Core i5-2510E vs Pentium G3220

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 i5-2510E vs Pentium G3220 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 i5-2510E vs Pentium G3220: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-2510E

2011

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 54W, a 19W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,884 vs 1,885).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.2 vs 34.9 PassMark/$ ($230 MSRP vs $54 MSRP).

Pentium G3220

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $176 less on MSRP ($54 MSRP vs $230 MSRP).
✅Delivers 326.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 34.9 vs 8.2 PassMark/$ ($54 MSRP vs $230 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌54.3% higher power demand at 54W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G3220 better than Core i5-2510E?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-2510E is ahead with a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G3220 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G3220 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium G3220 is the better buy right now. Pentium G3220 comes in $176 cheaper on MSRP at $54 MSRP versus $230 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-2510E is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 326.2% better value on MSRP (34.9 vs 8.2 PassMark/$), 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 G3220 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-2510E vs Pentium G3220 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-2510E

The Core i5-2510E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 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: 1,884 points. Launch price was $266.

Pentium G3220

The Pentium G3220 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 GHz, with boost up to 3 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: 1,885 points. Launch price was $71.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-2510E packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium G3220's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-2510E versus 3 GHz on the Pentium G3220 — a 3.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-2510E (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-2510E uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium G3220 uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2510E scores 1,884 against the Pentium G3220's 1,885 — a 0.1% lead for the Pentium G3220. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-2510E	Pentium G3220
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz+3%	3 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3 GHz+20%
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	1,884	1,885
Geekbench 6 Single	527	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-2510E uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium G3220 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Pentium G3220 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i5-2510E	Pentium G3220
Socket	PGA988	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	32 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2510E) vs VT-x (Pentium G3220). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 3000 (Core i5-2510E) and HD Graphics (Pentium G3220) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2510E targets Embedded, Pentium G3220 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-2510E rivals Embedded R-Series.

Feature	Core i5-2510E	Pentium G3220
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 3000	HD Graphics
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x
Target Use	Embedded	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-2510E was priced at $230, while the Pentium G3220 came in at $54. On launch pricing ($230 vs $54), Pentium G3220 was $176 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-2510E delivers 8.2 pts/$ vs 34.9 pts/$ for the Pentium G3220 — making the Pentium G3220 the 124% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-2510E	Pentium G3220
MSRP	$230	$54-77%
Performance per Dollar	8.2	34.9+326%
Release Date	2011	2013

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