Pentium 2020M vs Pentium J3710

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.

Pentium 2020M vs Pentium J3710 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.

Pentium 2020M vs Pentium J3710: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium 2020M

2012

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge), while Pentium J3710 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium J3710 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,412 vs 1,420).
❌Launch MSRP is still $134 MSRP, while Pentium J3710 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌7776.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 6.5W.

Pentium J3710

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 7W instead of 512W, a 506W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Pentium 2020M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium J3710 better than Pentium 2020M?

Yes. Pentium J3710 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.6% 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 J3710 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.2% 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 J3710 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium J3710 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium J3710 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium 2020M only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (10.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA988.

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

Pentium J3710 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 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.

Pentium 2020M vs Pentium J3710 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium 2020M

The Pentium 2020M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,412 points. Launch price was $134.

Pentium J3710

The Pentium J3710 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Airmont (2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.64 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 6.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,420 points. Launch price was $161.

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Processing Power

The Pentium 2020M packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Pentium J3710 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium J3710 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Pentium 2020M versus 2.64 GHz on the Pentium J3710 — a 9.5% clock advantage for the Pentium J3710 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Pentium 2020M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium J3710 uses Airmont (2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium 2020M scores 1,412 against the Pentium J3710's 1,420 — a 0.6% lead for the Pentium J3710. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 2020M vs 0 kB on the Pentium J3710.

Feature	Pentium 2020M	Pentium J3710
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	2.64 GHz+10%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+50%	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Airmont (2016)
PassMark	1,412	1,420
Geekbench 6 Single	391	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	667	—

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium 2020M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium J3710 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium 2020M	Pentium J3710
Socket	PGA988	FCBGA1170
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x / EPT (Pentium 2020M) / not specified (Pentium J3710). The Pentium 2020M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge)), while the Pentium J3710 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium 2020M targets Budget.