Pentium G3258 vs Core 2 Duo SL9600
Pentium G3258
Core 2 Duo SL9600
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 G3258 is positioned at rank 632 and the Core 2 Duo SL9600 is on rank 1177, so the Pentium G3258 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Pentium G3258
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo SL9600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Pentium G3258 | Core 2 Duo SL9600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($72) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($316) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Pentium G3258 | Core 2 Duo SL9600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+341%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($72) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($316) |
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 G3258 and Core 2 Duo SL9600
Pentium G3258
The Pentium G3258 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 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: 2,063 points. Launch price was $77.
Core 2 Duo SL9600
The Core 2 Duo SL9600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 2.13 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,054 points. Launch price was $316.
Processing Power
Both the Pentium G3258 and Core 2 Duo SL9600 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Pentium G3258 versus 2.13 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SL9600 — a 40.2% clock advantage for the Pentium G3258 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.13 GHz). The Pentium G3258 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core 2 Duo SL9600 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium G3258 scores 2,063 against the Core 2 Duo SL9600's 2,054 — a 0.4% lead for the Pentium G3258. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G3258 vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SL9600.
| Feature | Pentium G3258 | Core 2 Duo SL9600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 3.2 GHz+50% | 2.13 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz+50% | 2.13 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 6 MB L2 Cache+100% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 6 MB+2300% |
| Process | 22 nm-51% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Haswell (2013−2015) | Penryn (2008−2011) |
| PassMark | 2,063 | 2,054 |
Memory & Platform
The Pentium G3258 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo SL9600 uses BGA956 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Pentium G3258 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Pentium G3258) vs 0 (Core 2 Duo SL9600) — the Pentium G3258 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Pentium G3258 | Core 2 Duo SL9600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1150 | BGA956 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+173% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB+300% | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Only the Pentium G3258 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x (Pentium G3258) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core 2 Duo SL9600). The Pentium G3258 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics), while the Core 2 Duo SL9600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium G3258 targets Desktop, Core 2 Duo SL9600 targets Mobile.
| Feature | Pentium G3258 | Core 2 Duo SL9600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Desktop | Mobile |
Value Analysis
The Pentium G3258 launched at $75 MSRP, while the Core 2 Duo SL9600 debuted at $316.
| Feature | Pentium G3258 | Core 2 Duo SL9600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $75-76% | $316 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $72 | — |
| Release Date | 2014 | 2009 |
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