Intel Core i3-1000NG4 vs Intel Pentium G4600T Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unusually one-sided in this matchup. The Intel Core i3-1000NG4 wins every single recorded Cinebench test, taking all five head-to-head comparisons. The Pentium G4600T does not secure a single victory in any workload, whether multi-core or single-core.

In the multi-core Cinebench R15 test, the Core i3-1000NG4 scores 301 against the Pentium's 262, a 13% advantage. That pattern repeats almost exactly in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Core i3 posts 1255 versus 1092, again a 13% lead. The Cinebench R23 multi-core result shows the same story: 2989 for the Core i3 against 2602 for the Pentium, a 12.9% delta.

Single-core performance tells an identical tale. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Core i3-1000NG4 scores 177 while the Pentium manages 154, a 13% gap. The Cinebench R23 single-core test shows 422 versus 367, also a 13% difference. Across all five benchmarks, the delta hovers tightly between 12.9% and 13%, indicating a consistent, workload-independent performance advantage rather than one that favors specific instructions or thread counts.

The average benchmark score puts the two chips close in the database's overall ranking. The Pentium G4600T averages 895, while the Core i3-1000NG4 averages 881. That is a 1.6% difference in favor of the Pentium, an interesting inversion given the head-to-head sweep. The explanation lies in the broader benchmark suite: the Pentium's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-5300U and AMD PRO A10-8770E, both with identical 895 average scores, while the Core i3-1000NG4 sits alongside the AMD Phenom II X6 1035T and AMD Athlon Silver 7120U at 881. The percentile ranks are nearly identical: 24th for the Pentium versus 23rd for the Core i3. So while the Core i3 wins every Cinebench test, the database's aggregate score treats them as essentially equivalent performers, with the Pentium holding a razor-thin edge in the overall average.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in single-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i3-1000NG4 wins, scoring 422 against the Pentium G4600T's 367. That is a 13% advantage.

Q: How do the two chips compare in multi-core Cinebench R20?

A: The Core i3-1000NG4 scores 1255, while the Pentium G4600T scores 1092. The Core i3 leads by 13%.

Q: Are the average benchmark scores similar?

A: The Pentium G4600T has an average benchmark score of 895, and the Core i3-1000NG4 has 881. That is a 1.6% difference in the Pentium's favor, despite the Core i3 winning all head-to-head Cinebench tests.

Q: What are the nearest rivals for each processor?

A: For the Pentium G4600T, the nearest rivals are the Intel Core i5-5300U and AMD PRO A10-8770E, both with identical average scores of 895, plus the AMD Ryzen 3 3200U at 893 (0.2% behind) and Intel Core i3-6100 at 888 (0.7% behind). For the Core i3-1000NG4, the nearest rivals are the AMD Phenom II X6 1035T and AMD Athlon Silver 7120U, both at 881, with the Intel Core i7-930 at 882 (0.1% ahead) and AMD PRO A12-8870E at 880 (0.1% behind).

Q: Which chip has the higher percentile ranking among all CPUs?

A: The Pentium G4600T sits at the 24th percentile, while the Core i3-1000NG4 sits at the 23rd percentile. The difference is just one percentile point.

Q: Does the Pentium win any head-to-head benchmark?

A: No. The Core i3-1000NG4 wins all five recorded head-to-head tests. The Pentium has zero wins in the head-to-head data.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel microarchitectures and are built for entirely different market segments. The Pentium G4600T is a Kaby Lake desktop part, fabricated on Intel's 14 nm process. The Core i3-1000NG4 is an Ice Lake-Y mobile part, built on the 10 nm node. That process generation gap explains much of the efficiency difference between the two.

The Core i3-1000NG4 has a notably smaller die size at 123 mm², while the Pentium G4600T has no recorded die size in the database. The Core i3 uses the Ice Lake architecture with the Sunny Cove-Y core design, which brings a newer microarchitecture with higher instructions per clock compared to the older Kaby Lake design.

Cache configurations differ meaningfully. The Pentium G4600T has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 3 MB of shared L3. The Core i3-1000NG4 has 80 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The Core i3 has both a larger L1 and a larger L3, which contributes to its consistent performance advantage in the Cinebench tests.

Integrated graphics also diverge. The Pentium carries Intel HD 630 graphics, while the Core i3-1000NG4 features Iris Plus with 48 execution units. The Iris Plus solution is the more capable integrated GPU, though the database does not record direct graphics benchmark comparisons between the two.

The socket and platform are completely different. The Pentium uses Intel Socket 1151, a desktop platform, while the Core i3 uses Intel BGA 1044, a soldered mobile package. PCIe support also differs: the Pentium lists Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Core i3 lists simply Gen 3 without a lane count. The Pentium is a desktop part and remains in active production, while the Core i3 is a mobile part that has reached end-of-life status.

Specification Differences

The two chips differ on nearly every core specification. The Pentium G4600T has a base clock of 3.00 GHz with no boost clock recorded. The Core i3-1000NG4 has a base clock of 1100.00 MHz (1.10 GHz) and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. The Pentium runs at a fixed 3.00 GHz, while the Core i3 relies on boost behavior to reach higher frequencies under load.

Thermal design power is a major differentiator. The Pentium G4600T is rated at 35 watts TDP, while the Core i3-1000NG4 is rated at just 9 watts. That is a 74% reduction in power envelope for the mobile part, which aligns with its Ice Lake-Y positioning for thin-and-light laptops.

Both chips have 2 cores and 4 threads, so the thread count is identical. Both support DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration. The Pentium has a recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the Core i3 has no memory bandwidth figure in the database. Neither supports ECC memory.

The Pentium was released on January 2, 2017, while the Core i3-1000NG4 was released on March 17, 2020, a gap of more than three years. The Pentium's part number is SR35R, and the Core i3's is SRGM9. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, so both are locked for overclocking. Neither has a launch MSRP recorded.

The market segments are opposites: the Pentium is a desktop processor, and the Core i3 is a mobile processor. Production status also differs: the Pentium is listed as active, while the Core i3 is end-of-life.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split decision based on use case. For raw Cinebench performance, the Intel Core i3-1000NG4 is the unambiguous winner. It beats the Pentium G4600T by 13% in every recorded test, covering both single-core and multi-core workloads. The newer Ice Lake architecture, larger cache, and higher boost clock deliver a consistent performance edge in the database's benchmark suite.

However, the aggregate benchmark picture tells a more nuanced story. The Pentium G4600T holds a slightly higher average benchmark score (895 versus 881) and a marginally better percentile rank (24th versus 23rd). The nearest rival lists show both chips surrounded by comparable performers, with the Pentium effectively tied with the Intel Core i5-5300U and AMD PRO A10-8770E, and the Core i3 effectively tied with the AMD Phenom II X6 1035T and AMD Athlon Silver 7120U.

The decisive factors are platform and power. The Pentium G4600T is a desktop part with a 35 watt TDP, a Socket 1151 platform, and active production status. The Core i3-1000NG4 is a mobile part with a 9 watt TDP, a BGA 1044 package, and end-of-life status. Anyone building or upgrading a desktop system should choose the Pentium, not because it is faster in the Cinebench suite, but because it fits a desktop socket and remains in production. Anyone designing or selecting a low-power mobile system should choose the Core i3, which delivers superior Cinebench scores while consuming a fraction of the power.

The choice is not about which chip is "better" in absolute terms. The database shows the Core i3 is faster in every Cinebench test, but the Pentium is the only one of the two that is a viable desktop purchase today. The Core i3's end-of-life status and soldered mobile package make it unsuitable for desktop builders, while the Pentium's 35 watt TDP and desktop socket make it unsuitable for ultraportable designs. The data supports a simple conclusion: pick the platform first, then the chip. For desktop, the Pentium G4600T. For mobile with a performance priority, the Core i3-1000NG4, provided the end-of-life status is acceptable.