Pentium G2030 vs Ryzen 5 3600

CPU

GPU

Pentium G2030

2 Cores2 Thrd55 WW2013

Similar parts

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Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019

Ryzen family

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Pentium G2030 vs Ryzen 5 3600 Performance Spectrum

Pentium G2030

2 / 2

1,769

0.0%

Pentium Dual-Core E2200

17,685

+899.7%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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.

Pentium G2030 vs Ryzen 5 3600 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 G2030 vs Ryzen 5 3600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium G2030

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $114 less on MSRP ($85 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge GT1), while Ryzen 5 3600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (608 vs 9,500).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 20.8 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($85 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +387.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+966.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Delivers 327.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.9 vs 20.8 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $85 MSRP).
✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
134.1% HIGHER MSRP
$199 MSRPvs$85 MSRP
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Pentium G2030 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3600 better than Pentium G2030?

Yes. Ryzen 5 3600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 387.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1462.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 899.7% higher 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, Ryzen 5 3600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 387.6% 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, Ryzen 5 3600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1462.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 966.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Ryzen 5 3600 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 3600 comes in 134.1% more expensive on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $85 MSRP, and it still gives you a 387.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 327.0% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 20.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen 5 3600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2013), 966.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Pentium G2030 vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium G2030

The Pentium G2030 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency: 3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,769 points. Launch price was $69.

Ryzen 5 3600

The Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,685 points. Launch price was $199.

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Processing Power

The Pentium G2030 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 3600 has 4 more cores. The Ryzen 5 3600 is built on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. In PassMark, the Pentium G2030 scores 1,769 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 163.6% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 608 vs 9,500 (175.9% advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 492 vs 1,295, a 89.9% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 826 vs 1,898 (78.7% advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600). L3 cache: 3 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Pentium G2030 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Pentium G2030	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	—	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.6 GHz+20%
L3 Cache	3 MB Intel® Smart Cache	32 MB (total)+967%
L2 Cache	—	512K (per core)
Process	22 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-68%
Architecture	—	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	1,769	17,685+900%
Cinebench R23 Multi	608	9,500+1463%
Geekbench 6 Single	492	1,295+163%
Geekbench 6 Multi	826	1,898+130%

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium G2030 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Pentium G2030 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 — the Ryzen 5 3600 supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 3600 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Pentium G2030) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H61,B75,H77,Z77,Q77 (Pentium G2030) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).

Feature	Pentium G2030	Ryzen 5 3600
Socket	LGA1155	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR4-3200+100%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	128 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16	24+50%

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Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 3600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x (Pentium G2030) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). The Pentium G2030 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge GT1)), while the Ryzen 5 3600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium G2030 targets Budget, Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Pentium G2030 rivals Core i3-2100; Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

Feature	Pentium G2030	Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge GT1)	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	Yes
Target Use	Budget	Gaming/Budget Workstation

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium G2030 was priced at $85, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($85 vs $199), Pentium G2030 was $114 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium G2030 delivers 20.8 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 124.1% better value option.

Feature	Pentium G2030	Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP	$85-57%	$199
Performance per Dollar	20.8	88.9+327%
Release Date	2013	2019

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