Pentium Dual Core T3400 vs Core i5-655K

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-655K

#1

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

33374%

#2

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

31535%

#3

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

22897%

#4

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

6898%

#5

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

5464%

#6

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

4780%

#7

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

2738%

#8

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

2702%

#9

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

2460%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

2460%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

2432%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

2367%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

2334%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

2324%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

2303%

#1004

Core i5-655K

MSRP: $216|Avg: $55

100%

#1005

Celeron 450

MSRP: $53|Avg: $5

100%

#1006

Core 2 Duo E4600

MSRP: $133|Avg: $9.6

99%

#1008

Core i7-870S

MSRP: $300|Avg: $80

99%

#1009

Core 2 Duo E6540

MSRP: $163|Avg: $15

98%

#1010

Celeron 430

MSRP: $49|Avg: $10

98%

#1011

Athlon X2 BE-2300

MSRP: $100|Avg: $80

97%

#1012

Core i7-875K

MSRP: $353|Avg: $175

96%

#1013

Core i5-670

MSRP: $284|Avg: $100

96%

#1014

Core i5-680

MSRP: $294|Avg: $10

95%

#1015

Core 2 Duo E4300

MSRP: $113|Avg: $5

95%

#1017

Core 2 Duo E4500

MSRP: $133|Avg: $10

94%

#1019

Core 2 Duo E7600

MSRP: $133|Avg: $50

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i5-655K leads in gaming performance. However, the Pentium Dual Core T3400 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.4% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Pentium Dual Core T3400	Core i5-655K
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($89)	✅ More affordable ($55)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (NetBurst (2000−2006) / 65 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i5-655K stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 38% cheaper ($55 vs $89) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Pentium Dual Core T3400	Core i5-655K
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+61%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($89)	✅ More affordable ($55)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Pentium Dual Core T3400 Benchmark Check

Core i5-655K Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Pentium Dual Core T3400 and Core i5-655K

Pentium Dual Core T3400

The Pentium Dual Core T3400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.16 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 2,026 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i5-655K

The Core i5-655K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,017 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Pentium Dual Core T3400 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-655K's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.16 GHz on the Pentium Dual Core T3400 versus 3.46 GHz on the Core i5-655K — a 46.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-655K. The Pentium Dual Core T3400 uses the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i5-655K uses Clarkdale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium Dual Core T3400 scores 2,026 against the Core i5-655K's 2,017 — a 0.4% lead for the Pentium Dual Core T3400.

Feature	Pentium Dual Core T3400	Core i5-655K
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.16 GHz	3.46 GHz+60%
Base Clock	—	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	—	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	65 nm	32 nm-51%
Architecture	NetBurst (2000−2006)	Clarkdale (2010−2011)
PassMark	2,026	2,017
Geekbench 6 Single	—	560
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,250

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium Dual Core T3400 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i5-655K uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium Dual Core T3400	Core i5-655K
Socket	PGA478	LGA1156
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Pentium Dual Core T3400) / VT-x (Core i5-655K). The Core i5-655K includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)), while the Pentium Dual Core T3400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-655K targets Desktop.

Feature	Pentium Dual Core T3400	Core i5-655K
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x
Target Use	—	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

The Pentium Dual Core T3400 launched at $0 MSRP, while the Core i5-655K debuted at $216. At current prices ($89 vs $55), the Core i5-655K is $34 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium Dual Core T3400 delivers 22.8 pts/$ vs 36.7 pts/$ for the Core i5-655K — making the Core i5-655K the 46.8% better value option.