CPU Comparison

AMD FX-8320E and Intel Pentium G4600 sit at the same 29th percentile among all CPUs, with average benchmark scores of 1059 and 1056 respectively, a near dead heat. The FX-8320E edges ahead by 0.3% in average score, but the Pentium G4600 counters with a far lower 51W TDP versus 95W. This is a clash of two very different design philosophies: an eight-core Piledriver dinosaur versus a modern dual-core Kaby Lake chip. The data shows that while their overall averages align, their strengths and weaknesses are sharply divided by workload type.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking contrast is in single-core performance. The Pentium G4600 delivers a Geekbench single-core score of 437, while the FX-8320E manages only 437, wait, that is not right. The FX-8320E scores 437 in Geekbench single-core, and the Pentium G4600 scores 433 in Cinebench R23 single-core. These are different test suites, so direct comparison is not possible. What can be said is that the Pentium G4600’s single-core results are consistently competitive: it scores 181 in Cinebench R20 single-core and 433 in Cinebench R23 single-core. The FX-8320E’s 437 Geekbench single-core score places it in the same percentile tier as the Pentium G4600, indicating similar per-thread capability despite the Pentium’s higher 3.60 GHz base clock versus the FX’s 3.20 GHz base.

For multi-core workloads, the FX-8320E’s eight physical cores give it a decisive edge. Its Geekbench multicore score of 1681 is substantially higher than any single Cinebench result from the Pentium G4600, though again they are different tests. The Pentium G4600’s best multicore result is 3070 in Cinebench R23, which is a modern test favoring newer architectures. The FX-8320E’s 1681 Geekbench multicore score, while from an older test, reflects the raw thread count advantage, eight threads versus the Pentium’s four. In average benchmark score, the FX-8320E leads by 3 points (1059 vs 1056), a 0.3% delta, which is within noise but consistent across its nearest rivals.

Looking at nearest rivals, the FX-8320E is 0.1% ahead of the Intel Core i3-4350 and AMD Ryzen 5 2500U, 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core i7-2760QM, and 0.2% behind the Intel Core i3-4360. The Pentium G4600 sits 0.1% behind the Core i7-2760QM, 0.2% behind both the Ryzen 5 2500U and Core i3-4350, and 0.3% behind the FX-8320E itself. This tight clustering suggests that neither CPU has a dominant overall position; their differences are workload-specific rather than absolute.

Architecture Differences

The FX-8320E is built on AMD’s Piledriver architecture, codenamed Vishera, using a 32 nm process from GlobalFoundries. It packs 1,200 million transistors on a 315 mm² die. The Pentium G4600 uses Intel’s Kaby Lake architecture on a 14 nm process from Intel’s own foundry; transistor count and die size are not listed. This process node difference is significant, 32 nm versus 14 nm, explaining the Pentium’s much lower 51W TDP versus the FX’s 95W.

Core counts diverge dramatically. The FX-8320E has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the Pentium G4600 has 2 cores and 4 threads (with Hyper-Threading implied by the thread count). Cache hierarchies differ accordingly: the FX-8320E has 384 KB L1, 8 MB L2, and 8 MB shared L3; the Pentium G4600 has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 3 MB shared L3. The FX’s total L3 of 8 MB is over 2.6 times the Pentium’s 3 MB, favoring multi-threaded workloads that thrash the cache.

Memory support is another generational divide. The FX-8320E uses DDR3 with dual-channel support and 29.9 GB/s bandwidth; the Pentium G4600 uses DDR4 with dual-channel support and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, a 28% bandwidth advantage. PCIe also differs: the FX offers Gen 2, while the Pentium provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The FX-8320E has integrated graphics only as a chipset feature on certain motherboards, whereas the Pentium G4600 includes Intel HD 630 graphics on-die. Neither supports ECC memory. The FX-8320E has an unlocked multiplier (overclocking friendly), while the Pentium G4600 is locked.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD FX-8320E has 8 cores and 8 threads; the Intel Pentium G4600 has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The FX-8320E is rated at 95W TDP, while the Pentium G4600 is rated at 51W TDP, the Pentium consumes nearly half the power.

Q: Do they support the same memory type?

A: No. The FX-8320E supports DDR3 with 29.9 GB/s bandwidth; the Pentium G4600 supports DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: The Pentium G4600 includes Intel HD 630 graphics; the FX-8320E relies on a chipset feature for graphics on certain motherboards.

Q: Are either of these CPUs unlocked for overclocking?

A: The FX-8320E has an unlocked multiplier; the Pentium G4600 does not.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The FX-8320E averages 1059, and the Pentium G4600 averages 1056, a 0.3% difference favoring the FX.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD FX-8320E | Intel Pentium G4600 |

|-------|--------------|---------------------|

| Cores | 8 | 2 |

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.00 GHz | None |

| TDP | 95W | 51W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM3+ | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Piledriver | Kaby Lake |

| Process Node | 32 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 1,200 million | Not listed |

| Die Size | 315 mm² | Not listed |

| L1 Cache | 384 KB | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 8 MB | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 3 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 29.9 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 2 | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Chipset feature | Intel HD 630 |

| Release Date | 2014-09-01 | 2017-01-02 |

| Launch MSRP | $147 | Not listed |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split: the FX-8320E wins on raw multi-threaded capability, and the Pentium G4600 wins on efficiency and platform modernity. The FX-8320E’s 8 cores and 8 MB L3 cache make it the better choice for heavily threaded applications where parallel scaling matters. Its 1681 Geekbench multicore score demonstrates this strength. The Pentium G4600, with its 14 nm process, 51W TDP, and DDR4 support, is the superior pick for power-sensitive builds, single-threaded tasks, and systems needing integrated graphics without a discrete card.

For gaming and everyday desktop use, the Pentium G4600’s higher 3.60 GHz base clock and modern Kaby Lake IPC (implied by its competitive single-core scores) make it the more responsive choice, despite having only 2 cores. The FX-8320E’s older Piledriver architecture and 32 nm process mean higher power draw and heat, which the data confirms via TDP. The FX-8320E also lacks integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for any display output, a hidden cost the Pentium avoids.

The 0.3% average score difference is negligible, so the decision rests on workload and platform requirements. If you need eight threads for content creation or heavy multitasking and have an AM3+ motherboard with a discrete GPU, the FX-8320E is the data-backed pick. If you prioritize low power, modern memory, integrated graphics, and a current socket, the Pentium G4600 is the rational choice. The FX-8320E is end-of-life; the Pentium G4600 is active, longevity also favors Intel. The FX-8320E’s launch MSRP was $147, but no pricing data exists for the Pentium G4600, so cost comparisons are not possible from this data.

Where Each One Wins

AMD FX-8320E wins on:

• Multi-threaded performance: 8 cores vs 2, 8 MB L3 vs 3 MB, and a 1681 Geekbench multicore score.
• Overclocking flexibility: unlocked multiplier allows manual tuning.
• Cache capacity: 8 MB L2 and 8 MB L3 provide more headroom for cache-sensitive, parallel workloads.
• Average benchmark score: 1059 vs 1056, a 0.3% lead.

Intel Pentium G4600 wins on:

• Power efficiency: 51W TDP vs 95W, less than 54% of the FX’s power draw.
• Single-thread responsiveness: 3.60 GHz base clock (no boost needed) and modern Kaby Lake architecture yield strong single-core results (433 in Cinebench R23 single-core).
• Memory bandwidth: 38.4 GB/s vs 29.9 GB/s, a 28% advantage for DDR4.
• Platform features: PCIe Gen 3, integrated Intel HD 630 graphics, and active production status.
• Modern manufacturing: 14 nm process vs 32 nm, implying better thermal behavior (though no specific thermal numbers are in the data).

Tie-breaker scenarios:

• For a budget HTPC or office PC needing integrated graphics and low noise, the Pentium G4600 is the only viable option.
• For a home server or rendering rig where thread count trumps everything and a discrete GPU is already present, the FX-8320E’s 8 threads edge out the Pentium’s 4.
• Neither CPU dominates in average score; the data shows they are statistically equivalent overall, so the deciding factors are TDP, memory type, and graphics support, all favoring the Pentium G4600 for most modern use cases.