CPU
GPU
Pentium G3430
Core 2 Duo SL9400
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 G3430 is positioned at rank 829 and the Core 2 Duo SL9400 is on rank 1147, so the Pentium G3430 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Pentium G3430
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo SL9400
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Pentium G3430 | Core 2 Duo SL9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($30) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($284) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Pentium G3430 | Core 2 Duo SL9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+839%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($30) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($284) |
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 G3430 and Core 2 Duo SL9400
Pentium G3430
The Pentium G3430 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 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 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: 2,127 points. Launch price was $116.
Core 2 Duo SL9400
The Core 2 Duo SL9400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 August 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.86 GHz, with boost up to 1.86 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: 2,144 points. Launch price was $284.
Processing Power
Both the Pentium G3430 and Core 2 Duo SL9400 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Pentium G3430 versus 1.86 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SL9400 — a 55.8% clock advantage for the Pentium G3430 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 1.86 GHz). The Pentium G3430 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core 2 Duo SL9400 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium G3430 scores 2,127 against the Core 2 Duo SL9400's 2,144 — a 0.8% lead for the Core 2 Duo SL9400. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G3430 vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SL9400.
| Feature | Pentium G3430 | Core 2 Duo SL9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 3.3 GHz+77% | 1.86 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.3 GHz+77% | 1.86 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 | 2,127 | 2,144 |
Memory & Platform
The Pentium G3430 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo SL9400 uses BGA956 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Pentium G3430 | Core 2 Duo SL9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1150 | BGA956 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+173% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Pentium G3430) / VT-x (Core 2 Duo SL9400). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo SL9400 targets Mobile.
| Feature | Pentium G3430 | Core 2 Duo SL9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x |
| Target Use | — | Mobile |
Value Analysis
The Pentium G3430 launched at $116 MSRP, while the Core 2 Duo SL9400 debuted at $284.
| Feature | Pentium G3430 | Core 2 Duo SL9400 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $116-59% | $284 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $30 | — |
| Release Date | 2013 | 2008 |
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