CPU
GPU
Pentium G3430
Phenom II X4 820
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 Phenom II X4 820 is on rank 916, 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 Phenom II X4 820
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Pentium G3430 | Phenom II X4 820 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($30) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Deneb (2009−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Pentium G3430 | Phenom II X4 820 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+68%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($30) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) |
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 Phenom II X4 820
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.
Phenom II X4 820
The Phenom II X4 820 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,114 points. Launch price was $90.
Processing Power
The Pentium G3430 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Phenom II X4 820 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X4 820 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Pentium G3430 versus 2.8 GHz on the Phenom II X4 820 — a 16.4% clock advantage for the Pentium G3430 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Pentium G3430 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Phenom II X4 820 uses Deneb (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium G3430 scores 2,127 against the Phenom II X4 820's 2,114 — a 0.6% lead for the Pentium G3430. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G3430 vs 4 MB (total) on the Phenom II X4 820.
| Feature | Pentium G3430 | Phenom II X4 820 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3.3 GHz+18% | 2.8 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.3 GHz+18% | 2.8 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 4 MB (total)+33% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 512 kB (per core)+100% |
| Process | 22 nm-51% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Haswell (2013−2015) | Deneb (2009−2011) |
| PassMark | 2,127 | 2,114 |
Memory & Platform
The Pentium G3430 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X4 820 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Pentium G3430 | Phenom II X4 820 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1150 | AM3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
Value Analysis
The Pentium G3430 launched at $116 MSRP, while the Phenom II X4 820 debuted at $150. At current prices ($30 vs $50), the Pentium G3430 is $20 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium G3430 delivers 70.9 pts/$ vs 42.3 pts/$ for the Phenom II X4 820 — making the Pentium G3430 the 50.6% better value option.
| Feature | Pentium G3430 | Phenom II X4 820 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $116-23% | $150 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $30-40% | $50 |
| Performance per Dollar | 70.9+68% | 42.3 |
| Release Date | 2013 | 2009 |
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