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 i3-3220 vs Pentium 1403 v2 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 i3-3220 vs Pentium 1403 v2: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-3220

2012

Why buy it

✅Costs $33 less on MSRP ($117 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
✅Delivers 27.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 19.5 vs 15.2 PassMark/$ ($117 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 2500, while Pentium 1403 v2 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pentium 1403 v2.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,276 vs 2,284).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).

Pentium 1403 v2

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.2 vs 19.5 PassMark/$ ($150 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-3220 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-3220.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium 1403 v2 better than Core i3-3220?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-3220 is ahead with a 1.0% average FPS lead across 48 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 1403 v2 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Pentium 1403 v2 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 1403 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Pentium 1403 v2 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium 1403 v2 comes in 28.2% more expensive on MSRP at $150 MSRP versus $117 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. Core i3-3220 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 27.8% better value on paper (19.5 vs 15.2 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

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

Pentium 1403 v2 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2012), 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB), 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 i3-3220 vs Pentium 1403 v2 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-3220

The Core i3-3220 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,276 points. Launch price was $117.

Pentium 1403 v2

The Pentium 1403 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,284 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-3220 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium 1403 v2's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i3-3220 versus 2.6 GHz on the Pentium 1403 v2 — a 23.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-3220 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i3-3220 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium 1403 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3220 scores 2,276 against the Pentium 1403 v2's 2,284 — a 0.4% lead for the Pentium 1403 v2. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3220 vs 6 MB (total) on the Pentium 1403 v2.

Feature	Core i3-3220	Pentium 1403 v2
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz+27%	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+27%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	6 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014)
PassMark	2,276	2,284
Geekbench 6 Single	503	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-3220 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium 1403 v2 uses LGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-3220	Pentium 1403 v2
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, EPT (Core i3-3220) / not specified (Pentium 1403 v2). The Core i3-3220 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2500), while the Pentium 1403 v2 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3220 targets Budget Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-3220 rivals FX-4300.

Feature	Core i3-3220	Pentium 1403 v2
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 2500	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, EPT	—
Target Use	Budget Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-3220 was priced at $117, while the Pentium 1403 v2 came in at $150. On launch pricing ($117 vs $150), Core i3-3220 was $33 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-3220 delivers 19.5 pts/$ vs 15.2 pts/$ for the Pentium 1403 v2 — making the Core i3-3220 the 24.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-3220	Pentium 1403 v2
MSRP	$117-22%	$150
Performance per Dollar	19.5+28%	15.2
Release Date	2012	2014

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