AMD A9-9425 SoC
AMD A9-9425 SoC: Budget Processor for Basic Tasks in 2025
April 2025
Despite the rapid development of technology, the market for budget laptops continues to offer solutions for those who do not need high performance. One such option is the AMD A9-9425 SoC, released back in 2019, but still appearing in new entry-level devices. Let's explore who this chip will suit in 2025 and what compromises will need to be made.
Architecture and Process Technology: An Outdated Foundation, Yet a Workhorse
The AMD A9-9425 belongs to the Stoney Ridge family and is built on a 28-nanometer process technology. This is already an archaic standard for 2025, where even budget chips from Intel and AMD have transitioned to 10–7 nm. However, for its intended tasks, the processor remains functional.
CPU and iGPU Specifications
- Cores and Threads: 2 cores, 2 threads (no support for SMT/Hyper-Threading).
- Clock Speeds: Base — 3.1 GHz, Turbo mode — up to 3.7 GHz.
- Integrated Graphics: Radeon R5 with 3 compute units (192 stream processors) and a frequency of 800 MHz.
The Excavator architecture on which the A9-9425 is based lags behind the modern Zen 2/3/4 in power efficiency and IPC (instructions per clock). This means that even at similar clock speeds, the chip falls short of new models in data processing speed.
The Radeon R5 graphics support DirectX 12 and resolutions up to 4K, but for gaming, its capabilities are only sufficient for titles like Minecraft or Dota 2 at low settings (720p, 25–30 FPS).
Power Consumption and TDP: Modest Appetite
The processor's TDP is 15 W, allowing it to be used in thin laptops with passive or simple active cooling. However, the 28-nm process leads to higher power consumption under load compared to modern counterparts on 7–10 nm (for instance, Intel Celeron N5100 or AMD Athlon Silver 7120U).
Practical Example:
When running Chrome with 10 tabs, the processor consumes about 8–10 W, and in idle mode — 3–5 W. These are modest figures, but in 2025, even budget Intel Alder Lake-N chips (7 W TDP) demonstrate better efficiency.
Performance: Only for Basic Tasks
Office Tasks
- Microsoft Office, Google Docs: The processor can handle word processors, spreadsheets, and presentations. However, launching multiple applications simultaneously (e.g., Word + browser + messenger) may lead to stuttering.
- Multitasking: With 2 cores and the lack of multithreading, the scenarios are limited. Opening 15 tabs in Chrome along with a background file download will create noticeable strain.
Multimedia
- Video: Playback of 1080p and 4K videos (with hardware acceleration) goes smoothly. However, video rendering or working in DaVinci Resolve is not feasible.
- Audio: Streaming music and podcasts — no complaints.
Gaming
- Light Games: CS:GO on low settings (720p, 30 FPS), Stardew Valley — 60 FPS.
- Turbo Mode: Activating Turbo Core (up to 3.7 GHz) increases performance in single-threaded tasks by 10–15%, but this leads to temperatures rising to 75–80°C. In laptops with poor cooling, throttling is inevitable.
Usage Scenarios: Who is the A9-9425 For?
1. Students: Working with study materials, online courses, Zoom conferences.
2. Office Workers: Documents, email, corporate messengers.
3. Users for Everyday Tasks: Internet browsing, YouTube, social networks.
Not Suitable For:
- Video/photo editing.
- Modern gaming (even Fortnite on minimal settings will lag).
- Virtualization and programming on heavy IDEs (e.g., Android Studio).
Battery Life: Modest Performance in 2025
Laptops with the A9-9425 usually come equipped with batteries rated at 35–40 Wh, providing 4–6 hours of operation under moderate load. Modern processors in the same price segment (e.g., Intel N100) ensure 7–9 hours thanks to a finer process technology.
Power-saving Technologies:
- AMD PowerNow!: Dynamic frequency and voltage adjustment.
- Sleep Modes: Support for modern S0ix (Modern Standby) standards.
Tip: To extend battery life, disable Turbo Core in the system settings — this will reduce heat and consumption.
Comparison with Competitors: Who Is Better in 2025?
1. AMD Athlon Silver 7120U (Zen 2, 6 nm, 2 cores/4 threads): 30% faster in multitasking with similar TDP. Laptops with it start at $350.
2. Intel Celeron N5100 (10 nm, 4 cores): Handles multithreaded tasks better; Intel UHD graphics are on par with Radeon R5.
3. Apple M1 (5 nm, 8 cores): Night and day. Even used MacBook Air M1 (2020) outclass the A9-9425 in everything, but start at $500.
Conclusion: The A9-9425 is relevant only in devices priced under $300. In other cases, it’s better to pay more for modern chips.
Pros and Cons
Strengths:
- Low price of laptops (starting from $250).
- Sufficient for basic tasks.
- Support for modern interfaces: USB 3.1, HDMI 2.0.
Weaknesses:
- Outdated 28-nm process technology.
- Only 2 cores with no multithreading.
- Weak graphics even for less demanding games.
Notebook Selection Recommendations
1. Device Type: Ultrabooks and netbooks with a screen size of 11–14 inches. Examples of models from 2025:
- HP 14-dk1000 ($270): 4 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD, 1366×768 display.
- Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15ADA7 ($300): 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, Full HD.
2. What to Look For:
- RAM: Minimum 8 GB. 4 GB in 2025 is a struggle even for Windows 11.
- Storage: Only SSD. HDD will slow down the system.
- Display: Full HD (1920×1080) — lower resolution will worsen the experience.
3. What to Avoid:
- Laptops with HDD and 4 GB RAM.
- Gaming models with this processor — it's a marketing gimmick.
Final Conclusion: Who Is the A9-9425 Suitable For?
This processor is for those who:
- Are looking for the cheapest new laptop (up to $300).
- Do not plan to run heavy applications.
- Are willing to deal with limited battery life and slow performance in multitasking.
Key Benefits:
- Price: Cheaper than most alternatives.
- Simplicity: Does not require advanced setup skills.
- Adequate performance for elementary tasks.
If your budget allows you to spend $350–400, consider laptops with AMD Athlon Silver or next-gen Intel Core i3 — the difference in speed and comfort will be enormous. But if funds are tight, the A9-9425 can still serve as a "workhorse" for study or browsing.