Core i5-3450 vs Pentium Gold G6605

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 i5-3450 vs Pentium Gold G6605 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 i5-3450 vs Pentium Gold G6605: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-3450

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅+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 Intel HD Graphics 2500, while Pentium Gold G6605 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $184 MSRP, while Pentium Gold G6605 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌32.8% higher power demand at 77W vs 58W.

Pentium Gold G6605

2021

Why buy it

✅Draws 58W instead of 77W, a 19W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,488 vs 4,517).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-3450 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium Gold G6605 better than Core i5-3450?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium Gold G6605 is ahead with a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3450 pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark. Core i5-3450 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3450 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Pentium Gold G6605 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium Gold G6605 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $184 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-3450 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (24.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 G6605 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-3450 vs Pentium Gold G6605 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-3450

The Core i5-3450 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (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: 4,517 points. Launch price was $186.

Pentium Gold G6605

The Pentium Gold G6605 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 58 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 4,488 points. Launch price was $86.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-3450 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium Gold G6605 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-3450 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-3450 versus 4.3 GHz on the Pentium Gold G6605 — a 20.5% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold G6605 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The Core i5-3450 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium Gold G6605 uses Comet Lake-R (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3450 scores 4,517 against the Pentium Gold G6605's 4,488 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-3450. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-3450 vs 4 MB (total) on the Pentium Gold G6605.

Feature	Core i5-3450	Pentium Gold G6605
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	4.3 GHz+23%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	4.3 GHz+39%
L3 Cache	6144 kB (total)+50%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Comet Lake-R (2021)
PassMark	4,517	4,488

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3450 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium Gold G6605 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3450	Pentium Gold G6605
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1200
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 i5-3450) / not specified (Pentium Gold G6605). The Core i5-3450 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 2500), while the Pentium Gold G6605 requires a dedicated GPU.