Core i7-870S vs Pentium G4500

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 i7-870S vs Pentium G4500 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 i7-870S vs Pentium G4500: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-870S

2010

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,765 vs 2,800).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.2 vs 37.3 PassMark/$ ($300 MSRP vs $75 MSRP).
❌60.8% higher power demand at 82W vs 51W.

Pentium G4500

2015

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $225 less on MSRP ($75 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
✅Delivers 305.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 37.3 vs 9.2 PassMark/$ ($75 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
✅Draws 51W instead of 82W, a 31W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G4500 better than Core i7-870S?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-870S 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 G4500 pulls ahead with 1.3% better PassMark. Core i7-870S also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G4500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium G4500 is the better buy right now. Pentium G4500 comes in $225 cheaper on MSRP at $75 MSRP versus $300 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-870S is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 305.1% better value on MSRP (37.3 vs 9.2 PassMark/$), 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 G4500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-870S vs Pentium G4500 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-870S

The Core i7-870S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 July 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 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: 2,765 points. Launch price was $69.

Pentium G4500

The Pentium G4500 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 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,800 points. Launch price was $82.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-870S packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Pentium G4500 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Core i7-870S has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-870S versus 3.5 GHz on the Pentium G4500 — a 2.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-870S (base: 2.66 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i7-870S uses the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium G4500 uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-870S scores 2,765 against the Pentium G4500's 2,800 — a 1.3% lead for the Pentium G4500. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-870S vs 4 MB (total) on the Pentium G4500.

Feature	Core i7-870S	Pentium G4500
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+3%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.66 GHz	3.5 GHz+32%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+100%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Lynnfield (2009−2010)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	2,765	2,800+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-870S uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium G4500 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-870S	Pentium G4500
Socket	LGA1156	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-870S was priced at $300, while the Pentium G4500 came in at $75. On launch pricing ($300 vs $75), Pentium G4500 was $225 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-870S delivers 9.2 pts/$ vs 37.3 pts/$ for the Pentium G4500 — making the Pentium G4500 the 120.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-870S	Pentium G4500
MSRP	$300	$75-75%
Performance per Dollar	9.2	37.3+305%
Release Date	2010	2015

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