Pentium Dual Core T3400 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.

Pentium Dual Core T3400 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.

Pentium Dual Core T3400 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.

Pentium Dual Core T3400

2008

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 1W instead of 54W, a 53W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Pentium G3420

2013

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,022 vs 2,026).
❌Launch MSRP is still $86 MSRP, while Pentium Dual Core T3400 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌5300% higher power demand at 54W vs 1W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G3420 better than Pentium Dual Core T3400?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium G3420 is ahead with a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Dual Core T3400 pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Dual Core T3400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium G3420 is the better buy right now. Pentium G3420 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $86 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Pentium Dual Core T3400 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.2% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (23.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 G3420 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2008). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Pentium Dual Core T3400 vs Pentium G3420 Technical Specifications

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

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.

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

Both the Pentium Dual Core T3400 and Pentium G3420 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.16 GHz on the Pentium Dual Core T3400 versus 3.2 GHz on the Pentium G3420 — a 38.8% clock advantage for the Pentium G3420. The Pentium Dual Core T3400 uses the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture (65 nm), while the Pentium G3420 uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium Dual Core T3400 scores 2,026 against the Pentium G3420's 2,022 — a 0.2% lead for the Pentium Dual Core T3400.

Feature	Pentium Dual Core T3400	Pentium G3420
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.16 GHz	3.2 GHz+48%
Base Clock	—	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	—	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	65 nm	22 nm-66%
Architecture	NetBurst (2000−2006)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,026	2,022

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium Dual Core T3400 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium G3420 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium Dual Core T3400	Pentium G3420
Socket	PGA478	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium Dual Core T3400 was priced at $0, while the Pentium G3420 came in at $86. On launch pricing ($0 vs $86), Pentium Dual Core T3400 was $86 cheaper.

Feature	Pentium Dual Core T3400	Pentium G3420
MSRP	$0-100%	$86
Performance per Dollar	—	23.5
Release Date	2008	2013

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