Core i3-4170 vs Pentium G4600

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 i3-4170 vs Pentium G4600 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 i3-4170 vs Pentium G4600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-4170

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.0% 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 G4600 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pentium G4600.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,626 vs 3,629).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 31.0 vs 44.3 PassMark/$ ($117 MSRP vs $82 MSRP).

Pentium G4600

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $35 less on MSRP ($82 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).
✅Delivers 42.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 44.3 vs 31.0 PassMark/$ ($82 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).
✅Draws 51W instead of 54W, a 3W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-4170 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-4170 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-4170.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G4600 better than Core i3-4170?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-4170 is ahead with a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G4600 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G4600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium G4600 is the better buy right now. Pentium G4600 comes in $35 cheaper on MSRP at $82 MSRP versus $117 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i3-4170 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 42.8% better value on MSRP (44.3 vs 31.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium G4600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2014) 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 i3-4170 vs Pentium G4600 Technical Specifications

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

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.

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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	—

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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	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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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	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-4170 was priced at $117, while the Pentium G4600 came in at $82. On launch pricing ($117 vs $82), Pentium G4600 was $35 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-4170 delivers 31.0 pts/$ vs 44.3 pts/$ for the Pentium G4600 — making the Pentium G4600 the 35.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-4170	Pentium G4600
MSRP	$117	$82-30%
Performance per Dollar	31.0	44.3+43%
Release Date	2014	2017

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