AMD A9-9400 SoC
AMD A9-9400 SoC: A Budget Processor for Undemanding Tasks in 2025
Introduction
In 2025, the laptop market is flooded with powerful processors built on 5 nm and 3 nm processes, but even now, there are niches for outdated yet affordable solutions. The AMD A9-9400 SoC, released back in 2016, continues to thrive in budget devices. Let's explore who might find it useful today and what compromises one would have to accept.
1. Architecture and Process Technology: Modest Specifications
Key Parameters:
- Cores and Threads: 2 cores, 2 threads (without Hyper-Threading or SMT support).
- Clock Speeds: Base frequency — 2.4 GHz, maximum turbo frequency — 3.2 GHz.
- Process Technology: 28 nm (for comparison: modern AMD and Intel chips use 5–7 nm).
- Integrated Graphics: Radeon R5 with 3 GCN cores (384 stream processors) and a frequency of up to 800 MHz.
Architecture Features:
The processor is built on the Excavator microarchitecture, which has long been replaced by AMD's Zen chips. This is reflected in its low IPC (instructions per clock) and limited multithreading performance. The integrated Radeon R5 graphics support DirectX 12 but are not optimized for modern APIs like Vulkan.
Practical Example:
In 2025, the A9-9400 manages basic tasks:
- Watching videos in 1080p (but not 4K).
- Running a browser with 5–7 tabs open.
- Launching office applications (Word, Excel).
2. Power Consumption and TDP: Compactness at the Expense of Power
TDP 10 W allows the processor to be used in ultra-thin laptops and devices without active cooling. However, the outdated 28-nm process leads to inefficient energy consumption. For example, under peak load, the chip consumes up to 15 W, which reduces battery life.
Heat Dissipation:
Even with a TDP of 10 W, a heavily loaded A9-9400 can heat up to 70–75°C, but due to simple tasks like web browsing, the temperature rarely exceeds 50°C.
3. Performance: Realistic Expectations
Office Work:
- PCMark 10 Score: ~1500 points (for comparison: Ryzen 3 7300U — 4500 points).
- Excel with Large Spreadsheets: Possible lag with complex formulas.
Multimedia:
- YouTube 1080p@60FPS: Plays without issues.
- 4K Video: Stutters even with hardware decoding (the chip does not support VP9 and AV1).
Gaming:
- CS:GO (1280x720, low settings): 25–35 FPS.
- Fortnite (720p, minimum settings): 15–20 FPS.
- Indie Games (Hollow Knight, Stardew Valley): 40–60 FPS.
Turbo Mode:
Under load on a single core, the frequency boosts to 3.2 GHz, but due to TDP limitations, this lasts no more than 10–15 seconds.
4. Use Cases: Who Is the A9-9400 For?
- Students: For working with texts, presentations, and online courses.
- Seniors: Basic internet browsing, chatting in messengers.
- Backup Laptop: For trips where high performance is not required.
Not Suitable For:
- Photo/video editors.
- Gamers (except for retro games).
- Programmers working with code compilation.
5. Battery Life: Up to 6 Hours Under Ideal Conditions
Processor Influence:
With moderate use (50% brightness, Wi-Fi, browsing), a laptop with the A9-9400 and a 40 Wh battery lasts 5–6 hours. For comparison, modern processors with similar TDP (e.g., Intel Core i3-N305) offer 8–10 hours.
Energy-Saving Technologies:
- AMD Cool’n’Quiet: Reduces frequency during idle.
- Windows Power Saving Mode: Limits background processes.
Tip: Disable Turbo Core in the BIOS settings — this can add 1–1.5 hours of battery life.
6. Comparison with Competitors
AMD:
- Athlon Silver 3050e (2020): 2 cores/2 threads, 6 W TDP, 14 nm process. Performance is 20% higher.
- Ryzen 3 7320U (2023): 4 cores/8 threads, 6 nm process. 3–4 times more powerful.
Intel:
- Celeron N5100 (2021): 4 cores, 10 W TDP. Better in multithreaded tasks.
- Core i3-N305 (2023): 8 cores, 15 W TDP. 4 times faster in CPU tests.
Apple:
- Apple M1 (2020): Does not compete directly due to the price difference, but outperforms the A9-9400 by 8–10 times.
Conclusion: The A9-9400 falls behind even budget processors from 2023–2024.
7. Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Low price for laptops ($200–300).
- Sufficient performance for basic tasks.
- Passive cooling in some models (total silence).
Cons:
- Outdated architecture.
- No support for modern codecs (AV1, VP9).
- Limited upgrade potential: maximum 8 GB RAM and SATA SSD.
8. Recommendations for Choosing a Laptop
Types of Devices:
- Ultrabooks: For example, HP Stream 14 or Lenovo IdeaPad 1.
- Nettops: For stationary use (ASUS VivoMini).
Things to Pay Attention To:
- RAM: Minimum 8 GB (but many models come with 4 GB — it's better to avoid those).
- Storage: Only SSD (even a 128 GB SATA is preferable to HDD).
- Display: IPS matrix with a resolution of 1920x1080. Cheap TN displays spoil the experience.
- Ports: USB-C with charging support is rare, but HDMI and USB-A are a must.
Example Laptop from 2025:
- Acer Aspire 3 (A9-9400, 8 GB, 256 GB SSD): $279.
9. Final Conclusion: Who Is the A9-9400 For?
This processor is suitable for those who:
- Are looking for the cheapest new laptop.
- Do not plan to run "heavy" applications.
- Value silence (in fanless models).
Key Benefits:
- Price under $300.
- Adequate for basic use in 2025.
- Compactness and lightness of devices.
Alternative: If the budget allows for an additional $100–150, it's better to opt for a laptop with Intel N-series or AMD Ryzen 3 7320U — they will last longer and not disappoint in performance.
Conclusion
The AMD A9-9400 SoC in 2025 is an example of a "workhorse" for undemanding users. It won’t impress with speed, but it will get the job done within a modest budget. However, if you plan to use the laptop for more than 2–3 years, it’s worth considering more modern options.