Pentium Dual Core T4300
VS
Core i3-3217U

Pentium Dual Core T4300 vs Core i3-3217U

Intel

Pentium Dual Core T4300

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.1 GHz2009
VS
Intel

Core i3-3217U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 1.8 GHz2012

Performance Spectrum - CPU

About PassMark

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. The Pentium Dual Core T4300 is positioned at rank 1127 and the Core i3-3217U is on rank 684, so the Core i3-3217U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

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

Performance Per Dollar Pentium Dual Core T4300

#1115
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
3574%
#1116
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
3521%
#1117
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
3233%
#1118
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
3218%
#1119
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
3189%
#1121
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
3079%
#1122
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
2952%
#1123
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
2948%
#1124
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
2868%
#1127
Pentium Dual Core T4300
MSRP: $150|Avg: $99
100%
#1128
Core i3-4100E
MSRP: $225|Avg: $30
100%
#1129
Core i7-3520M
MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A
100%
#1130
Core i3-2310E
MSRP: $225|Avg: $20
100%
#1131
Core i5-2510E
MSRP: $230|Avg: $30
100%
#1132
Core m5-6Y54
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
99%
#1134
Core i3-2330E
MSRP: $225|Avg: $10
99%
#1135
Core i5-4288U
MSRP: $342|Avg: N/A
95%
#1136
Core m3-6Y30
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
95%
#1137
Core i3-2340UE
MSRP: $200|Avg: $200
94%
#1138
Core i7-2820QM
MSRP: $568|Avg: N/A
94%
#1139
Core i5-520M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
94%
#1141
Celeron 807
MSRP: $70|Avg: $10
93%
#1142
Pentium B950
MSRP: $134|Avg: $35
93%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3217U

#672
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
957%
#673
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
943%
#674
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
866%
#675
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
862%
#676
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
854%
#678
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
825%
#679
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
791%
#680
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
790%
#681
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
768%
#684
Core i3-3217U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#695
Processor N95
MSRP: $160|Avg: $80
98%
#699
Athlon Silver 3050e
MSRP: $100|Avg: $60
97%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Pentium Dual Core T4300 delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i3-3217U in both compute-intensive tasks (0.5% faster) and gaming workloads.
InsightPentium Dual Core T4300Core i3-3217U
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($99)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (NetBurst (2000−2006) / 45 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightPentium Dual Core T4300Core i3-3217U
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($99)
More affordable ($0)

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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Pentium Dual Core T4300 and Core i3-3217U

Intel

Pentium Dual Core T4300

The Pentium Dual Core T4300 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. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: P. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,232 points. Launch price was $69.

Intel

Core i3-3217U

The Core i3-3217U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3/L/-RS 1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,226 points. Launch price was $225.

Processing Power

The Pentium Dual Core T4300 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-3217U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Pentium Dual Core T4300 versus 1.8 GHz on the Core i3-3217U — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Pentium Dual Core T4300 (base: 2.1 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Pentium Dual Core T4300 uses the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-3217U uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium Dual Core T4300 scores 1,232 against the Core i3-3217U's 1,226 — a 0.5% lead for the Pentium Dual Core T4300. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Pentium Dual Core T4300 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3217U.

FeaturePentium Dual Core T4300Core i3-3217U
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 4
Boost Clock
2.1 GHz+17%
1.8 GHz
Base Clock
2.1 GHz+17%
1.8 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
3 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1 MB+300%
256K (per core)
Process
45 nm
22 nm-51%
Architecture
NetBurst (2000−2006)
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark
1,232
1,226
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium Dual Core T4300 uses the P socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i3-3217U uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-800 on the Pentium Dual Core T4300 versus 1600 on the Core i3-3217U — the Core i3-3217U supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-3217U supports up to 32 of RAM compared to 8 GB 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Pentium Dual Core T4300) vs 16 (Core i3-3217U) — the Core i3-3217U offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeaturePentium Dual Core T4300Core i3-3217U
Socket
P
BGA1023
PCIe Generation
PCIe 1.1
PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-800
1600+53233%
Max RAM Capacity
8 GB+26214300%
32
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
0
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: No VT-x (Pentium Dual Core T4300) vs true (Core i3-3217U). The Core i3-3217U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Pentium Dual Core T4300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium Dual Core T4300 targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i3-3217U rivals AMD A6-4455M.

FeaturePentium Dual Core T4300Core i3-3217U
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
No VT-x
true
Target Use
Mobile