Core i3-3250T vs Pentium G4520

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 i3-3250T vs Pentium G4520 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 i3-3250T vs Pentium G4520: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-3250T

2013

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 51W, a 16W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 2500, while Pentium G4520 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium G4520 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,650 vs 2,670).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.2 vs 31.0 PassMark/$ ($138 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).

Pentium G4520

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Costs $52 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).
✅Delivers 61.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 31.0 vs 19.2 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌45.7% higher power demand at 51W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-3250T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G4520 better than Core i3-3250T?

Yes. Pentium G4520 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.8% 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 G4520 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G4520 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Pentium G4520 is the better buy right now. Pentium G4520 comes in $52 cheaper on MSRP at $86 MSRP versus $138 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 61.7% better value on MSRP (31.0 vs 19.2 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium G4520 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-3250T vs Pentium G4520 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-3250T

The Core i3-3250T 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 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,650 points. Launch price was $69.

Pentium G4520

The Pentium G4520 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,670 points. Launch price was $93.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-3250T packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium G4520's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i3-3250T versus 3.6 GHz on the Pentium G4520 — a 18.2% clock advantage for the Pentium G4520 (base: 3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i3-3250T uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium G4520 uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3250T scores 2,650 against the Pentium G4520's 2,670 — a 0.8% lead for the Pentium G4520. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3250T vs 4 MB (total) on the Pentium G4520.

Feature	Core i3-3250T	Pentium G4520
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3 GHz	3.6 GHz+20%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.6 GHz+20%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	2,650	2,670

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-3250T uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium G4520 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-3250T	Pentium G4520
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1151
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

The Core i3-3250T includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 2500), while the Pentium G4520 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i3-3250T	Pentium G4520
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 2500	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-3250T was priced at $138, while the Pentium G4520 came in at $86. On launch pricing ($138 vs $86), Pentium G4520 was $52 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-3250T delivers 19.2 pts/$ vs 31.0 pts/$ for the Pentium G4520 — making the Pentium G4520 the 47.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-3250T	Pentium G4520
MSRP	$138	$86-38%
Performance per Dollar	19.2	31.0+61%
Release Date	2013	2015

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