Pentium Gold G5420T vs Core i7-960

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.

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

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-960

#1

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

28338%

#2

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

26776%

#3

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

19442%

#4

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

5857%

#5

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

4639%

#6

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

4059%

#7

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

2325%

#8

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

2294%

#9

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

2089%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

2089%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

2065%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

2010%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1982%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1974%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1956%

#978

E1-1500

MSRP: $60|Avg: $10

100%

#979

Core i7-960

MSRP: $309|Avg: $110

100%

#980

Core i5-2405S

MSRP: $309|Avg: $120

100%

#981

Celeron 420

MSRP: $39|Avg: $15

99%

#982

Athlon II X4 615e

MSRP: $186|Avg: $30

99%

#983

Athlon X2 BE-2350

MSRP: $90|Avg: $10

98%

#984

Core 2 Quad Q8300

MSRP: $179|Avg: $10

97%

#985

Core i7-860

MSRP: $284|Avg: $30

96%

#986

Core i7-870

MSRP: $300|Avg: $80

96%

#987

Athlon 64 X2 5000+

MSRP: $136|Avg: $42

95%

#988

Core i3-6102E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $35

95%

#989

Pentium Dual-Core E2160

MSRP: $84|Avg: $5

95%

#990

Pentium Dual-Core E2210

MSRP: $98|Avg: $15

93%

#991

Core 2 Duo E7500

MSRP: $113|Avg: $10

93%

#992

Core 2 Quad Q9505

MSRP: $213|Avg: $150

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Pentium Gold G5420T (2019) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4-2400, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Pentium Gold G5420T	Core i7-960
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($110)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Bloomfield (2008−2010) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-960 (2009) relies on 45 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Pentium Gold G5420T	Core i7-960
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($110)

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 Gold G5420T Benchmark Check

Core i7-960 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Pentium Gold G5420T and Core i7-960

Pentium Gold G5420T

The Pentium Gold G5420T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,370 points. Launch price was $64.

Core i7-960

The Core i7-960 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 October 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,400 points. Launch price was $316.

⚡

Processing Power

The Pentium Gold G5420T packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-960 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-960 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Pentium Gold G5420T versus 3.46 GHz on the Core i7-960 — a 7.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-960 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Pentium Gold G5420T uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-960 uses Bloomfield (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium Gold G5420T scores 3,370 against the Core i7-960's 3,400 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i7-960. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Pentium Gold G5420T vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-960.

Feature	Pentium Gold G5420T	Core i7-960
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.46 GHz+8%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB	8 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Bloomfield (2008−2010)
PassMark	3,370	3,400

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium Gold G5420T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-960 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.