Pentium G2120 vs Pentium G3220

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 G2120 vs Pentium G3220 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 G2120 vs Pentium G3220: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium G2120

2012

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,876 vs 1,885).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.8 vs 34.9 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $54 MSRP).

Pentium G3220

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $32 less on MSRP ($54 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
✅Delivers 60.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 34.9 vs 21.8 PassMark/$ ($54 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
✅Draws 54W instead of 55W, a 1W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G3220 better than Pentium G2120?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium G2120 is ahead with a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G3220 pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G3220 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium G3220 is the better buy right now. Pentium G3220 comes in $32 cheaper on MSRP at $54 MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Pentium G2120 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 60.0% better value on MSRP (34.9 vs 21.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium G3220 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Pentium G2120 vs Pentium G3220 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium G2120

The Pentium G2120 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 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 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,876 points. Launch price was $88.

Pentium G3220

The Pentium G3220 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 GHz, with boost up to 3 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: 1,885 points. Launch price was $71.

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Processing Power

Both the Pentium G2120 and Pentium G3220 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Pentium G2120 versus 3 GHz on the Pentium G3220 — a 3.3% clock advantage for the Pentium G2120 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Pentium G2120 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium G3220 uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium G2120 scores 1,876 against the Pentium G3220's 1,885 — a 0.5% lead for the Pentium G3220. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Pentium G2120	Pentium G3220
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz+3%	3 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+3%	3 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	1,876	1,885

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium G2120 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium G3220 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Pentium G2120 versus DDR3-1333 on the Pentium G3220 — the Pentium G2120 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Pentium G2120	Pentium G3220
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600+20%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge) (Pentium G2120) and HD Graphics (Pentium G3220) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium G2120 targets Desktop, Pentium G3220 targets Desktop.

Feature	Pentium G2120	Pentium G3220
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge)	HD Graphics
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x
Target Use	Desktop	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium G2120 was priced at $86, while the Pentium G3220 came in at $54. On launch pricing ($86 vs $54), Pentium G3220 was $32 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium G2120 delivers 21.8 pts/$ vs 34.9 pts/$ for the Pentium G3220 — making the Pentium G3220 the 46.2% better value option.

Feature	Pentium G2120	Pentium G3220
MSRP	$86	$54-37%
Performance per Dollar	21.8	34.9+60%
Release Date	2012	2013

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