Pentium G3258

The Pentium G3258 is a 2-core / 2-thread processor based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture, manufactured on a 22 nm process node. It reaches a maximum boost clock of 3.2 GHz from a base frequency of 3.2 GHz— higher boost clocks directly translate to better single-threaded performance and responsiveness in gaming. It carries 3 MB (total) of L3 cache, plus 256 kB (per core) of L2 cache and 64 kB (per core) of L1 cache per core. In the PassMark benchmark (a comprehensive multi-threaded test), it scores 2,063, placing it in the Entry Level performance tier as a Legacy generation product.

The Pentium G3258 fits into the LGA1150 socket and supports PCIe 3.0 with 16 total PCIe lanes for expansion cards and storage. It supports DDR3 memory at speeds up to DDR3-1333 (faster RAM improves bandwidth-sensitive workloads), with a maximum capacity of 32 GB across 2 channels (dual-channel doubles bandwidth). It supports ECC memory, providing error-correcting capabilities — essential for mission-critical workloads and servers. Integrated graphics: HD Graphics — allows display output without a dedicated GPU, useful for troubleshooting and light tasks.

The Pentium G3258 is primarily designed for Desktop. It features an unlocked multiplier, allowing enthusiasts to overclock beyond stock frequencies for additional performance. Virtualization: VT-x — enables running virtual machines efficiently (important for development and server workloads).

The Pentium G3258 has a rated TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 53 Watt — this indicates the amount of heat generated under sustained load and determines what cooling solution is needed.

At an average price of $72 (MSRP: $75), the Pentium G3258 delivers 29 PassMark points per dollar. It currently holds Rank #632 in the overall cost-benefit ranking — this ranking factors in performance-per-dollar relative to all available processors. Performance ranking position: #2559 out of all indexed processors.