Core i7-3517U vs Pentium 4405U

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 i7-3517U vs Pentium 4405U 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 i7-3517U vs Pentium 4405U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-3517U

2012

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4000, while Pentium 4405U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,108 vs 2,122).

Pentium 4405U

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 4 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-3517U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium 4405U better than Core i7-3517U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-3517U is ahead with a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 4405U pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark. Core i7-3517U also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 4405U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium 4405U still makes the most sense overall. Pentium 4405U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark.

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

Pentium 4405U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012) 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 i7-3517U vs Pentium 4405U Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-3517U

The Core i7-3517U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3/L/-RS 1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,108 points. Launch price was $69.

Pentium 4405U

The Pentium 4405U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,122 points. Launch price was $161.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-3517U and Pentium 4405U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i7-3517U versus 2.1 GHz on the Pentium 4405U — a 35.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-3517U (base: 1.9 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i7-3517U uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium 4405U uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3517U scores 2,108 against the Pentium 4405U's 2,122 — a 0.7% lead for the Pentium 4405U. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3517U vs 2 MB on the Pentium 4405U.

Feature	Core i7-3517U	Pentium 4405U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3 GHz+43%	2.1 GHz
Base Clock	1.9 GHz	2.1 GHz+11%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)+100%	2 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	NetBurst (2000−2006)
PassMark	2,108	2,122

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3517U uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium 4405U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-3517U	Pentium 4405U
Socket	BGA1023	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i7-3517U) / not specified (Pentium 4405U). The Core i7-3517U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Pentium 4405U requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-3517U rivals AMD A10-4655M.