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 i5-2310 vs Pentium Gold G5420 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 i5-2310 vs Pentium Gold G5420: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-2310

2011

Why buy it

✅+14.9% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (565 vs 764).
❌Launch MSRP is still $177 MSRP, while Pentium Gold G5420 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌75.9% higher power demand at 95W vs 54W.

Pentium Gold G5420

2019

Why buy it

✅+35.2% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 54W instead of 95W, a 41W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,515 vs 1,740).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium Gold G5420 better than Core i5-2310?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium Gold G5420 is ahead with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2310 pulls ahead with 14.9% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i5-2310 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2310 is the stronger fit. You are getting 14.9% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Pentium Gold G5420 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium Gold G5420 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $177 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-2310 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (20.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

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

Pentium Gold G5420 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-2310 vs Pentium Gold G5420 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-2310

The Core i5-2310 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 22 May 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,664 points. Launch price was $150.

Pentium Gold G5420

The Pentium Gold G5420 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,700 points. Launch price was $64.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-2310 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium Gold G5420 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-2310 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-2310 versus 3.8 GHz on the Pentium Gold G5420 — a 17.1% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold G5420 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i5-2310 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium Gold G5420 uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2310 scores 3,664 against the Pentium Gold G5420's 3,700 — a 1% lead for the Pentium Gold G5420. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 565 vs 764, a 29.9% lead for the Pentium Gold G5420 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,740 vs 1,515 (13.8% advantage for the Core i5-2310). L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-2310 vs 4 MB on the Pentium Gold G5420.

Feature	Core i5-2310	Pentium Gold G5420
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.8 GHz+19%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	3.8 GHz+31%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)+50%	4 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
PassMark	3,664	3,700
Geekbench 6 Single	565	764+35%
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,740+15%	1,515

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-2310 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Gold G5420 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2310 versus DDR4-2400 on the Pentium Gold G5420 — the Pentium Gold G5420 supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Pentium Gold G5420 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H61,P67,Z68,Z77 (Core i5-2310) and H310,B360,B365,H370,Z370,Z390 (Pentium Gold G5420).

Feature	Core i5-2310	Pentium Gold G5420
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR4-2400+80%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	64 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: Yes (Core i5-2310) vs VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Pentium Gold G5420). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 2000 (Core i5-2310) and Intel UHD Graphics 610 (Pentium Gold G5420) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium Gold G5420 targets Office.

Feature	Core i5-2310	Pentium Gold G5420
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 2000	Intel UHD Graphics 610
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	Yes	VT-x / VT-d / EPT
Target Use	—	Office