Core i5-2435M vs Pentium G3420

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 i5-2435M vs Pentium G3420 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 i5-2435M vs Pentium G3420: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-2435M

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 54W, a 19W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 3000, while Pentium G3420 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Pentium G3420

2013

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,022 vs 2,035).
❌Launch MSRP is still $86 MSRP, while Core i5-2435M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌54.3% higher power demand at 54W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-2435M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G3420 better than Core i5-2435M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium G3420 is ahead with a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2435M pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2435M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium G3420 is the better buy right now. Pentium G3420 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $86 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-2435M is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.6% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (23.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 G3420 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-2435M vs Pentium G3420 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-2435M

The Core i5-2435M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,035 points. Launch price was $225.

Pentium G3420

The Pentium G3420 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 53 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,022 points. Launch price was $252.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-2435M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium G3420's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i5-2435M versus 3.2 GHz on the Pentium G3420 — a 6.5% clock advantage for the Pentium G3420 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-2435M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium G3420 uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2435M scores 2,035 against the Pentium G3420's 2,022 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-2435M. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-2435M	Pentium G3420
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3 GHz	3.2 GHz+7%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	3.2 GHz+33%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,035	2,022
Geekbench 6 Single	525	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,025	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-2435M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium G3420 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-2435M	Pentium G3420
Socket	BGA1023	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-2435M) / not specified (Pentium G3420). The Core i5-2435M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Pentium G3420 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2435M targets Legacy Laptop.