Core i5-655K vs Pentium G3420

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 i5-655K vs Pentium G3420 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 i5-655K vs Pentium G3420: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-655K

2010

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Westmere), while Pentium G3420 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,017 vs 2,022).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.3 vs 23.5 PassMark/$ ($216 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
❌35.2% higher power demand at 73W vs 54W.

Pentium G3420

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $130 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $216 MSRP).
✅Delivers 151.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 23.5 vs 9.3 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $216 MSRP).
✅Draws 54W instead of 73W, a 19W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-655K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G3420 better than Core i5-655K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-655K is ahead with a 2.9% average FPS lead across 36 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G3420 pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark. Core i5-655K also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G3420 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium G3420 is the better buy right now. Pentium G3420 comes in $130 cheaper on MSRP at $86 MSRP versus $216 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-655K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.9% average FPS lead across 36 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 151.8% better value on MSRP (23.5 vs 9.3 PassMark/$), 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 G3420 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 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 i5-655K vs Pentium G3420 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-655K

The Core i5-655K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,017 points. Launch price was $69.

Pentium G3420

The Pentium G3420 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 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: 2,022 points. Launch price was $252.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-655K packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium G3420's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.46 GHz on the Core i5-655K versus 3.2 GHz on the Pentium G3420 — a 7.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-655K (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-655K uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium G3420 uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-655K scores 2,017 against the Pentium G3420's 2,022 — a 0.2% lead for the Pentium G3420. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i5-655K vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G3420.

Feature	Core i5-655K	Pentium G3420
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.46 GHz+8%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)+33%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Clarkdale (2010−2011)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,017	2,022
Geekbench 6 Single	560	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,250	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-655K uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium G3420 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-655K	Pentium G3420
Socket	LGA1156	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core i5-655K) / not specified (Pentium G3420). The Core i5-655K includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)), while the Pentium G3420 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-655K targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-655K	Pentium G3420
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-655K was priced at $216, while the Pentium G3420 came in at $86. On launch pricing ($216 vs $86), Pentium G3420 was $130 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-655K delivers 9.3 pts/$ vs 23.5 pts/$ for the Pentium G3420 — making the Pentium G3420 the 86.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-655K	Pentium G3420
MSRP	$216	$86-60%
Performance per Dollar	9.3	23.5+153%
Release Date	2010	2013

Search Core i5-655K on Amazon

Search Pentium G3420 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.