Core i5-4430S vs Pentium Gold G6505

Intel

Core i5-4430S

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2013
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Pentium Gold G6505

2 Cores4 Thrd58 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2021
Similar parts
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Core i5-4430S vs Pentium Gold G6505 Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 i5-4430S vs Pentium Gold G6505 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 i5-4430S vs Pentium Gold G6505: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4430S

2013

Why buy it

  • +0.1% 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 HD Graphics 4600, while Pentium Gold G6505 needs a discrete GPU.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pentium Gold G6505.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $182 MSRP, while Pentium Gold G6505 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Pentium Gold G6505

2021

Why buy it

  • Draws 58W instead of 65W, a 7W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (4,371 vs 4,376).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4430S can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-4430S.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium Gold G6505 better than Core i5-4430S?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium Gold G6505 is ahead with a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4430S pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Core i5-4430S 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 i5-4430S is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% 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 G6505 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium Gold G6505 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-4430S only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2013 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (24.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1150.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Pentium Gold G6505 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-4430S vs Pentium Gold G6505 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-4430S

The Core i5-4430S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,376 points. Launch price was $135.

Intel

Pentium Gold G6505

The Pentium Gold G6505 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 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 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: 4,371 points. Launch price was $75.

Processing Power

The Core i5-4430S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium Gold G6505 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-4430S has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-4430S versus 4.2 GHz on the Pentium Gold G6505 — a 27% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold G6505 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 4.2 GHz). The Core i5-4430S uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium Gold G6505 uses Comet Lake-R (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4430S scores 4,376 against the Pentium Gold G6505's 4,371 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-4430S. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-4430S vs 4 MB (total) on the Pentium Gold G6505.

FeatureCore i5-4430SPentium Gold G6505
Cores / Threads
4 / 4+100%
2 / 4
Boost Clock
3.2 GHz
4.2 GHz+31%
Base Clock
2.7 GHz
4.2 GHz+56%
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
Haswell (2013−2015)
Comet Lake-R (2021)
PassMark
4,376
4,371
Geekbench 6 Single
877
Geekbench 6 Multi
2,397
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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4430S uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium Gold G6505 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-4430SPentium Gold G6505
Socket
LGA1150
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
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-4430S) / not specified (Pentium Gold G6505). The Core i5-4430S includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Pentium Gold G6505 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4430S targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-4430S rivals Ryzen 3 1200.

FeatureCore i5-4430SPentium Gold G6505
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 4600
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Budget