Core i3-3229Y vs Pentium 957

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 957 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 957: 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

✅+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 957 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,014 vs 1,015).
❌2911.8% higher power demand at 512W vs 17W.

Pentium 957

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 17W instead of 512W, a 495W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $134 MSRP, while Core i3-3229Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-3229Y can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium 957 better than Core i3-3229Y?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-3229Y is ahead with 16.7% higher max boost clock. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 957 pulls ahead with 0.1% 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, Pentium 957 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium 957 is the better buy right now. Pentium 957 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $134 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i3-3229Y is still the better pure gaming CPU with 16.7% higher max boost clock. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i3-3229Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011) and 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-3229Y vs Pentium 957 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 957

The Pentium 957 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 1.2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 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: 1,015 points. Launch price was $134.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-3229Y packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium 957's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.4 GHz on the Core i3-3229Y versus 1.2 GHz on the Pentium 957 — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Core i3-3229Y (base: 1.4 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The Core i3-3229Y uses the Ivy Bridge-Y (2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium 957 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3229Y scores 1,014 against the Pentium 957's 1,015 — a 0.1% lead for the Pentium 957. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3229Y vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 957.

Feature	Core i3-3229Y	Pentium 957
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.4 GHz+17%	1.2 GHz
Base Clock	1.4 GHz+17%	1.2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)+50%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge-Y (2013)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,014	1,015
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 957
Socket	BGA1023	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
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 957). The Core i3-3229Y includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Pentium 957 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3229Y targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i3-3229Y rivals Athlon Silver 3050GE.