AMD A9-9400 SoC
AMD processor specifications and benchmark scores
Integrated GPUAt a Glance
AMDAMD A9-9400 SoC Specifications
A9-9400 SoC Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The AMD A9-9400 SoC 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.
A9-9400 SoC Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in A9-9400 SoC 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 A9-9400 SoC by AMD can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
AMD's A9-9400 SoC Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the A9-9400 SoC 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 A9-9400 SoC'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 A9-9400 SoC 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 A9-9400 SoC incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
Excavator Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The A9-9400 SoC 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.
A9-9400 SoC Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The AMD A9-9400 SoC has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 10W, 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 FT4 Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The A9-9400 SoC uses the AMD Socket FT4 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 FT4 Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the A9-9400 SoC 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 A9-9400 SoC 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 A9-9400 SoC Integrated Graphics
Built-in GPU specifications
The AMD A9-9400 SoC 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 A9-9400 SoC 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.
A9-9400 SoC Product Information
Release and pricing details
The AMD A9-9400 SoC 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 A9-9400 SoC by AMD offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within AMD's product lineup.
A9-9400 SoC Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this CPU.
About AMD A9-9400 SoC
The AMD A9-9400 SoC is a 2-core, 2-thread mobile processor built on the 28 nm Excavator architecture, codenamed Stoney Ridge. It operates with a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz, and it carries a 10 W TDP classification. This part is long since end-of-life, having launched in May 2016, and its benchmark data places it at the 50th percentile among all CPUs — a midpoint that hints at modest capability rather than any standout performance.
Benchmark Performance
The benchmark results for the AMD A9-9400 SoC are minimal — the fact pack lists an empty benchmarks array and an average benchmark score of 0. This absence of direct scoring data is itself informative: it suggests the processor was never a target for extensive standardized testing, likely due to its low-power mobile positioning. However, the 50th percentile ranking among all CPUs provides a useful anchor. A percentile of 50 means the A9-9400 sits exactly at the median of the CPU population — not a bottom-tier part, but firmly in the entry-level band. In practical terms, this implies the processor delivers enough compute for basic tasks but will struggle with anything demanding sustained multi-core throughput.
Because no nearest rivals are listed, direct percentage comparisons cannot be made. The data available shows no deltaPct values against any competitor. What can be inferred is that the 2-thread configuration severely limits parallel performance — most modern software expects at least 4 threads, so the A9-9400 will lag behind virtually any quad-core part. The absence of benchmark scores also means the 50th percentile may be skewed by the sheer volume of low-end mobile chips in the database, many of which share similar TDP and core counts. The boost clock of 3.20 GHz is respectable for a single-thread burst, but the lack of SMT (Simultaneous Multi-Threading) means each core handles exactly one thread, capping efficiency in lightly threaded workloads.
Power and Thermals
The TDP of 10 W is the defining characteristic of this SoC. This places the A9-9400 in the ultra-low-power class, typically found in fanless or passively cooled designs, thin-and-light laptops, or compact embedded systems. A 10 W TDP implies that a basic heatsink or even a small heat spreader is sufficient; no active cooling solution with a large fan or liquid loop would ever be necessary. The 28 nm process node, while old by current standards, is consistent with a part designed for minimal heat output. The die size of 125 mm² with 1,200 million transistors is relatively small, further contributing to low thermal density.
The thermal implications are straightforward: this processor will run cool under most loads, and even sustained boost at 3.20 GHz should remain within comfortable limits. The low TDP also means the system integrator can allocate more of the thermal budget to other components, such as a larger battery or a thinner chassis. However, the flip side is that 10 W constrains sustained performance — the processor cannot maintain high clocks indefinitely without exceeding its thermal envelope, so boost behavior will be bursty. For a user, this translates to snappy responses during short interactions (e.g., opening an app) but slower sustained throughput during long compiles or exports.
Who Should Consider It
Given the 2-core/2-thread design and 10 W TDP, the AMD A9-9400 is suitable only for entry-level mobile computing. For basic office work — word processing, spreadsheet navigation, email, and web browsing with a modest number of tabs — the processor provides adequate responsiveness, especially with the boost clock reaching 3.20 GHz for single-threaded tasks. The integrated Radeon R5 with 3 compute units handles 2D graphics and video playback without issue, so media consumption (streaming video, local playback) is within its comfort zone.
Gaming is not a realistic use case. The 2 threads and weak iGPU will struggle with any modern 3D title, even at low settings. Benchmark results indicate no capacity for sustained multi-core loads, so video editing, 3D rendering, or software compilation are out of the question. The absence of an L3 cache (null in the fact pack) further hampers performance in cache-sensitive workloads. The processor fits best in devices where battery life and low heat take priority over performance — think basic ultraportables, Chromebooks, or thin clients. The 50th percentile ranking suggests it is not the slowest chip ever made, but it is firmly in the "adequate for light use" category.
How It Compares
The fact pack lists no nearest rivals, so no direct comparative analysis against specific competitor models is possible. The data simply does not include any other processor names, scores, or delta percentages. This absence is unusual but notable: it implies that the A9-9400 occupies a niche so distinct (ultra-low-power, 2-thread, mobile) that the benchmark database has not associated it with any direct peer. In a broader sense, any modern dual-core with SMT (4 threads) would outperform it in multi-threaded tasks, but such comparisons are speculative without data. The only concrete anchor is the 50th percentile, which — in the absence of rivals — should be read as a warning: half of all CPUs in the database score better, and half score worse. This is a middle-of-the-road result that flatters the processor more than its specifications deserve, because many of the CPUs below it are likely older or even lower-power parts.
Platform and Compatibility
The AMD A9-9400 uses socket AMD Socket FT4, which is a BGA (ball-grid array) design, meaning the processor is soldered to the motherboard and cannot be upgraded or replaced by the user. The platform supports DDR4 memory, though the fact pack does not specify the memory bus width or bandwidth. The lack of ECC support further positions this as a consumer-grade part. PCIe connectivity is limited to Gen 3 with 8 lanes from the CPU — sufficient for a single NVMe SSD and perhaps a basic discrete GPU, though the 10 W TDP makes a discrete GPU pairing unlikely in practice. The multiplier is locked, so no overclocking is possible.
The upgrade path is effectively nonexistent. Since the processor is soldered and end-of-life, any system built around it is a dead end. The architecture (Excavator) and codename (Stoney Ridge) are from a generation that AMD has long since abandoned. The 28 nm process node and 1,200 million transistors are dated, and the 125 mm² die size is large by modern standards for such a low core count. For a user, this means the platform is fine for a cheap, disposable device, but there is no route to improving performance later — the entire motherboard and memory would need replacement, and even then, no socket FT4 successor exists.
FAQ
Q: What is the core and thread count of the AMD A9-9400?
A: It has 2 cores and 2 threads, with no SMT support.
Q: What is the boost clock speed?
A: The boost clock is 3.20 GHz, up from a base of 2.40 GHz.
Q: Does it support ECC memory?
A: No, ECC memory is not supported.
Q: What is the TDP?
A: The TDP is 10 W, placing it in the ultra-low-power segment.
Q: What integrated graphics does it include?
A: It includes a Radeon R5 with 3 compute units.
Q: What is the production status?
A: The processor is marked as end-of-life, with a release date of May 2016.
Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior
The AMD A9-9400 has a clear split between its single-thread and multi-thread capabilities. With 2 cores and 2 threads, the processor can execute exactly 2 concurrent threads — no more. This means any workload that scales beyond 2 threads will see a hard ceiling. The boost clock of 3.20 GHz applies to single-core scenarios, where the processor can briefly raise its clock to handle a burst of activity. For everyday tasks like launching an application, scrolling a web page, or typing in a document, this boost provides snappy behavior. The 50th percentile ranking likely reflects these short bursts of responsiveness, where the A9-9400 feels acceptable for basic interactions.
However, multi-threaded performance is severely constrained. With no SMT, each core is limited to one thread, and the 10 W TDP means sustained all-core loads will likely cause clocks to drop below the boost figure. The L2 cache is 1 MB shared between cores, which is modest for modern workloads. The absence of an L3 cache (null in the fact pack) means that any data not fitting in L2 must go to system memory, adding latency. For real-world use, this split means the processor is fine for a single demanding task (e.g., a browser with a few tabs) but degrades quickly when multiple applications run simultaneously. The data implies that users should expect either fast single-threaded interaction or slow multi-threaded throughput — not both. The 2-thread limit is the most significant bottleneck, and it makes the processor unsuitable for any modern productivity suite that runs background tasks (e.g., antivirus scans, cloud sync) while the user works.
The Intel Equivalent of A9-9400 SoC
Looking for a similar processor from Intel? The Intel Core i5-6350HQ offers comparable performance and features in the Intel lineup.
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