Core i3-2357M vs Pentium G3220T

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 i3-2357M vs Pentium G3220T 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 i3-2357M vs Pentium G3220T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-2357M

2011

Why buy it

✅Draws 17W instead of 35W, a 18W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 3000, while Pentium G3220T needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,645 vs 1,649).

Pentium G3220T

2013

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $54 MSRP, while Core i3-2357M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌105.9% higher power demand at 35W vs 17W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-2357M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G3220T better than Core i3-2357M?

Yes. Pentium G3220T is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.2% 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 G3220T is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.8% 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 G3220T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium G3220T is the better buy right now. Pentium G3220T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $54 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (30.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 G3220T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-2357M vs Pentium G3220T Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-2357M

The Core i3-2357M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 1.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,645 points. Launch price was $250.

Pentium G3220T

The Pentium G3220T 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 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 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: 1,649 points. Launch price was $40.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-2357M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium G3220T's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.3 GHz on the Core i3-2357M versus 2.6 GHz on the Pentium G3220T — a 66.7% clock advantage for the Pentium G3220T (base: 1.3 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i3-2357M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium G3220T uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2357M scores 1,645 against the Pentium G3220T's 1,649 — a 0.2% lead for the Pentium G3220T. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-2357M	Pentium G3220T
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.3 GHz	2.6 GHz+100%
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	2.6 GHz+100%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	1,645	1,649
Cinebench R23 Multi	440	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	440	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-2357M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium G3220T uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-2357M	Pentium G3220T
Socket	BGA1023	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	16	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i3-2357M) / not specified (Pentium G3220T). The Core i3-2357M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Pentium G3220T requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i3-2357M rivals Core 2 Duo SU9600.