Core i5-4200U vs Pentium G3450

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 i5-4200U vs Pentium G3450 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 i5-4200U vs Pentium G3450: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4200U

2013

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4400, while Pentium G3450 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,176 vs 2,182).
❌848.1% higher power demand at 512W vs 54W.

Pentium G3450

2014

Why buy it

✅Draws 54W instead of 512W, a 458W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $82 MSRP, while Core i5-4200U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4200U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G3450 better than Core i5-4200U?

Yes. Pentium G3450 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 29 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% 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 G3450 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.0% more average FPS across 29 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G3450 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium G3450 is the better buy right now. Pentium G3450 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $82 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 29 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (26.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 G3450 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2013) 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 i5-4200U vs Pentium G3450 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4200U

The Core i5-4200U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,176 points. Launch price was $69.

Pentium G3450

The Pentium G3450 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 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: 2,182 points. Launch price was $175.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-4200U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium G3450's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Core i5-4200U versus 3.3 GHz on the Pentium G3450 — a 23.7% clock advantage for the Pentium G3450 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). Both are built on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-4200U scores 2,176 against the Pentium G3450's 2,182 — a 0.3% lead for the Pentium G3450. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-4200U	Pentium G3450
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz	3.3 GHz+27%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	3.4 GHz+112%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,176	2,182
Geekbench 6 Single	733	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4200U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium G3450 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4200U	Pentium G3450
Socket	FCBGA1168	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-4200U) / not specified (Pentium G3450). The Core i5-4200U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4400), while the Pentium G3450 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4200U targets Thin & Light Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-4200U rivals A6-5350M.