
Pentium G6951 vs Core i3-3217UE

Pentium G6951

Core i3-3217UE
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 G6951 is positioned at rank 892 and the Core i3-3217UE is on rank 1187, so the Pentium G6951 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Pentium G6951
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3217UE
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Pentium G6951 | Core i3-3217UE |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) | ✅ More affordable ($35) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Pentium G6951 | Core i3-3217UE |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+41%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) | ✅ More affordable ($35) |
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.

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Valorant
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Pentium G6951 and Core i3-3217UE

Pentium G6951
The Pentium G6951 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) 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: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,383 points. Launch price was $94.

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 G6951 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-3217UE's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Pentium G6951 versus 1.6 GHz on the Core i3-3217UE — a 54.5% clock advantage for the Pentium G6951. The Pentium G6951 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-3217UE uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium G6951 scores 1,383 against the Core i3-3217UE's 1,362 — a 1.5% lead for the Pentium G6951. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Pentium G6951 | 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 | Clarkdale (2010−2011) | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,383+2% | 1,362 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 353 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 790 |
Memory & Platform
The Pentium G6951 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-3217UE uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Pentium G6951 | Core i3-3217UE |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1156 | 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 G6951) / Yes (Core i3-3217UE). The Core i3-3217UE includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Pentium G6951 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3217UE targets Embedded.
| Feature | Pentium G6951 | 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 G6951 launched at $89 MSRP, while the Core i3-3217UE debuted at $225. At current prices ($50 vs $35), the Core i3-3217UE is $15 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium G6951 delivers 27.7 pts/$ vs 38.9 pts/$ for the Core i3-3217UE — making the Core i3-3217UE the 33.8% better value option.
| Feature | Pentium G6951 | Core i3-3217UE |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $89-60% | $225 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50 | $35-30% |
| Performance per Dollar | 27.7 | 38.9+40% |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2012 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.











