Core 2 Duo E6420 vs Pentium G620

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core 2 Duo E6420 vs Pentium G620 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core 2 Duo E6420 vs Pentium G620: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core 2 Duo E6420

2007

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Pentium G620.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,235 vs 1,238).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.7 vs 19.3 PassMark/$ ($183 MSRP vs $64 MSRP).

Pentium G620

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $119 less on MSRP ($64 MSRP vs $183 MSRP).
✅Delivers 186.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 19.3 vs 6.7 PassMark/$ ($64 MSRP vs $183 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core 2 Duo E6420.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G620 better than Core 2 Duo E6420?

Yes. Pentium G620 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.2% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium G620 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.7% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G620 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Pentium G620 is the better buy right now. Pentium G620 comes in $119 cheaper on MSRP at $64 MSRP versus $183 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 186.6% better value on MSRP (19.3 vs 6.7 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Pentium G620 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2007) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core 2 Duo E6420 vs Pentium G620 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core 2 Duo E6420

The Core 2 Duo E6420 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Conroe (2006−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 2.13 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,235 points. Launch price was $249.

Pentium G620

The Pentium G620 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 22 May 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,238 points. Launch price was $60.

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Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo E6420 and Pentium G620 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.13 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E6420 versus 2.6 GHz on the Pentium G620 — a 19.9% clock advantage for the Pentium G620 (base: 2.13 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E6420 uses the Conroe (2006−2007) architecture (65 nm), while the Pentium G620 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E6420 scores 1,235 against the Pentium G620's 1,238 — a 0.2% lead for the Pentium G620. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo E6420 vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G620.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E6420	Pentium G620
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.13 GHz	2.6 GHz+22%
Base Clock	2.13 GHz	2.6 GHz+22%
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4 MB+1500%	256 kB (per core)
Process	65 nm	32 nm-51%
Architecture	Conroe (2006−2007)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,235	1,238

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo E6420 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium G620 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E6420	Pentium G620
Socket	LGA775	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	16	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core 2 Duo E6420) / not specified (Pentium G620). Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E6420 rivals Athlon 64 X2 5400+.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E6420	Pentium G620
Integrated GPU	No	—
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 2 Duo E6420 was priced at $183, while the Pentium G620 came in at $64. On launch pricing ($183 vs $64), Pentium G620 was $119 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo E6420 delivers 6.7 pts/$ vs 19.3 pts/$ for the Pentium G620 — making the Pentium G620 the 96.5% better value option.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E6420	Pentium G620
MSRP	$183	$64-65%
Performance per Dollar	6.7	19.3+188%
Release Date	2007	2011

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