Core i5-7200U vs Pentium Gold G5420T

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 i5-7200U vs Pentium Gold G5420T 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 i5-7200U vs Pentium Gold G5420T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-7200U

2016

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 35W, a 20W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 620, while Pentium Gold G5420T needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,369 vs 3,370).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).

Pentium Gold G5420T

2019

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌133.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7200U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium Gold G5420T better than Core i5-7200U?

Yes. Pentium Gold G5420T is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0% 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 Gold G5420T is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.9% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Gold G5420T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Pentium Gold G5420T still makes the most sense overall. Pentium Gold G5420T comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Pentium Gold G5420T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2016), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-7200U vs Pentium Gold G5420T Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-7200U

The Core i5-7200U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,369 points. Launch price was $281.

Pentium Gold G5420T

The Pentium Gold G5420T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,370 points. Launch price was $64.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-7200U and Pentium Gold G5420T share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-7200U versus 3.2 GHz on the Pentium Gold G5420T — a 3.2% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold G5420T (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-7200U uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium Gold G5420T uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7200U scores 3,369 against the Pentium Gold G5420T's 3,370 — a 0% lead for the Pentium Gold G5420T. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-7200U vs 4 MB on the Pentium Gold G5420T.

Feature	Core i5-7200U	Pentium Gold G5420T
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	3.2 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.2 GHz+28%
L3 Cache	3 MB	4 MB+33%
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
PassMark	3,369	3,370

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-7200U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium Gold G5420T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-7200U	Pentium Gold G5420T
Socket	BGA1356	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-7200U) / not specified (Pentium Gold G5420T). The Core i5-7200U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 620), while the Pentium Gold G5420T requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7200U targets Mobile.