Core 2 Duo SL9400 vs Pentium G3430

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 SL9400 vs Pentium G3430 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 SL9400 vs Pentium G3430: 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 SL9400

2008

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 6W instead of 54W, a 48W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.5 vs 18.3 PassMark/$ ($284 MSRP vs $116 MSRP).

Pentium G3430

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $168 less on MSRP ($116 MSRP vs $284 MSRP).
✅Delivers 142.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 18.3 vs 7.5 PassMark/$ ($116 MSRP vs $284 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,127 vs 2,144).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).
❌800% higher power demand at 54W vs 6W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G3430 better than Core 2 Duo SL9400?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium G3430 is ahead with a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo SL9400 pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Core 2 Duo SL9400 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo SL9400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Pentium G3430 is the better buy right now. Pentium G3430 comes in $168 cheaper on MSRP at $116 MSRP versus $284 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core 2 Duo SL9400 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.8% better PassMark. It is also 142.9% better value on MSRP (18.3 vs 7.5 PassMark/$), 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 G3430 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2008). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core 2 Duo SL9400 vs Pentium G3430 Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Duo SL9400

The Core 2 Duo SL9400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 August 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.86 GHz, with boost up to 1.86 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,144 points. Launch price was $284.

Pentium G3430

The Pentium G3430 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 53 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,127 points. Launch price was $116.

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Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo SL9400 and Pentium G3430 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.86 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SL9400 versus 3.3 GHz on the Pentium G3430 — a 55.8% clock advantage for the Pentium G3430 (base: 1.86 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core 2 Duo SL9400 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium G3430 uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SL9400 scores 2,144 against the Pentium G3430's 2,127 — a 0.8% lead for the Core 2 Duo SL9400. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SL9400 vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G3430.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SL9400	Pentium G3430
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.86 GHz	3.3 GHz+77%
Base Clock	1.86 GHz	3.3 GHz+77%
L3 Cache	6 MB L2 Cache+100%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	6 MB+2300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,144	2,127

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo SL9400 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium G3430 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SL9400	Pentium G3430
Socket	BGA956	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Duo SL9400) / not specified (Pentium G3430). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo SL9400 targets Mobile.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SL9400	Pentium G3430
Integrated GPU	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Mobile	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 2 Duo SL9400 was priced at $284, while the Pentium G3430 came in at $116. On launch pricing ($284 vs $116), Pentium G3430 was $168 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo SL9400 delivers 7.5 pts/$ vs 18.3 pts/$ for the Pentium G3430 — making the Pentium G3430 the 83.3% better value option.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SL9400	Pentium G3430
MSRP	$284	$116-59%
Performance per Dollar	7.5	18.3+144%
Release Date	2008	2013

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