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 i3-4130T vs Pentium 8500 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 i3-4130T vs Pentium 8500: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-4130T

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $76 less on MSRP ($124 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
✅Delivers 60.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 23.2 vs 14.5 PassMark/$ ($124 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pentium 8500.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium 8500 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,876 vs 2,900).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).
❌288.9% higher power demand at 35W vs 9W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1150, while Pentium 8500 moves to FCBGA1781 and DDR5.

Pentium 8500

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 9W instead of 35W, a 26W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1781 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1150 and older memory support.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.5 vs 23.2 PassMark/$ ($200 MSRP vs $124 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-4130T.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium 8500 better than Core i3-4130T?

Yes. Pentium 8500 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.8% 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 8500 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.8% 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 8500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 5 cores and 6 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Pentium 8500 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium 8500 comes in 61.3% more expensive on MSRP at $200 MSRP versus $124 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-4130T only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2013 platform. Even with 60.0% better value on paper (23.2 vs 14.5 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1150.

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

Pentium 8500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2013), a healthier platform with FCBGA1781 and DDR5 instead of LGA1150, 166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 5 cores / 6 threads instead of 2/4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-4130T vs Pentium 8500 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-4130T

The Core i3-4130T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,876 points. Launch price was $270.

Pentium 8500

The Pentium 8500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture. It features 5 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 1 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1781. Thermal design power (TDP): 9 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 2,900 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-4130T packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium 8500 offers 5 cores / 6 threads — the Pentium 8500 has 3 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Core i3-4130T versus 4.4 GHz on the Pentium 8500 — a 41.1% clock advantage for the Pentium 8500 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 1 GHz). The Core i3-4130T uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium 8500 uses Alder Lake-U (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4130T scores 2,876 against the Pentium 8500's 2,900 — a 0.8% lead for the Pentium 8500. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 890 vs 1,250, a 33.6% lead for the Pentium 8500 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4130T vs 8 MB (total) on the Pentium 8500.

Feature	Core i3-4130T	Pentium 8500
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	5 / 6+150%
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz	4.4 GHz+52%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+190%	1 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)+400%
Process	22 nm	Intel 7 nm-68%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Alder Lake-U (2022)
PassMark	2,876	2,900
Geekbench 6 Single	890	1,250+40%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,100

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4130T uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium 8500 uses FCBGA1781 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-4130T versus LPDDR5-5200 on the Pentium 8500 — the Pentium 8500 supports 225% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Pentium 8500 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-4130T) vs 14 (Pentium 8500) — the Core i3-4130T offers 2 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H81,B85,Q85,H87,Q87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Core i3-4130T) and SoC (Pentium 8500).

Feature	Core i3-4130T	Pentium 8500
Socket	LGA1150	FCBGA1781
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	LPDDR5-5200+225%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	64 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16+14%	14

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, EPT (Core i3-4130T) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Pentium 8500). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 4400 (Core i3-4130T) and Intel UHD Graphics (48 EU) (Pentium 8500) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4130T targets Low Power Desktop, Pentium 8500 targets Entry Level Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-4130T rivals A8-7600.

Feature	Core i3-4130T	Pentium 8500
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4400	Intel UHD Graphics (48 EU)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Low Power Desktop	Entry Level Laptop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-4130T was priced at $124, while the Pentium 8500 came in at $200. On launch pricing ($124 vs $200), Core i3-4130T was $76 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-4130T delivers 23.2 pts/$ vs 14.5 pts/$ for the Pentium 8500 — making the Core i3-4130T the 46.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-4130T	Pentium 8500
MSRP	$124-38%	$200
Performance per Dollar	23.2+60%	14.5
Release Date	2013	2022

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