Core i3-4158U vs Pentium G3420T

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 G3420T 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 G3420T: 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

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Pentium G3420T.

Pentium G3420T

2013

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-4158U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,912 vs 1,921).
❌Launch MSRP is still $75 MSRP, while Core i3-4158U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G3420T better than Core i3-4158U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium G3420T is ahead with a 0.2% 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 0.5% 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 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium G3420T is the better buy right now. Pentium G3420T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $75 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i3-4158U is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.5% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (25.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 G3420T 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 G3420T

The Pentium G3420T 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 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 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: 1,912 points. Launch price was $75.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-4158U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium G3420T's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Core i3-4158U versus 2.7 GHz on the Pentium G3420T — a 29.8% clock advantage for the Pentium G3420T (base: 2 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). Both are built on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i3-4158U scores 1,921 against the Pentium G3420T's 1,912 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i3-4158U. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-4158U	Pentium G3420T
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2 GHz	2.7 GHz+35%
Base Clock	2 GHz	2.7 GHz+35%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	1,921	1,912
Geekbench 6 Single	457	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4158U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium G3420T uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3L-1600 memory speed. The Pentium G3420T supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i3-4158U) vs 16 (Pentium G3420T) — the Pentium G3420T offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM86,HM87 (Core i3-4158U) and LGA1150 (Pentium G3420T).

Feature	Core i3-4158U	Pentium G3420T
Socket	FCBGA1168	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	32 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	12	16+33%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Core i3-4158U) vs VT-x, VT-d (Pentium G3420T). Both include integrated graphics — Intel Iris Graphics 5100 (Core i3-4158U) and Intel HD Graphics (Pentium G3420T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4158U targets Multimedia.

Feature	Core i3-4158U	Pentium G3420T
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel Iris Graphics 5100	Intel HD Graphics
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x / VT-d / EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Multimedia	—