Core i5-580M vs Pentium G3250

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 i5-580M vs Pentium G3250 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 i5-580M vs Pentium G3250: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-580M

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 54W, a 19W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics, while Pentium G3250 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,983 vs 2,010).

Pentium G3250

2014

Why buy it

✅+1.4% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $171 MSRP, while Core i5-580M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌54.3% higher power demand at 54W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-580M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G3250 better than Core i5-580M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-580M is ahead with a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G3250 pulls ahead with 1.4% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G3250 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium G3250 is the better buy right now. Pentium G3250 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $171 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-580M is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (11.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 G3250 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2010) 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 i5-580M vs Pentium G3250 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-580M

The Core i5-580M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 3.33 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,983 points. Launch price was $266.

Pentium G3250

The Pentium G3250 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 July 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 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: 2,010 points. Launch price was $171.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-580M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium G3250's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.33 GHz on the Core i5-580M versus 3.2 GHz on the Pentium G3250 — a 4% clock advantage for the Core i5-580M (base: 2.66 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-580M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium G3250 uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-580M scores 1,983 against the Pentium G3250's 2,010 — a 1.4% lead for the Pentium G3250. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-580M	Pentium G3250
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.33 GHz+4%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.66 GHz	3.2 GHz+20%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	1,983	2,010+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	445	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-580M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium G3250 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-580M	Pentium G3250
Socket	PGA988	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-580M) / not specified (Pentium G3250). The Core i5-580M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics), while the Pentium G3250 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-580M targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-580M rivals Phenom II X2 N660.