Core i5-2405S vs Pentium Gold G5420T

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 i5-2405S vs Pentium Gold G5420T 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 i5-2405S vs Pentium Gold G5420T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-2405S

2011

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 3000, while Pentium Gold G5420T needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pentium Gold G5420T.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $309 MSRP, while Pentium Gold G5420T mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Pentium Gold G5420T

2019

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,370 vs 3,397).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-2405S can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-2405S.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-2405S better than Pentium Gold G5420T?

Yes. Core i5-2405S is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 36 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.8% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-2405S is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.7% more average FPS across 36 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2405S is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, 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?

Core i5-2405S is the better buy right now. Core i5-2405S comes in at an unclear MSRP at $309 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 36 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (11.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 G5420T 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 i5-2405S vs Pentium Gold G5420T Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-2405S

The Core i5-2405S 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,397 points. Launch price was $472.

Pentium Gold G5420T

The Pentium Gold G5420T 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 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,370 points. Launch price was $64.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-2405S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium Gold G5420T offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-2405S has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-2405S versus 3.2 GHz on the Pentium Gold G5420T — a 3.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-2405S (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-2405S uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium Gold G5420T uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2405S scores 3,397 against the Pentium Gold G5420T's 3,370 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-2405S. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-2405S vs 4 MB on the Pentium Gold G5420T.

Feature	Core i5-2405S	Pentium Gold G5420T
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz+3%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.2 GHz+28%
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	3,397	3,370
Geekbench 6 Single	557	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,480	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-2405S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Gold G5420T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-2405S	Pentium Gold G5420T
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x / EPT (Core i5-2405S) / not specified (Pentium Gold G5420T). The Core i5-2405S includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Pentium Gold G5420T requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2405S targets Budget.