Core i3-1115G4 vs Pentium Gold 8500

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 i3-1115G4 vs Pentium Gold 8500 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 i3-1115G4 vs Pentium Gold 8500: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-1115G4

2020

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 29W, a 14W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (4 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics for 11th Gen (48 EU), while Pentium Gold 8500 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium Gold 8500 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,860 vs 5,949).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1449 with DDR4, while Pentium Gold 8500 moves to FCBGA1781 and DDR5.

Pentium Gold 8500

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1781 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1449 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌93.3% higher power demand at 29W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-1115G4 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium Gold 8500 better than Core i3-1115G4?

Yes. Pentium Gold 8500 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 13.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.5% 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 Gold 8500 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 13.7% 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 Gold 8500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 5 cores and 6 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Pentium Gold 8500 still makes the most sense overall. Pentium Gold 8500 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Pentium Gold 8500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020), a healthier platform with FCBGA1781 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1449, 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 5 cores / 6 threads instead of 2/4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-1115G4 vs Pentium Gold 8500 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-1115G4

The Core i3-1115G4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1449. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,860 points. Launch price was $281.

Pentium Gold 8500

The Pentium Gold 8500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 5 cores and 6 threads. Max frequency: 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1781. Thermal design power (TDP): 29 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR5-5200, LPDDR4x-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 5,949 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-1115G4 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium Gold 8500 offers 5 cores / 6 threads — the Pentium Gold 8500 has 3 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i3-1115G4 versus 4.4 GHz on the Pentium Gold 8500 — a 7.1% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold 8500. The Core i3-1115G4 is built on the Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i3-1115G4 scores 5,860 against the Pentium Gold 8500's 5,949 — a 1.5% lead for the Pentium Gold 8500. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-1115G4 vs 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Pentium Gold 8500.

Feature	Core i3-1115G4	Pentium Gold 8500
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	5 / 6+150%
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz	4.4 GHz+7%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	—
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache+33%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	—
Process	10 nm SuperFin	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021)	—
PassMark	5,860	5,949+2%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,579	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-1115G4 uses the FCBGA1449 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Pentium Gold 8500 uses FCBGA1781 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-1115G4	Pentium Gold 8500
Socket	FCBGA1449	FCBGA1781
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	4	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-1115G4) / not specified (Pentium Gold 8500). The Core i3-1115G4 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics for 11th Gen (48 EU)), while the Pentium Gold 8500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-1115G4 targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-1115G4 rivals Ryzen 3 5300U.

Feature	Core i3-1115G4	Pentium Gold 8500
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics for 11th Gen (48 EU)	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	Yes	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Mainstream Laptop	—