Core i3-3227U vs Pentium Gold 6405U

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 i3-3227U vs Pentium Gold 6405U 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 i3-3227U vs Pentium Gold 6405U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-3227U

2013

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4000, while Pentium Gold 6405U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,299 vs 1,320).
❌51100% higher power demand at 512W vs 1W.

Pentium Gold 6405U

2019

Why buy it

✅Draws 1W instead of 512W, a 511W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-3227U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium Gold 6405U better than Core i3-3227U?

Yes. Pentium Gold 6405U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 46 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.6% 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 Gold 6405U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.8% more average FPS across 46 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Gold 6405U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium Gold 6405U still makes the most sense overall. Pentium Gold 6405U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 46 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Pentium Gold 6405U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2013) 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 i3-3227U vs Pentium Gold 6405U Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-3227U

The Core i3-3227U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 1.9 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. Passmark benchmark score: 1,299 points. Launch price was $225.

Pentium Gold 6405U

The Pentium Gold 6405U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 31 October 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,320 points. Launch price was $161.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-3227U and Pentium Gold 6405U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.9 GHz on the Core i3-3227U versus 2.4 GHz on the Pentium Gold 6405U — a 23.3% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold 6405U (base: 1.9 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i3-3227U uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium Gold 6405U uses Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3227U scores 1,299 against the Pentium Gold 6405U's 1,320 — a 1.6% lead for the Pentium Gold 6405U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3227U vs 2 MB on the Pentium Gold 6405U.

Feature	Core i3-3227U	Pentium Gold 6405U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.9 GHz	2.4 GHz+26%
Base Clock	1.9 GHz	2.4 GHz+26%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)+50%	2 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Comet Lake-U (2019−2020)
PassMark	1,299	1,320+2%
Geekbench 6 Single	400	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	900	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-3227U uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium Gold 6405U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-3227U	Pentium Gold 6405U
Socket	BGA1023	FCBGA1528
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, VT-d (Core i3-3227U) / not specified (Pentium Gold 6405U). The Core i3-3227U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Pentium Gold 6405U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3227U targets Legacy Ultrabook. Direct competitor: Core i3-3227U rivals AMD A6-4455M.