Core i5-3320M vs Pentium G4520

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 i5-3320M vs Pentium G4520 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 i5-3320M vs Pentium G4520: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-3320M

2012

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4000, while Pentium G4520 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium G4520 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,660 vs 2,670).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.8 vs 31.0 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
❌903.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 51W.

Pentium G4520

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Costs $139 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Delivers 162.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 31.0 vs 11.8 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Draws 51W instead of 512W, a 461W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-3320M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G4520 better than Core i5-3320M?

Yes. Pentium G4520 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium G4520 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G4520 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Pentium G4520 is the better buy right now. Pentium G4520 comes in $139 cheaper on MSRP at $86 MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 162.6% better value on MSRP (31.0 vs 11.8 PassMark/$), 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 G4520 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB), 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 i5-3320M vs Pentium G4520 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-3320M

The Core i5-3320M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,660 points. Launch price was $225.

Pentium G4520

The Pentium G4520 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,670 points. Launch price was $93.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-3320M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium G4520's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-3320M versus 3.6 GHz on the Pentium G4520 — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Pentium G4520 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-3320M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium G4520 uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3320M scores 2,660 against the Pentium G4520's 2,670 — a 0.4% lead for the Pentium G4520. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3320M vs 4 MB (total) on the Pentium G4520.

Feature	Core i5-3320M	Pentium G4520
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	3.6 GHz+9%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3.6 GHz+38%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	2,660	2,670

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3320M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium G4520 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3320M	Pentium G4520
Socket	PGA988	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i5-3320M) / not specified (Pentium G4520). The Core i5-3320M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Pentium G4520 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-3320M rivals AMD A10-4600M.

Feature	Core i5-3320M	Pentium G4520
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 4000	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-3320M was priced at $225, while the Pentium G4520 came in at $86. On launch pricing ($225 vs $86), Pentium G4520 was $139 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3320M delivers 11.8 pts/$ vs 31.0 pts/$ for the Pentium G4520 — making the Pentium G4520 the 89.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-3320M	Pentium G4520
MSRP	$225	$86-62%
Performance per Dollar	11.8	31.0+163%
Release Date	2012	2015

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