Core i3-7100T vs Pentium Gold G5400

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 i3-7100T vs Pentium Gold G5400 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 i3-7100T vs Pentium Gold G5400: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-7100T

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 54W, a 19W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Pentium Gold G5400.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium Gold G5400 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $117 MSRP, while Pentium Gold G5400 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Pentium Gold G5400

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,735 vs 3,763).
❌54.3% higher power demand at 54W vs 35W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-7100T.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-7100T better than Pentium Gold G5400?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium Gold G5400 is ahead with a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7100T pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark. Pentium Gold G5400 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, Core i3-7100T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-7100T is the better buy right now. Core i3-7100T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $117 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Pentium Gold G5400 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (32.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium Gold G5400 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2017) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-7100T vs Pentium Gold G5400 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-7100T

The Core i3-7100T 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 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,763 points. Launch price was $117.

Pentium Gold G5400

The Pentium Gold G5400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) 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: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 58 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,735 points. Launch price was $64.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-7100T and Pentium Gold G5400 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i3-7100T versus 3.7 GHz on the Pentium Gold G5400 — a 8.5% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold G5400 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i3-7100T uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium Gold G5400 uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7100T scores 3,763 against the Pentium Gold G5400's 3,735 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i3-7100T. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-7100T vs 4 MB (total) on the Pentium Gold G5400.

Feature	Core i3-7100T	Pentium Gold G5400
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.7 GHz+9%
Base Clock	3.4 GHz	3.7 GHz+9%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
PassMark	3,763	3,735
Geekbench 6 Single	1,157	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,500	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR4-2400 memory speed. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i3-7100T	Pentium Gold G5400
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-7100T) vs VT-x (Pentium Gold G5400). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 630 (Core i3-7100T) and UHD Graphics 610 (Pentium Gold G5400) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7100T targets Low Power Desktop, Pentium Gold G5400 targets Budget.

Feature	Core i3-7100T	Pentium Gold G5400
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 630	UHD Graphics 610
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x
Target Use	Low Power Desktop	Budget