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 i3-8100 vs Pentium Gold G7400E 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 i3-8100 vs Pentium Gold G7400E: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-8100

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Pentium Gold G7400E.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (3,600 vs 4,131).
❌Launch MSRP is still $117 MSRP, while Pentium Gold G7400E mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌41.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 46W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Pentium Gold G7400E moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Pentium Gold G7400E

2022

Why buy it

✅+14.8% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Draws 46W instead of 65W, a 19W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-8100 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-8100.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium Gold G7400E better than Core i3-8100?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-8100 is ahead with a 6.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Gold G7400E pulls ahead with 14.8% better Geekbench multi-core.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Gold G7400E is the stronger fit. You are getting 14.8% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium Gold G7400E is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium Gold G7400E comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $117 MSRP, and it still gives you 14.8% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i3-8100 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (51.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 Gold G7400E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2017), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-8100 vs Pentium Gold G7400E Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-8100

The Core i3-8100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 October 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 6,073 points. Launch price was $117.

Pentium Gold G7400E

The Pentium Gold G7400E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 46 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 6,134 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-8100 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium Gold G7400E offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i3-8100 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i3-8100 versus 3.6 GHz on the Pentium Gold G7400E — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i3-8100 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium Gold G7400E uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-8100 scores 6,073 against the Pentium Gold G7400E's 6,134 — a 1% lead for the Pentium Gold G7400E. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,200 vs 1,960, a 48.1% lead for the Pentium Gold G7400E that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 3,600 vs 4,131 (13.7% advantage for the Pentium Gold G7400E). Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-8100	Pentium Gold G7400E
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+20380%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	10 nm-29%
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	6,073	6,134+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	3,814
Geekbench 6 Single	1,200	1,960+63%
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,600	4,131+15%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-8100 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium Gold G7400E uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-8100 versus DDR5-4800 on the Pentium Gold G7400E — the Pentium Gold G7400E supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Pentium Gold G7400E supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-8100) vs 20 (Pentium Gold G7400E) — the Pentium Gold G7400E offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B360,H310,H370,Z370,Z390 (Core i3-8100) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,W680,Q670,B760,H770,Z790 (Pentium Gold G7400E).

Feature	Core i3-8100	Pentium Gold G7400E
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	DDR5-4800+100%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 630 (Core i3-8100) and Intel UHD Graphics 710 (Pentium Gold G7400E) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8100 targets Budget Desktop, Pentium Gold G7400E targets Embedded.

Feature	Core i3-8100	Pentium Gold G7400E
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 630	Intel UHD Graphics 710
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Budget Desktop	Embedded