AMD A9-9420 vs Intel Core i7-720QM

VS
Performance
A9-9420
1,6324% of 36,991
Core i7-720QM141% better
3,93611% of 36,991

The Core i7-720QM has 141% better performance than the A9-9420 for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

Performance per dollar
A9-9420
No data available
Core i7-720QM
10.819% of 121.53

The Core i7-720QM has 9% of the performance per dollar compared to the leader for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark: Intel Core i5-13400F.

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Summary

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About the AMD A9-9420 CPU

The AMD A9-9420 is an end-of-life 2-core (2-thread) processor built for the mobile CPU market. It launched in Q2 2016. It is part of AMD's A9 lineup, which is based on the Stoney Ridge microarchitecture. The A9-9420 is compatible with AMD Socket FT4 motherboards and is fabricated on GlobalFoundries's 28 nm manufacturing process. It features the Radeon R5 3CU integrated graphics solution.

Memory and Cache

The A9-9420 supports DDR4 memory and features a single-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 1 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the A9-9420 has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 160 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 1 MB, is larger but slower than the L1.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The A9-9420 features 2 total cores which can process 2 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 3.0 GHz, and it can boost up to 3.6 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is locked, making it incapable of overclocking for pushing performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The A9-9420 includes an integrated graphics solution called Radeon R5 3CU. This graphics processor is directly integrated into the CPU and is not as powerful as a dedicated graphics card. While integrated graphics can handle basic tasks like web browsing and office applications, it is not suitable for more demanding activities such as gaming or video editing, where a dedicated graphics card offers superior performance.

Benchmark Performance

The A9-9420 has the 654th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 4.41% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D.

About the Intel Core i7-720QM CPU

The Intel Core i7-720QM is an end-of-life 4-core (8-thread) processor built for the mobile CPU market. It launched in Q3 2009 with a suggested retail price of $364. It is part of Intel's Core i7 lineup, which is based on the Clarksfield microarchitecture. The i7-720QM is compatible with Intel Socket G1 motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 45 nm manufacturing process.

Memory and Cache

The Core i7-720QM supports DDR3 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Core i7-720QM has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 64 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 256 KB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 6 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i7-720QM features 4 total cores which can process 8 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 1600.0 MHz, and it can boost up to 2.8 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is locked, making it incapable of overclocking for pushing performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Core i7-720QM does not include an integrated graphics solution. A dedicated graphics card will be required if you require a monitor with your computer.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Core i7-720QM has the 461st best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 10.64% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 3,936 score and $364 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 10.81. This is the 188th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

General Info

General overview of the CPU, including details like its manufacturer, release date, launch price, and current production status.

InfoA9-9420Core i7-720QM
ManufacturerAMDIntel
SeriesA9Core i7
Market SegmentMobileMobile
Release DateQ2 2016Q3 2009
Launch Price (MSRP)--$364
Production StatusEnd-of-lifeEnd-of-life
ShopCheck PriceCheck Price

Benchmark Performance

#
Performance
A9-9420
1,6324% of 36,991
Core i7-720QM141% better
3,93611% of 36,991

The Core i7-720QM has 141% better performance than the A9-9420 for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The A9-9420 is ranked 654th with a score of 1,632, and the Core i7-720QM is ranked 461st with a score of 3,936.

Performance per dollar
A9-9420
No data available
Core i7-720QM
10.819% of 121.53

The Core i7-720QM has 20% of the performance per dollar compared to the leader for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D.

Core i7-720QM's 10.81 performance per dollar ranks it 0th among the other benchmarked CPUs in our database.

Relative Performance

The average score in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative performance. Generally, powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

Choose Baseline CPU:A9-9420 or
CPUBenchmark Performance
Core i7-5500U4,008+146%
Core i7-820QM4,002+145%
Core i7-720QM3,936+141%
Core i5-5257U3,898+139%
Core i7-5650U3,800+133%
A4-50001,635+0%
Celeron N29401,635+0%
A9-94201,632
Pentium N35101,619-1%
Celeron 2955U1,604-2%

Relative Value For Money

The average performance per dollar in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative value. A higher score implies a better value for your money.

Choose Baseline CPU:A9-9420 orCore i7-720QM
CPUPerformance Per Dollar
Core i5-5200U11.98+11%
Core i7-740QM11.77+9%
Core i5-5250U11.39+5%
Core i5-5350U11.04+2%
Core i5-5300U10.92+1%
Core i7-720QM10.81
Core i5-L16G710.73-1%
Core i3-5010U10.68-1%
Core i7-5557U10.38-4%
Core i7-5500U10.2-6%

Benchmark Scores

This table showcases the average performance scores achieved by both CPUs across industry-standard benchmark tests. These scores provide a valuable insight into overall performance. Powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

  • Popular
BenchmarkA9-9420Core i7-720QM
3DMark 11 Performance Physics
1,632
3,936
(+141.18%)
Cinebench R15 Multi-Core
134
--
Cinebench R15 Single-Core
81
--
Geekbench 6.2 Multi-Core
--
843
Geekbench 6.2 Single-Core
--
302
CPU Mark Multi-Thread
1,497
1,657
(+10.69%)
CPU Mark Single-Thread
1,292
(+39.22%)
928
Benchmarks Source: Notebookcheck

Technical Specs

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Manufacturing Details

Information about the CPU's manufacturing like its foundry, process size, and transistor count.

SpecA9-9420Core i7-720QM
ManufacturerAMDIntel
FoundryGlobalFoundriesIntel
Process Size28 nm45 nm
Transistors1,200 million774 million

Architecture

CPU architecture specs like its memory channels, memory support, and microarchitecture. Newer CPU architectures can minimize bottlenecks and improve execution efficiency using more advanced techniques.

SpecA9-9420Core i7-720QM
SeriesA9Core i7
MicroarchitectureStoney RidgeClarksfield
CodenameStoney RidgeClarksfield
Memory SupportDDR4DDR3
Memory ChannelsSingle-channelDual-channel
ECC MemoryNoNo

Cores & Clock Speeds

Processing power information like its cores and clock speed. These specs impact how fast they can handle instructions and tasks. These have a strong impact on the CPU's performance.

SpecA9-9420Core i7-720QM
Cores24
Threads28
Clock Speed3.0 GHz1600.0 MHz
Turbo Clock3.6 GHz2.8 GHz
Base Clock100 MHz133 MHz
Multiplier30.0x12.0x
Multiplier UnlockedNoNo

Cache

CPU cache specs like its L1 & L2 cache. These provide the CPU with a small, but super-fast memory access. A larger cache can improve a CPU's performance.

SpecA9-9420Core i7-720QM
L1 Cache160 KB64 KB
L2 Cache1 MB256 KB
L3 Cache--6 MB

Compatibility & Power Consumption

Compatibility and power consumption information like its socket type, thermal design power, power limits. These can help verify the CPU's compatibility with other PC components.

SpecA9-9420Core i7-720QM
SocketAMD Socket FT4Intel Socket G1
PCI ExpressPCIe 3.0 x8PCIe 2.0 x16
Thermal Design Power (TDP)15 W45 W
TJ Max90 °C100 °C

Graphics, Features, & Extensions

Additional CPU features like its bundled coolers, integrated graphics, and extensions/technologies.

SpecA9-9420Core i7-720QM
Integrated GraphicsRadeon R5 3CU--
Extensions / TechnologiesMMX, 3DNow!, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSE4, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, SSE4A, AMD64, AES, AVX, AVX2, BMI1, BMI2, FMA3, FMA4, F16C, TBM, XOP, AMD-V, EVP, Turbo CoreMMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, EIST, Intel 64, HTT, VT-x, VT-d, NX bit, TXT, TBT 1.0

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* Performance rating, performance per dollar, and rankings are based on the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark and MSRP.