Core i3-4158U vs Pentium G2130

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 i3-4158U vs Pentium G2130 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 i3-4158U vs Pentium G2130: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-4158U

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Iris Graphics 5100, while Pentium G2130 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌830.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 55W.

Pentium G2130

2013

Why buy it

✅Draws 55W instead of 512W, a 457W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,915 vs 1,921).
❌Launch MSRP is still $75 MSRP, while Core i3-4158U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-4158U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G2130 better than Core i3-4158U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium G2130 is ahead with a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4158U pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4158U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium G2130 is the better buy right now. Pentium G2130 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $75 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i3-4158U is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.3% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (25.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-4158U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-4158U vs Pentium G2130 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-4158U

The Core i3-4158U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,921 points. Launch price was $315.

Pentium G2130

The Pentium G2130 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3072 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,915 points. Launch price was $90.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-4158U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium G2130's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Core i3-4158U versus 3.2 GHz on the Pentium G2130 — a 46.2% clock advantage for the Pentium G2130 (base: 2 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i3-4158U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium G2130 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4158U scores 1,921 against the Pentium G2130's 1,915 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-4158U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4158U vs 3072 kB (total) on the Pentium G2130.

Feature	Core i3-4158U	Pentium G2130
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2 GHz	3.2 GHz+60%
Base Clock	2 GHz	3.2 GHz+60%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3072 kB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	1,921	1,915
Geekbench 6 Single	457	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4158U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium G2130 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-4158U	Pentium G2130
Socket	FCBGA1168	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Core i3-4158U) / not specified (Pentium G2130). The Core i3-4158U includes integrated graphics (Intel Iris Graphics 5100), while the Pentium G2130 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4158U targets Multimedia.