that the single-core performance is disproportionately low. In practice, this means that the A6-9500 will feel sluggish in applications that are not heavily threaded, such as spreadsheets, web browsers with many tabs, or older games. Conversely, workloads that can utilize both cores, such as batch image processing or light video playback, will see better relative performance, though the absolute scores remain low.
The single-core R20 score of 94 is among the lowest in the database, reinforcing the 11th percentile overall standing. For users whose primary tasks are single-threaded, the A6-9500 will be a limiting factor. For multi-threaded tasks, the dual-core design still restricts performance, but the scaling from single to multi is consistent, suggesting that the scheduler and memory subsystem are not adding additional bottlenecks. Overall, the A6-9500 is a processor where single-thread performance is the dominant weakness, and any workload that depends on a single core will be hampered.
Detailed benchmark scores and charts for the AMD A6-9500 are below.
Benchmark Scores
cinebench_cinebench_r15_multicoreSource
Cinebench R15 multi-core renders a complex 3D scene using all CPU threads simultaneously. This test reveals how AMD A6-9500 performs in parallel rendering workloads like video production and 3D animation. The R15 version remains useful for comparing against older hardware benchmarks. Higher scores directly correlate with faster render times in Cinema 4D and similar 3D applications.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
Nearby Performerscinebench_cinebench_r20_multicoreSource
Cinebench R20 multi-core uses a scene requiring 4x more computational power than R15. This test better reflects modern CPU capabilities for professional rendering on AMD A6-9500. The more demanding workload provides better differentiation between current-generation processors.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r20_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R20 single-core tests one thread against a more demanding scene than R15. This reveals the true single-thread rendering capability of AMD A6-9500. The increased complexity provides more accurate performance differentiation between modern CPUs.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicoreSource
Cinebench R23 multi-core is the current standard for CPU rendering benchmarks with a 10-minute minimum runtime. This extended test reveals sustained performance of AMD A6-9500 after thermal limits kick in. The longer duration exposes cooling limitations that shorter benchmarks miss.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R23 single-core measures sustained single-thread performance over 10 minutes. This reveals how AMD A6-9500 maintains boost clocks under continuous load. The extended runtime shows whether thermal throttling affects single-core performance.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
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