Pentium G640 vs Core i3-3217UE

Pentium G640

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2012

Core i3-3217UE

2 Cores4 Thrd17 WWMax: 1.6 GHz2012

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Pentium G640

2 / 2

1,369

+0.5%

1,362

0.0%

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 G640 is positioned at rank 763 and the Core i3-3217UE is on rank 1187, so the Pentium G640 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Pentium G640

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

14573%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

13770%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

9998%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

3012%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

2386%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

2087%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

1195%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

1180%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1074%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1074%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1062%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1033%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1019%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1015%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1006%

#291

Core i9-7900X

MSRP: $999|Avg: $188

98%

#763

Pentium G640

MSRP: $64|Avg: $5

100%

#764

Pentium G840

MSRP: $64|Avg: $15

100%

#765

Core i5-6440EQ

MSRP: $250|Avg: $150

100%

#767

Core i5-4590T

MSRP: $192|Avg: $130

99%

#769

Celeron G530T

MSRP: $50|Avg: $17

99%

#770

Core i7-4770K

MSRP: $339|Avg: $100

98%

#771

A10-9700

MSRP: $169|Avg: $40

98%

#772

Core i5-2400

MSRP: $184|Avg: $25

98%

#773

Core i7-5775C

MSRP: $366|Avg: $150

98%

#775

Pentium G2140

MSRP: $100|Avg: $95

98%

#776

Core i7-4790T

MSRP: $303|Avg: $102

98%

#777

Core i5-2320

MSRP: $177|Avg: $22

97%

#778

Celeron E3500

MSRP: $62|Avg: $10

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3217UE

#1175

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

4850%

#1176

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

4779%

#1177

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

4387%

#1178

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

4367%

#1179

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

4327%

#1181

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

4179%

#1182

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

4007%

#1183

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

4000%

#1184

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

3893%

#1187

Core i3-3217UE

MSRP: $225|Avg: $35

100%

#1188

Celeron T3000

MSRP: $150|Avg: $54

100%

#1189

Core m7-6Y75

MSRP: $393|Avg: $393

99%

#1190

Core M-5Y10

MSRP: $281|Avg: $20

97%

#1193

Celeron 900

MSRP: $86|Avg: $5

93%

#1194

Pentium T3400

MSRP: $150|Avg: $90

93%

#1195

Core 2 Solo SU3500

MSRP: $262|Avg: $15

93%

#1196

Core 2 Duo E8335

MSRP: $200|Avg: $50

90%

#1199

Celeron 560

MSRP: $89|Avg: $5

88%

#1200

Core i3-2312M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

87%

#1201

Celeron 857

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

87%

#1202

Celeron 925

MSRP: $100|Avg: $100

87%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Pentium G640 delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i3-3217UE in both compute-intensive tasks (0.5% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Pentium G640	Core i3-3217UE
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($5)	⚠️ Higher cost ($35)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Pentium G640 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 86% cheaper ($5 vs $35) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Pentium G640	Core i3-3217UE
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+604%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($5)	⚠️ Higher cost ($35)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Pentium G640 Benchmark Check

Core i3-3217UE Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Pentium G640 and Core i3-3217UE

Pentium G640

The Pentium G640 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,369 points. Launch price was $179.

Core i3-3217UE

The Core i3-3217UE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 August 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 1,362 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Pentium G640 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-3217UE's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Pentium G640 versus 1.6 GHz on the Core i3-3217UE — a 54.5% clock advantage for the Pentium G640. The Pentium G640 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-3217UE uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium G640 scores 1,369 against the Core i3-3217UE's 1,362 — a 0.5% lead for the Pentium G640. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Pentium G640	Core i3-3217UE
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+75%	1.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	—
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	1,369	1,362
Geekbench 6 Single	—	353
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	790

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium G640 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-3217UE uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium G640	Core i3-3217UE
Socket	LGA1155	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	✅
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Pentium G640) / Yes (Core i3-3217UE). The Core i3-3217UE includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Pentium G640 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3217UE targets Embedded.

Feature	Pentium G640	Core i3-3217UE
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	Yes
Target Use	—	Embedded

💰

Value Analysis

The Pentium G640 launched at $64 MSRP, while the Core i3-3217UE debuted at $225. At current prices ($5 vs $35), the Pentium G640 is $30 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium G640 delivers 273.8 pts/$ vs 38.9 pts/$ for the Core i3-3217UE — making the Pentium G640 the 150.2% better value option.