Core i3-4160 vs Pentium Gold G6400T

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 i3-4160 vs Pentium Gold G6400T 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 i3-4160 vs Pentium Gold G6400T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-4160

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4400, while Pentium Gold G6400T needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pentium Gold G6400T.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,506 vs 3,544).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $117 MSRP, while Pentium Gold G6400T mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌54.3% higher power demand at 54W vs 35W.

Pentium Gold G6400T

2020

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 54W, a 19W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-4160 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-4160 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-4160.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium Gold G6400T better than Core i3-4160?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-4160 is ahead with a 4.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Gold G6400T pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark. Pentium Gold G6400T also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Gold G6400T is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 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 Gold G6400T is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium Gold G6400T comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $117 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.1% better PassMark. Core i3-4160 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (30.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 Gold G6400T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2014), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-4160 vs Pentium Gold G6400T Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-4160

The Core i3-4160 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 July 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,506 points. Launch price was $133.

Pentium Gold G6400T

The Pentium Gold G6400T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency: 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 3,544 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-4160 and Pentium Gold G6400T share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. The Core i3-4160 is built on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i3-4160 scores 3,506 against the Pentium Gold G6400T's 3,544 — a 1.1% lead for the Pentium Gold G6400T. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4160 vs 4 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Pentium Gold G6400T.

Feature	Core i3-4160	Pentium Gold G6400T
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	—
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+6%	3.4 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB Intel® Smart Cache+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	—
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	—
PassMark	3,506	3,544+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,100	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4160 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium Gold G6400T uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-4160	Pentium Gold G6400T
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, EPT (Core i3-4160) / not specified (Pentium Gold G6400T). The Core i3-4160 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4400), while the Pentium Gold G6400T requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4160 targets Budget Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-4160 rivals FX-6300.