Pentium G3420T vs Phenom II X4 X920 BE

Intel

Pentium G3420T

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2013
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Phenom II X4 X920 BE

4 Cores4 Thrd2 WWMax: 2.3 GHz2010
Similar parts
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Pentium G3420T vs Phenom II X4 X920 BE Performance Spectrum

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 G3420T vs Phenom II X4 X920 BE 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 G3420T vs Phenom II X4 X920 BE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium G3420T

2013

Why buy it

  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics, while Phenom II X4 X920 BE needs a discrete GPU.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Phenom II X4 X920 BE.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,912 vs 1,935).
  • Launch MSRP is still $75 MSRP, while Phenom II X4 X920 BE mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 1650% higher power demand at 35W vs 2W.

Phenom II X4 X920 BE

2010

Why buy it

  • +1.2% higher PassMark.
  • Draws 2W instead of 35W, a 33W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • No integrated graphics, while Pentium G3420T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Pentium G3420T.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G3420T better than Phenom II X4 X920 BE?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium G3420T is ahead with a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X4 X920 BE pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X4 X920 BE is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Pentium G3420T is the better buy right now. Pentium G3420T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $75 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Phenom II X4 X920 BE is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.2% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (25.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 G3420T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Pentium G3420T vs Phenom II X4 X920 BE Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Pentium G3420T

The Pentium G3420T 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 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,912 points. Launch price was $75.

AMD

Phenom II X4 X920 BE

The Phenom II X4 X920 BE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.3 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,935 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

The Pentium G3420T packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Phenom II X4 X920 BE offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X4 X920 BE has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Pentium G3420T versus 2.3 GHz on the Phenom II X4 X920 BE — a 16% clock advantage for the Pentium G3420T. The Pentium G3420T uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Phenom II X4 X920 BE uses Champlain (2010−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium G3420T scores 1,912 against the Phenom II X4 X920 BE's 1,935 — a 1.2% lead for the Phenom II X4 X920 BE.

FeaturePentium G3420TPhenom II X4 X920 BE
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock
2.7 GHz+17%
2.3 GHz
Base Clock
2.7 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
2 MB+700%
Process
22 nm-51%
45 nm
Architecture
Haswell (2013−2015)
Champlain (2010−2011)
PassMark
1,912
1,935+1%
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Memory & Platform

The Pentium G3420T uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X4 X920 BE uses S1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeaturePentium G3420TPhenom II X4 X920 BE
Socket
LGA1150
S1
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Pentium G3420T) / not specified (Phenom II X4 X920 BE). The Pentium G3420T includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Phenom II X4 X920 BE requires a dedicated GPU.

FeaturePentium G3420TPhenom II X4 X920 BE
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d