CPU
GPU
Core i3-4170
Pentium G4600
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-4170 is positioned at rank 585 and the Pentium G4600 is on rank 466, so the Pentium G4600 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-4170
Performance Per Dollar Pentium G4600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-4170 | Pentium G4600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($40) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($116) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-4170 | Pentium G4600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+190%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($40) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($116) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-4170 and Pentium G4600
Core i3-4170
The Core i3-4170 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333/1600, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,626 points. Launch price was $117.
Pentium G4600
The Pentium G4600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) 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 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2133/2400, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,629 points. Launch price was $87.
Processing Power
Both the Core i3-4170 and Pentium G4600 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i3-4170 versus 3.6 GHz on the Pentium G4600 — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-4170 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i3-4170 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium G4600 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4170 scores 3,626 against the Pentium G4600's 3,629 — a 0.1% lead for the Pentium G4600. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i3-4170 | Pentium G4600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz+3% | 3.6 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.7 GHz+3% | 3.6 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm | 14 nm-36% |
| Architecture | Haswell (2013−2015) | Kaby Lake (2016−2019) |
| PassMark | 3,626 | 3,629 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,140 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,897 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-4170 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium G4600 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-4170 | Pentium G4600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1150 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ✅ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-4170) / not specified (Pentium G4600). The Core i3-4170 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4400), while the Pentium G4600 requires a dedicated GPU.
| Feature | Core i3-4170 | Pentium G4600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 4400 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-4170 launched at $117 MSRP, while the Pentium G4600 debuted at $82. At current prices ($40 vs $116), the Core i3-4170 is $76 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-4170 delivers 90.7 pts/$ vs 31.3 pts/$ for the Pentium G4600 — making the Core i3-4170 the 97.4% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-4170 | Pentium G4600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $117 | $82-30% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $40-66% | $116 |
| Performance per Dollar | 90.7+190% | 31.3 |
| Release Date | 2014 | 2017 |
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