Core i3-3229Y vs Pentium 2117U

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 i3-3229Y vs Pentium 2117U 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 i3-3229Y vs Pentium 2117U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-3229Y

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅+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 HD Graphics 4000, while Pentium 2117U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Pentium 2117U

2012

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,009 vs 1,014).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-3229Y can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-3229Y better than Pentium 2117U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium 2117U is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-3229Y pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark. Core i3-3229Y 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, Core i3-3229Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Core i3-3229Y still makes the most sense overall. Core i3-3229Y comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark.

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

Core i3-3229Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012), 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-3229Y vs Pentium 2117U Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-3229Y

The Core i3-3229Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-Y (2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 1.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 13 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,014 points. Launch price was $250.

Pentium 2117U

The Pentium 2117U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 2 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: 1,009 points. Launch price was $134.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-3229Y packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium 2117U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.4 GHz on the Core i3-3229Y versus 1.8 GHz on the Pentium 2117U — a 25% clock advantage for the Pentium 2117U (base: 1.4 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i3-3229Y uses the Ivy Bridge-Y (2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium 2117U uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3229Y scores 1,014 against the Pentium 2117U's 1,009 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i3-3229Y. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3229Y vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 2117U.

Feature	Core i3-3229Y	Pentium 2117U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.4 GHz	1.8 GHz+29%
Base Clock	1.4 GHz	1.8 GHz+29%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)+50%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge-Y (2013)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	1,014	1,009
Geekbench 6 Single	350	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the BGA1023 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i3-3229Y	Pentium 2117U
Socket	BGA1023	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-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 i3-3229Y) / not specified (Pentium 2117U). The Core i3-3229Y includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Pentium 2117U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3229Y targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i3-3229Y rivals Athlon Silver 3050GE.