Core i7-860S vs Pentium G4400T

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 i7-860S vs Pentium G4400T 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 i7-860S vs Pentium G4400T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-860S

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pentium G4400T.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.8 vs 36.3 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $64 MSRP).
❌134.3% higher power demand at 82W vs 35W.

Pentium G4400T

2015

Why buy it

✅Costs $235 less on MSRP ($64 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅Delivers 367.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 36.3 vs 7.8 PassMark/$ ($64 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 82W, a 47W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-860S across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,323 vs 2,324).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-860S.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-860S better than Pentium G4400T?

Yes. Core i7-860S is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-860S is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.5% 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, Core i7-860S is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Core i7-860S is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-860S comes in 367.2% more expensive on MSRP at $299 MSRP versus $64 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium G4400T only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 367.0% better value on paper (36.3 vs 7.8 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

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

Pentium G4400T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-860S vs Pentium G4400T Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-860S

The Core i7-860S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 82 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,324 points. Launch price was $422.

Pentium G4400T

The Pentium G4400T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,323 points. Launch price was $64.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-860S packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Pentium G4400T offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Core i7-860S has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.46 GHz on the Core i7-860S versus 2.9 GHz on the Pentium G4400T — a 17.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-860S (base: 2.53 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i7-860S uses the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium G4400T uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-860S scores 2,324 against the Pentium G4400T's 2,323 — a 0% lead for the Core i7-860S. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-860S vs 3 MB on the Pentium G4400T.

Feature	Core i7-860S	Pentium G4400T
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.46 GHz+19%	2.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.53 GHz	2.9 GHz+15%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+167%	3 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Lynnfield (2009−2010)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	2,324	2,323
Geekbench 6 Single	451	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,332	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-860S uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium G4400T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-860S	Pentium G4400T
Socket	LGA1156	LGA1151
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	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Core i7-860S) / not specified (Pentium G4400T).

Feature	Core i7-860S	Pentium G4400T
Integrated GPU	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	Yes	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-860S was priced at $299, while the Pentium G4400T came in at $64. On launch pricing ($299 vs $64), Pentium G4400T was $235 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-860S delivers 7.8 pts/$ vs 36.3 pts/$ for the Pentium G4400T — making the Pentium G4400T the 129.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-860S	Pentium G4400T
MSRP	$299	$64-79%
Performance per Dollar	7.8	36.3+365%
Release Date	2010	2015

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