Core i5-3330 vs Pentium Gold G6400

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 i5-3330 vs Pentium Gold G6400 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 i5-3330 vs Pentium Gold G6400: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-3330

2012

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 HD Graphics 2500, while Pentium Gold G6400 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pentium Gold G6400.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium Gold G6400 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,100 vs 4,106).
❌Launch MSRP is still $182 MSRP, while Pentium Gold G6400 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌32.8% higher power demand at 77W vs 58W.

Pentium Gold G6400

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 58W instead of 77W, a 19W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-3330 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-3330.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium Gold G6400 better than Core i5-3330?

Yes. Pentium Gold G6400 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.1% 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 Gold G6400 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.5% 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 Gold G6400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium Gold G6400 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium Gold G6400 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-3330 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (22.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Pentium Gold G6400 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-3330 vs Pentium Gold G6400 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-3330

The Core i5-3330 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 77 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,100 points. Launch price was $360.

Pentium Gold G6400

The Pentium Gold G6400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 58 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 4,106 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-3330 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium Gold G6400 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-3330 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-3330 versus 4 GHz on the Pentium Gold G6400 — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold G6400 (base: 3 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Core i5-3330 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium Gold G6400 uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3330 scores 4,100 against the Pentium Gold G6400's 4,106 — a 0.1% lead for the Pentium Gold G6400. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3330 vs 4 MB (total) on the Pentium Gold G6400.

Feature	Core i5-3330	Pentium Gold G6400
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	4 GHz+25%
Base Clock	3 GHz	4 GHz+33%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)+50%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	4,100	4,106
Geekbench 6 Single	600	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3330 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium Gold G6400 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3330	Pentium Gold G6400
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-3330) / not specified (Pentium Gold G6400). The Core i5-3330 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2500), while the Pentium Gold G6400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3330 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-3330 rivals FX-6300.