Core i5-2450M vs Pentium G3258
Core i5-2450M
Pentium G3258
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i5-2450M is positioned at rank 1100 and the Pentium G3258 is on rank 632, so the Pentium G3258 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2450M
Performance Per Dollar Pentium G3258
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-2450M | Pentium G3258 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) | ✅ More affordable ($72) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-2450M | Pentium G3258 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+211%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) | ✅ More affordable ($72) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-2450M and Pentium G3258
Core i5-2450M
The Core i5-2450M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,076 points. Launch price was $823.
Pentium G3258
The Pentium G3258 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2014 (11 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: 2,063 points. Launch price was $77.
Processing Power
The Core i5-2450M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium G3258's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-2450M versus 3.2 GHz on the Pentium G3258 — a 3.2% clock advantage for the Pentium G3258 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-2450M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium G3258 uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2450M scores 2,076 against the Pentium G3258's 2,063 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-2450M. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i5-2450M | Pentium G3258 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 3.1 GHz | 3.2 GHz+3% |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 3.2 GHz+28% |
| 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 | 2,076 | 2,063 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 1,352 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 453 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 871 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-2450M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium G3258 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Core i5-2450M versus DDR3-1333 on the Pentium G3258 — the Core i5-2450M supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Pentium G3258 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.
| Feature | Core i5-2450M | Pentium G3258 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | LGA1150 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | 1333+44333% | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 | 32 GB+209715100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Only the Pentium G3258 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: true (Core i5-2450M) vs VT-x (Pentium G3258). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i5-2450M) and HD Graphics (Pentium G3258) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium G3258 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-2450M rivals AMD A8-3500M.
| Feature | Core i5-2450M | Pentium G3258 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 3000 | HD Graphics |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | VT-x |
| Target Use | — | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-2450M launched at $225 MSRP, while the Pentium G3258 debuted at $75.
| Feature | Core i5-2450M | Pentium G3258 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $225 | $75-67% |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $72 |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2014 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core i5-2450M and Pentium G3258
