Core i3-4360 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 i3-4360 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 i3-4360 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 i3-4360

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Pentium G4600 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pentium G4600.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Pentium G4600

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 51W instead of 54W, a 3W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-4360 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,629 vs 3,639).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $82 MSRP, while Core i3-4360 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-4360 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4360 better than Pentium G4600?

Yes. Core i3-4360 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-4360 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.0% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4360 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% 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?

Core i3-4360 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-4360 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $82 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium G4600 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (44.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

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). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-4360 vs Pentium G4600 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-4360

The Core i3-4360 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: 4 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: 3,639 points. Launch price was $352.

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 i3-4360 and Pentium G4600 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i3-4360 versus 3.6 GHz on the Pentium G4600 — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-4360 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i3-4360 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium G4600 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4360 scores 3,639 against the Pentium G4600's 3,629 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-4360. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-4360 vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G4600.

Feature	Core i3-4360	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	4 MB (total)+33%	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	3,639	3,629
Geekbench 6 Single	1,128	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4360 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 i3-4360	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, EPT (Core i3-4360) / not specified (Pentium G4600). The Core i3-4360 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Pentium G4600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4360 targets Mainstream Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-4360 rivals Core i3-6100.