Core i3-2100 vs Pentium Gold 4425Y

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 i3-2100 vs Pentium Gold 4425Y 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 i3-2100 vs Pentium Gold 4425Y: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-2100

2011

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $117 MSRP, while Pentium Gold 4425Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Pentium Gold 4425Y

2017

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,854 vs 1,856).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-2100 better than Pentium Gold 4425Y?

Yes. Core i3-2100 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-2100 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.3% 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, Core i3-2100 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Core i3-2100 is the better buy right now. Core i3-2100 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $117 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (15.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 Gold 4425Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-2100 vs Pentium Gold 4425Y Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-2100

The Core i3-2100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 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: 1,856 points. Launch price was $73.

Pentium Gold 4425Y

The Pentium Gold 4425Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 1.7 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,854 points. Launch price was $161.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-2100 and Pentium Gold 4425Y share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i3-2100 versus 1.7 GHz on the Pentium Gold 4425Y — a 58.3% clock advantage for the Core i3-2100 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Core i3-2100 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium Gold 4425Y uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2100 scores 1,856 against the Pentium Gold 4425Y's 1,854 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i3-2100. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2100 vs 2 MB on the Pentium Gold 4425Y.

Feature	Core i3-2100	Pentium Gold 4425Y
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz+82%	1.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+82%	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)+50%	2 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	1,856	1,854

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-2100 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Gold 4425Y uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.