Core i5-4302Y vs Pentium G870

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 i5-4302Y vs Pentium G870 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 i5-4302Y vs Pentium G870: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4302Y

2013

Why buy it

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4200, while Pentium G870 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.

Pentium G870

2012

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,562 vs 1,580).
❌Launch MSRP is still $86 MSRP, while Core i5-4302Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4302Y can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G870 better than Core i5-4302Y?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium G870 is ahead with a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4302Y pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4302Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium G870 is the better buy right now. Pentium G870 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $86 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-4302Y is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.2% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (18.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-4302Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-4302Y vs Pentium G870 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4302Y

The Core i5-4302Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 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 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 11.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,580 points. Launch price was $281.

Pentium G870

The Pentium G870 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,562 points. Launch price was $97.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-4302Y packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium G870's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Core i5-4302Y versus 3.1 GHz on the Pentium G870 — a 29.6% clock advantage for the Pentium G870 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i5-4302Y uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium G870 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4302Y scores 1,580 against the Pentium G870's 1,562 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-4302Y. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-4302Y vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G870.

Feature	Core i5-4302Y	Pentium G870
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz	3.1 GHz+35%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	3.1 GHz+94%
L3 Cache	3 MB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,580+1%	1,562
Geekbench 6 Single	676	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,086	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4302Y uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium G870 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4302Y	Pentium G870
Socket	FCBGA1168	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600 / LPDDR3-1600	—
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 i5-4302Y) / not specified (Pentium G870). The Core i5-4302Y includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4200), while the Pentium G870 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4302Y targets Productivity.