Core i5-3335S vs Pentium Gold G5420

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 i5-3335S vs Pentium Gold G5420 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 i5-3335S vs Pentium Gold G5420: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-3335S

2012

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,672 vs 3,700).
❌Launch MSRP is still $225 MSRP, while Pentium Gold G5420 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌20.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 54W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Pentium Gold G5420 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Pentium Gold G5420.

Pentium Gold G5420

2019

Why buy it

✅Draws 54W instead of 65W, a 11W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 610, while Core i5-3335S needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-3335S.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium Gold G5420 better than Core i5-3335S?

Yes. Pentium Gold G5420 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.8% 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 G5420 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.0% 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 G5420 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium Gold G5420 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium Gold G5420 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-3335S only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (16.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 G5420 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 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 i5-3335S vs Pentium Gold G5420 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-3335S

The Core i5-3335S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 November 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 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): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,672 points. Launch price was $69.

Pentium Gold G5420

The Pentium Gold G5420 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,700 points. Launch price was $64.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-3335S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium Gold G5420 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-3335S has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-3335S versus 3.8 GHz on the Pentium Gold G5420 — a 17.1% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold G5420 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i5-3335S uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium Gold G5420 uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3335S scores 3,672 against the Pentium Gold G5420's 3,700 — a 0.8% lead for the Pentium Gold G5420. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3335S vs 4 MB on the Pentium Gold G5420.

Feature	Core i5-3335S	Pentium Gold G5420
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.8 GHz+19%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3.8 GHz+41%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)+50%	4 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
PassMark	3,672	3,700
Geekbench 6 Single	—	764
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,515

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3335S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium Gold G5420 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3335S	Pentium Gold G5420
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-3335S) / VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Pentium Gold G5420). The Pentium Gold G5420 includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 610), while the Core i5-3335S requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium Gold G5420 targets Office.