Core i3-2105 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 i3-2105 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 i3-2105 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 i3-2105

2011

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 3000, while Pentium Gold 4425Y needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,837 vs 1,854).
❌Launch MSRP is still $138 MSRP, while Pentium Gold 4425Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Pentium Gold 4425Y

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-2105 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-2105 better than Pentium Gold 4425Y?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-2105 is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Gold 4425Y pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark. Core i3-2105 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Gold 4425Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-2105 is the better buy right now. Core i3-2105 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $138 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Pentium Gold 4425Y is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.9% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (13.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-2105 vs Pentium Gold 4425Y Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-2105

The Core i3-2105 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 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: 1,837 points. Launch price was $145.

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 i3-2105 and Pentium Gold 4425Y share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i3-2105 versus 1.7 GHz on the Pentium Gold 4425Y — a 58.3% clock advantage for the Core i3-2105 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Core i3-2105 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 i3-2105 scores 1,837 against the Pentium Gold 4425Y's 1,854 — a 0.9% lead for the Pentium Gold 4425Y. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2105 vs 2 MB on the Pentium Gold 4425Y.

Feature	Core i3-2105	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	1,837	1,854

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-2105 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Gold 4425Y uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-2105	Pentium Gold 4425Y
Socket	LGA1155	FCBGA1515
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core i3-2105) / not specified (Pentium Gold 4425Y). The Core i3-2105 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Pentium Gold 4425Y requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-2105 targets Desktop.