
Core i3-3250 vs Pentium G3470

Core i3-3250

Pentium G3470
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-3250 is positioned at rank 846 and the Pentium G3470 is on rank 877, so the Core i3-3250 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3250
Performance Per Dollar Pentium G3470
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-3250 | Pentium G3470 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($40) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($130) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-3250 | Pentium G3470 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+227%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($40) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($130) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-3250 and Pentium G3470

Core i3-3250
The Core i3-3250 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 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: DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,460 points. Launch price was $138.

Pentium G3470
The Pentium G3470 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency: 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 53 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333/1600, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,448 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The Core i3-3250 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium G3470's 2 cores. The Core i3-3250 is built on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i3-3250 scores 2,460 against the Pentium G3470's 2,448 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i3-3250. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3250 vs 3 MB on the Pentium G3470.
| Feature | Core i3-3250 | Pentium G3470 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 3.5 GHz | — |
| Base Clock | 3.5 GHz | 3.6 GHz+3% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 3 MB |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | — |
| Process | 22 nm | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | — |
| PassMark | 2,460 | 2,448 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-3250 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium G3470 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-3250 | Pentium G3470 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | LGA1150 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-3250 launched at $138 MSRP, while the Pentium G3470 debuted at $150. At current prices ($40 vs $130), the Core i3-3250 is $90 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-3250 delivers 61.5 pts/$ vs 18.8 pts/$ for the Pentium G3470 — making the Core i3-3250 the 106.2% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-3250 | Pentium G3470 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $138-8% | $150 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $40-69% | $130 |
| Performance per Dollar | 61.5+227% | 18.8 |
| Release Date | 2013 | 2015 |
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