Core M-5Y51 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 M-5Y51 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 M-5Y51 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 M-5Y51

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.2 vs 23.5 PassMark/$ ($281 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
❌848.1% higher power demand at 512W vs 54W.

Pentium G3420

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $195 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
✅Delivers 225.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 23.5 vs 7.2 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
✅Draws 54W instead of 512W, a 458W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,022 vs 2,030).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G3420 better than Core M-5Y51?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium G3420 is ahead with a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core M-5Y51 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Core M-5Y51 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, Core M-5Y51 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% 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 G3420 is the better buy right now. Pentium G3420 comes in $195 cheaper on MSRP at $86 MSRP versus $281 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core M-5Y51 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.4% better PassMark. It is also 225.5% better value on MSRP (23.5 vs 7.2 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core M-5Y51 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2013), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core M-5Y51 vs Pentium G3420 Technical Specifications

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

Core M-5Y51

The Core M-5Y51 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 October 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-Y (2014) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1234. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,030 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.

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Processing Power

The Core M-5Y51 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium G3420's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Core M-5Y51 versus 3.2 GHz on the Pentium G3420 — a 20.7% clock advantage for the Pentium G3420 (base: 1.1 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core M-5Y51 uses the Broadwell-Y (2014) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium G3420 uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core M-5Y51 scores 2,030 against the Pentium G3420's 2,022 — a 0.4% lead for the Core M-5Y51. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core M-5Y51 vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G3420.

Feature	Core M-5Y51	Pentium G3420
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz	3.2 GHz+23%
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	3.2 GHz+191%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)+33%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-Y (2014)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,030	2,022

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Memory & Platform

The Core M-5Y51 uses the FCBGA1234 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium G3420 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core M-5Y51	Pentium G3420
Socket	FCBGA1234	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core M-5Y51 was priced at $281, while the Pentium G3420 came in at $86. On launch pricing ($281 vs $86), Pentium G3420 was $195 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core M-5Y51 delivers 7.2 pts/$ vs 23.5 pts/$ for the Pentium G3420 — making the Pentium G3420 the 106% better value option.

Feature	Core M-5Y51	Pentium G3420
MSRP	$281	$86-69%
Performance per Dollar	7.2	23.5+226%
Release Date	2014	2013

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