Pentium Gold G6405 vs Xeon E3-1220

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 Gold G6405 vs Xeon E3-1220 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 Gold G6405 vs Xeon E3-1220: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium Gold G6405

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 15W instead of 80W, a 65W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,817 vs 3,859).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E3-1220, which brings 4 cores / 4 threads.

Xeon E3-1220

2011

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 4 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium Gold G6405 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌433.3% higher power demand at 80W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium Gold G6405 better than Xeon E3-1220?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1220 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Pentium Gold G6405 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1220 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Pentium Gold G6405 still makes the most sense overall. Pentium Gold G6405 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Pentium Gold G6405 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Pentium Gold G6405 vs Xeon E3-1220 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium Gold G6405

The Pentium Gold G6405 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 3,817 points. Launch price was $64.

Xeon E3-1220

The Xeon E3-1220 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 April 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,859 points. Launch price was $395.

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Processing Power

The Pentium Gold G6405 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E3-1220 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E3-1220 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Pentium Gold G6405 versus 3.4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 — a 18.7% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold G6405 (base: 4.1 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Pentium Gold G6405 uses the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1220 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium Gold G6405 scores 3,817 against the Xeon E3-1220's 3,859 — a 1.1% lead for the Xeon E3-1220. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Pentium Gold G6405 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220.

Feature	Pentium Gold G6405	Xeon E3-1220
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+21%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	4.1 GHz+32%	3.1 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake-R (2021)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	3,817	3,859+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium Gold G6405 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1220 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.