Pentium G840 vs Pentium N3710

Intel

Pentium G840

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2011
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Pentium N3710

4 Cores4 Thrd2 WWMax: 2.56 GHz2016
Similar parts
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Pentium G840 vs Pentium N3710 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 G840 vs Pentium N3710 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 G840 vs Pentium N3710: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium G840

2011

Why buy it

  • Costs $97 less on MSRP ($64 MSRP vs $161 MSRP).
  • Delivers 148.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 21.4 vs 8.6 PassMark/$ ($64 MSRP vs $161 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium N3710 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (1,367 vs 1,386).
  • 3150% higher power demand at 65W vs 2W.

Pentium N3710

2016

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +4.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 2W instead of 65W, a 63W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.6 vs 21.4 PassMark/$ ($161 MSRP vs $64 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium N3710 better than Pentium G840?
Yes. Pentium N3710 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.4% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Pentium N3710 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.4% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium N3710 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Pentium N3710 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium N3710 comes in 151.6% more expensive on MSRP at $161 MSRP versus $64 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium G840 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 148.1% better value on paper (21.4 vs 8.6 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Pentium N3710 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Pentium G840 vs Pentium N3710 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Pentium G840

The Pentium G840 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 22 May 2011 (14 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: 1,367 points. Launch price was $60.

Intel

Pentium N3710

The Pentium N3710 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Braswell (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.56 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,386 points. Launch price was $161.

Processing Power

The Pentium G840 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Pentium N3710 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium N3710 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Pentium G840 versus 2.56 GHz on the Pentium N3710 — a 9% clock advantage for the Pentium G840 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Pentium G840 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium N3710 uses Braswell (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium G840 scores 1,367 against the Pentium N3710's 1,386 — a 1.4% lead for the Pentium N3710. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G840 vs 0 kB on the Pentium N3710.

FeaturePentium G840Pentium N3710
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock
2.8 GHz+9%
2.56 GHz
Base Clock
2.8 GHz+75%
1.6 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)
0 kB
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
2 MB+700%
Process
32 nm
14 nm-56%
Architecture
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Braswell (2015−2016)
PassMark
1,367
1,386+1%
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Memory & Platform

The Pentium G840 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium N3710 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeaturePentium G840Pentium N3710
Socket
LGA1155
FCBGA1170
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
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Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium G840 was priced at $64, while the Pentium N3710 came in at $161. On launch pricing ($64 vs $161), Pentium G840 was $97 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium G840 delivers 21.4 pts/$ vs 8.6 pts/$ for the Pentium N3710 — making the Pentium G840 the 85.1% better value option.

FeaturePentium G840Pentium N3710
MSRP
$64-60%
$161
Performance per Dollar
21.4+149%
8.6
Release Date
2011
2016

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