Core i3-7300T vs Pentium Gold G6400

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 i3-7300T vs Pentium Gold G6400 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 i3-7300T vs Pentium Gold G6400: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-7300T

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 58W, a 23W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while Pentium Gold G6400 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pentium Gold G6400.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $138 MSRP, while Pentium Gold G6400 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Pentium Gold G6400

2020

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,106 vs 4,145).
❌65.7% higher power demand at 58W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-7300T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-7300T.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-7300T better than Pentium Gold G6400?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium Gold G6400 is ahead with a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7300T pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7300T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-7300T is the better buy right now. Core i3-7300T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $138 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that Pentium Gold G6400 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (30.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 G6400 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 G6400 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2017). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-7300T vs Pentium Gold G6400 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-7300T

The Core i3-7300T 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 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 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: 4,145 points. Launch price was $147.

Pentium Gold G6400

The Pentium Gold G6400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) 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: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 58 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 4,106 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-7300T and Pentium Gold G6400 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i3-7300T versus 4 GHz on the Pentium Gold G6400 — a 13.3% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold G6400 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Core i3-7300T uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium Gold G6400 uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7300T scores 4,145 against the Pentium Gold G6400's 4,106 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i3-7300T. Both processors carry 4 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-7300T	Pentium Gold G6400
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	4 GHz+14%
Base Clock	3.5 GHz	4 GHz+14%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	4,145	4,106
Geekbench 6 Single	1,100	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7300T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium Gold G6400 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-7300T	Pentium Gold G6400
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, EPT (Core i3-7300T) / not specified (Pentium Gold G6400). The Core i3-7300T includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Pentium Gold G6400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7300T targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-7300T rivals Ryzen 3 2200GE.