What To Know
- The Pentium Gold G6405 has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 58W, while the i3 has a TDP of 65W.
- If you are looking for a budget-friendly CPU for basic tasks such as web browsing, office productivity, and light gaming, the Pentium Gold G6405 is a solid option.
- While the Pentium Gold G6405 is more energy-efficient and budget-friendly, the i3 offers the best value for performance in the budget CPU segment.
The budget CPU market is a fiercely competitive landscape, with Intel and AMD vying for dominance. In this blog post, we delve into a detailed comparison of two popular budget offerings: the Intel Pentium Gold G6405 and the Intel Core i3. We will explore their key features, performance benchmarks, and price points to help you make an informed decision about which CPU is the best fit for your needs.
Core Count and Clock Speed
The Pentium Gold G6405 is a dual-core CPU with a base clock speed of 4.1 GHz and a turbo boost speed of 4.4 GHz. In contrast, the i3 is a quad-core CPU with a base clock speed of 3.6 GHz and a turbo boost speed of 4.3 GHz. The higher core count of the i3 gives it an advantage in multitasking and demanding applications.
Thread Count
Thread count refers to the number of simultaneous tasks a CPU can handle. The Pentium Gold G6405 supports Hyper-Threading, which allows it to simulate two threads per core, resulting in a total of four threads. The i3, on the other hand, supports Hyper-Threading as well, but it has four physical cores, resulting in eight threads. This gives the i3 a significant advantage in multi-threaded workloads such as video editing and rendering.
Cache Size
Cache size is another important factor to consider when comparing CPUs. It refers to the amount of memory that is built into the CPU and used to store frequently accessed data. The Pentium Gold G6405 has a 4MB L3 cache, while the i3 has an 8MB L3 cache. A larger cache size can improve performance by reducing the need to access slower main memory.
Integrated Graphics
Both the Pentium Gold G6405 and the i3 come with integrated graphics. The Pentium Gold G6405 features the Intel UHD Graphics 610, while the i3 has the Intel UHD Graphics 630. The UHD Graphics 630 is slightly more powerful than the UHD Graphics 610, but neither is suitable for gaming or demanding graphics tasks.
Performance Benchmarks
In terms of performance, the i3 consistently outperforms the Pentium Gold G6405 in most benchmarks. In single-core tests, the i3 has a slight edge due to its higher clock speed. However, the i3’s quad-core design and eight threads give it a significant advantage in multi-core tests.
Power Consumption and Thermal Performance
The Pentium Gold G6405 has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 58W, while the i3 has a TDP of 65W. This means that the Pentium Gold G6405 is slightly more energy-efficient than the i3. Both CPUs also come with integrated heat sinks, which are sufficient for most users.
Price Point
The Intel Pentium Gold G6405 is priced at around $60, while the Intel Core i3 is priced at around $120. The i3 offers a significant performance advantage over the Pentium Gold G6405, but it comes at a higher cost.
Which CPU is Right for You?
The choice between the Intel Pentium Gold G6405 and the Intel Core i3 depends on your specific needs and budget. If you are looking for a budget-friendly CPU for basic tasks such as web browsing, office productivity, and light gaming, the Pentium Gold G6405 is a solid option. However, if you need a CPU that can handle more demanding tasks such as video editing, rendering, or multitasking, the i3 is the better choice.
Takeaways: The Budget CPU Champion
In the battle of Intel Pentium Gold G6405 vs i3, the Intel Core i3 emerges as the clear winner. Its quad-core design, eight threads, and higher cache size give it a significant performance advantage over the Pentium Gold G6405. While the Pentium Gold G6405 is more energy-efficient and budget-friendly, the i3 offers the best value for performance in the budget CPU segment.
Information You Need to Know
Q: Which CPU is better for gaming, the Pentium Gold G6405 or the i3?
A: Neither CPU is suitable for gaming. For gaming, you will need a dedicated graphics card.
Q: Can the Pentium Gold G6405 handle video editing?
A: The Pentium Gold G6405 can handle basic video editing, but it may struggle with more demanding projects. The i3 is a better choice for video editing.
Q: Is the i3 worth the extra cost over the Pentium Gold G6405?
A: If you need a CPU that can handle demanding tasks, the i3 is worth the extra cost. However, if you are on a tight budget, the Pentium Gold G6405 is a solid option for basic tasks.
