Core i3-3217U vs Pentium Dual Core T4300
Core i3-3217U
Pentium Dual Core T4300
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 i3-3217U is positioned at rank 684 and the Pentium Dual Core T4300 is on rank 1127, so the Core i3-3217U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3217U
Performance Per Dollar Pentium Dual Core T4300
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-3217U | Pentium Dual Core T4300 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($99) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (NetBurst (2000−2006) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-3217U | Pentium Dual Core T4300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($99) |
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 i3-3217U and Pentium Dual Core T4300
Core i3-3217U
The Core i3-3217U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3/L/-RS 1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,226 points. Launch price was $225.
Pentium Dual Core T4300
The Pentium Dual Core T4300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: P. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,232 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The Core i3-3217U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium Dual Core T4300's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.8 GHz on the Core i3-3217U versus 2.1 GHz on the Pentium Dual Core T4300 — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Pentium Dual Core T4300 (base: 1.8 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i3-3217U uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium Dual Core T4300 uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3217U scores 1,226 against the Pentium Dual Core T4300's 1,232 — a 0.5% lead for the Pentium Dual Core T4300. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3217U vs 0 kB on the Pentium Dual Core T4300.
| Feature | Core i3-3217U | Pentium Dual Core T4300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 1.8 GHz | 2.1 GHz+17% |
| Base Clock | 1.8 GHz | 2.1 GHz+17% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 1 MB+300% |
| Process | 22 nm-51% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | NetBurst (2000−2006) |
| PassMark | 1,226 | 1,232 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-3217U uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium Dual Core T4300 uses P (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the Core i3-3217U versus DDR3-800 on the Pentium Dual Core T4300 — the Core i3-3217U supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-3217U supports up to 32 of RAM compared to 8 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-3217U) vs 0 (Pentium Dual Core T4300) — the Core i3-3217U offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core i3-3217U | Pentium Dual Core T4300 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1023 | P |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+173% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1600+53233% | DDR3-800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 | 8 GB+26214300% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i3-3217U) vs No VT-x (Pentium Dual Core T4300). The Core i3-3217U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Pentium Dual Core T4300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium Dual Core T4300 targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i3-3217U rivals AMD A6-4455M.
| Feature | Core i3-3217U | Pentium Dual Core T4300 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | No VT-x |
| Target Use | — | Mobile |
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