Core 2 Quad Q8300 vs Pentium G3420T
Core 2 Quad Q8300
Pentium G3420T
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core 2 Quad Q8300 is positioned at rank 985 and the Pentium G3420T is on rank 680, so the Pentium G3420T offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Quad Q8300
Performance Per Dollar Pentium G3420T
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Quad Q8300 | Pentium G3420T |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($10) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($40) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Quad Q8300 | Pentium G3420T |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+301%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($10) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($40) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Quad Q8300 and Pentium G3420T
Core 2 Quad Q8300
The Core 2 Quad Q8300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,917 points. Launch price was $249.
Pentium G3420T
The Pentium G3420T 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 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,912 points. Launch price was $75.
Processing Power
The Core 2 Quad Q8300 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium G3420T offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Core 2 Quad Q8300 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q8300 versus 2.7 GHz on the Pentium G3420T — a 7.7% clock advantage for the Pentium G3420T (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core 2 Quad Q8300 uses the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium G3420T uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Quad Q8300 scores 1,917 against the Pentium G3420T's 1,912 — a 0.3% lead for the Core 2 Quad Q8300. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Quad Q8300 vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G3420T.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q8300 | Pentium G3420T |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.5 GHz | 2.7 GHz+8% |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 2.7 GHz+8% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB (total)+1500% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 22 nm-51% |
| Architecture | Yorkfield (2007−2009) | Haswell (2013−2015) |
| PassMark | 1,917 | 1,912 |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Quad Q8300 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium G3420T uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q8300 | Pentium G3420T |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | LGA1150 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 3.0+173% |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Quad Q8300) / VT-x, VT-d (Pentium G3420T). The Pentium G3420T includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Core 2 Quad Q8300 requires a dedicated GPU.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q8300 | Pentium G3420T |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d |
Value Analysis
The Core 2 Quad Q8300 launched at $179 MSRP, while the Pentium G3420T debuted at $75. At current prices ($10 vs $40), the Core 2 Quad Q8300 is $30 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Quad Q8300 delivers 191.7 pts/$ vs 47.8 pts/$ for the Pentium G3420T — making the Core 2 Quad Q8300 the 120.2% better value option.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q8300 | Pentium G3420T |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $179 | $75-58% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $10-75% | $40 |
| Performance per Dollar | 191.7+301% | 47.8 |
| Release Date | 2008 | 2013 |
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