Core i3-7300 vs Pentium Gold G6605

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 i3-7300 vs Pentium Gold G6605 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 i3-7300 vs Pentium Gold G6605: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-7300

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 51W instead of 58W, a 7W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while Pentium Gold G6605 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $184 MSRP, while Pentium Gold G6605 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Pentium Gold G6605

2021

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-7300 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,488 vs 4,519).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-7300 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-7300 better than Pentium Gold G6605?

Yes. Core i3-7300 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.7% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-7300 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.3% 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 i3-7300 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 i3-7300 is the better buy right now. Core i3-7300 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $184 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (24.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Pentium Gold G6605 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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

Pentium Gold G6605 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2017). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-7300 vs Pentium Gold G6605 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-7300

The Core i3-7300 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 4 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,519 points. Launch price was $147.

Pentium Gold G6605

The Pentium Gold G6605 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 58 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 4,488 points. Launch price was $86.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-7300 and Pentium Gold G6605 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i3-7300 versus 4.3 GHz on the Pentium Gold G6605 — a 7.2% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold G6605 (base: 4 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The Core i3-7300 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium Gold G6605 uses Comet Lake-R (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7300 scores 4,519 against the Pentium Gold G6605's 4,488 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i3-7300. Both processors carry 4 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-7300	Pentium Gold G6605
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	4 GHz	4.3 GHz+7%
Base Clock	4 GHz	4.3 GHz+7%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Comet Lake-R (2021)
PassMark	4,519	4,488

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7300 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium Gold G6605 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-7300	Pentium Gold G6605
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-7300) / not specified (Pentium Gold G6605). The Core i3-7300 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Pentium Gold G6605 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7300 targets Desktop.