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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i3-3229Y

2013

Why buy it

✅+16.7% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 1 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4000, while Pentium E2210 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Pentium E2210.

Pentium E2210

2009

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-3229Y.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (300 vs 350).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (500 vs 657).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (1 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $84 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.

Core i3-3229Y

2013

Pentium E2210

2009

Why buy it

✅+16.7% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 1 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4000, while Pentium E2210 needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-3229Y.

Trade-offs

❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Pentium E2210.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (300 vs 350).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (500 vs 657).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (1 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $84 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 Core i3-3229Y better than Pentium E2210?

Yes. Core i3-3229Y is the better overall CPU here. You are getting 31.4% better Geekbench multi-core, 0.9% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-3229Y is the better fit because it leads the single-thread side of the matchup with 16.7% stronger Geekbench single-core performance.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-3229Y is the better fit. You are getting 31.4% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 1 MB).

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

Core i3-3229Y is the smarter buy by a wide margin for a fresh build. Core i3-3229Y is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $84 MSRP, and it gives you 0.9% higher PassMark. Pentium E2210 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that is mostly used-market pricing on an obsolete 2009 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (12.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a very cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA775.

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

Core i3-3229Y is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2009), 200% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 1 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i3-3229Y Benchmark Check

Pentium E2210 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i3-3229Y	Pentium E2210
1080p
low	25 FPS	25 FPS
medium	25 FPS	25 FPS
high	25 FPS	25 FPS
ultra	25 FPS	25 FPS
1440p
low	25 FPS	25 FPS
medium	25 FPS	25 FPS
high	25 FPS	25 FPS
ultra	25 FPS	25 FPS
4K
low	25 FPS	25 FPS
medium	25 FPS	25 FPS
high	25 FPS	25 FPS
ultra	25 FPS	25 FPS

Open Core i3-3229Y Open Pentium E2210

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i3-3229Y	Pentium E2210
1080p
low	25 FPS	25 FPS
medium	25 FPS	25 FPS
high	25 FPS	25 FPS
ultra	25 FPS	25 FPS
1440p
low	25 FPS	25 FPS
medium	25 FPS	25 FPS
high	25 FPS	25 FPS
ultra	25 FPS	25 FPS
4K
low	25 FPS	25 FPS
medium	25 FPS	25 FPS
high	25 FPS	25 FPS
ultra	20 FPS	18 FPS

Open Core i3-3229Y Open Pentium E2210

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i3-3229Y	Pentium E2210
1080p
low	25 FPS	25 FPS
medium	25 FPS	25 FPS
high	25 FPS	25 FPS
ultra	25 FPS	25 FPS
1440p
low	25 FPS	25 FPS
medium	25 FPS	25 FPS
high	25 FPS	25 FPS
ultra	25 FPS	25 FPS
4K
low	25 FPS	25 FPS
medium	25 FPS	25 FPS
high	25 FPS	25 FPS
ultra	25 FPS	25 FPS

Open Core i3-3229Y Open Pentium E2210

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i3-3229Y	Pentium E2210
1080p
low	25 FPS	25 FPS
medium	25 FPS	25 FPS
high	25 FPS	25 FPS
ultra	25 FPS	25 FPS
1440p
low	25 FPS	25 FPS
medium	25 FPS	25 FPS
high	25 FPS	25 FPS
ultra	25 FPS	25 FPS
4K
low	25 FPS	25 FPS
medium	25 FPS	25 FPS
high	25 FPS	25 FPS
ultra	25 FPS	25 FPS

Open Core i3-3229Y Open Pentium E2210

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-3229Y and Pentium E2210

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 E2210

The Pentium E2210 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency: 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 1 MB L2 Cache. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,005 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-3229Y packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium E2210's 2 cores. The Core i3-3229Y is built on the Ivy Bridge-Y (2013) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i3-3229Y scores 1,014 against the Pentium E2210's 1,005 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i3-3229Y. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 350 vs 300, a 15.4% lead for the Core i3-3229Y that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 500 (27.1% advantage for the Core i3-3229Y). L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3229Y vs 1 MB L2 Cache on the Pentium E2210.

Feature	Core i3-3229Y	Pentium E2210
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.4 GHz	—
Base Clock	1.4 GHz	2.2 GHz+57%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)+200%	1 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge-Y (2013)	—
PassMark	1,014	1,005
Geekbench 6 Single	350+17%	300
Geekbench 6 Multi	657+31%	500

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-3229Y uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium E2210 uses LGA775 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Core i3-3229Y versus DDR2 on the Pentium E2210 — the Core i3-3229Y supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-3229Y supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 155.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-3229Y) vs 0 (Pentium E2210) — the Core i3-3229Y offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM77,UM77 (Core i3-3229Y) and Intel P35,Intel G33,Intel G31,Intel G41 (Pentium E2210).

Feature	Core i3-3229Y	Pentium E2210
Socket	BGA1023	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600+50%	DDR2
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+700%	4 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, EPT (Core i3-3229Y) vs false (Pentium E2210). The Core i3-3229Y includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Pentium E2210 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3229Y targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i3-3229Y rivals Athlon Silver 3050GE.