Pentium G3250 vs Core i5-655K
Pentium G3250
Core i5-655K
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 G3250 is positioned at rank 967 and the Core i5-655K is on rank 1004, so the Pentium G3250 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Pentium G3250
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-655K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Pentium G3250 | Core i5-655K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($25) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($55) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Pentium G3250 | Core i5-655K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+119%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($25) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($55) |
Performance Check
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 G3250 and Core i5-655K
Pentium G3250
The Pentium G3250 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 July 2014 (11 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: 2,010 points. Launch price was $171.
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 G3250 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-655K's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Pentium G3250 versus 3.46 GHz on the Core i5-655K — a 7.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-655K (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Pentium G3250 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-655K uses Clarkdale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium G3250 scores 2,010 against the Core i5-655K's 2,017 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-655K. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G3250 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i5-655K.
| Feature | Pentium G3250 | Core i5-655K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.2 GHz | 3.46 GHz+8% |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz | 3.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 4 MB (total)+33% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm-31% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Haswell (2013−2015) | Clarkdale (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 2,010 | 2,017 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 560 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,250 |
Memory & Platform
The Pentium G3250 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-655K uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Pentium G3250 | Core i5-655K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1150 | LGA1156 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Pentium G3250) / VT-x (Core i5-655K). The Core i5-655K includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)), while the Pentium G3250 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-655K targets Desktop.
| Feature | Pentium G3250 | 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 G3250 launched at $171 MSRP, while the Core i5-655K debuted at $216. At current prices ($25 vs $55), the Pentium G3250 is $30 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium G3250 delivers 80.4 pts/$ vs 36.7 pts/$ for the Core i5-655K — making the Pentium G3250 the 74.7% better value option.
| Feature | Pentium G3250 | Core i5-655K |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $171-21% | $216 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $25-55% | $55 |
| Performance per Dollar | 80.4+119% | 36.7 |
| Release Date | 2014 | 2010 |
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