Intel Core i3-10110U vs Intel Pentium Gold G5500 Comparison

The Intel Core i3-10110U and Intel Pentium Gold G5500 are both end-of-life, dual-core, four-thread Intel processors, yet they target entirely different platforms: one is a low-power mobile chip, the other a desktop part. Despite these fundamental differences, their benchmark scores are remarkably close, with the Pentium Gold G5500 edging out a clean sweep in every head-to-head comparison. The data reveals a near-tie in raw compute, but the specification sheets tell a very different story about power, memory, and platform capabilities.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results show a consistent, though narrow, victory for the Intel Pentium Gold G5500 across all five shared tests. The largest margin is a 1.5% lead in multi-core and single-core tests, while the smallest is a 1.2% advantage in the older Cinebench R15 multi-core test. This is not a case of one processor dominating another; rather, it is a case of the desktop part maintaining a slight, uniform edge over the mobile chip in every single metric.

Looking at specific numbers, the Pentium Gold G5500 scores 330 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, compared to the i3-10110U's 326. This 4-point gap translates to a 1.2% difference, essentially a statistical tie in real-world terms. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the G5500 scores 1379 against the i3-10110U's 1359, a 1.5% difference. The most telling results come from the more modern Cinebench R23 test, where the G5500 posts 3285 in multi-core and 463 in single-core, while the i3-10110U manages 3236 and 456 respectively. Again, the delta is a consistent 1.5% in favor of the Pentium.

These margins are so thin that they fall within run-to-run variance for most workloads. The average benchmark score for the i3-10110U is 1131, while the Pentium Gold G5500 sits at 1130, making the i3-10110U technically 0.1% ahead in the aggregate stats. This discrepancy — the Pentium winning every head-to-head test but having a lower average score — occurs because the i3-10110U has additional Geekbench results in its dataset (2143 multi-core, 1174 single-core) that the Pentium Gold G5500 lacks. The practical takeaway is that neither chip holds a meaningful performance advantage over the other in CPU-bound tasks; the data points to a dead heat.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split between these two processors is stark, despite both being built on Intel's 14 nm process node. The i3-10110U belongs to the Comet Lake family, specifically the Comet Lake-U mobile variant, while the Pentium Gold G5500 is from the older Coffee Lake generation. This generational gap explains their different design goals.

The i3-10110U has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, showing a wide dynamic range designed to save power when idle and ramp up for short bursts of work. In contrast, the Pentium Gold G5500 runs at a fixed 3.80 GHz base clock with no boost capability listed. The Pentium compensates for its lower maximum frequency with a constantly high clock speed, but this comes at a massive power cost: the i3-10110U has a 25 W TDP, while the Pentium Gold G5500 draws 54 W. That is more than double the power envelope for a 1.5% performance gain.

Cache configurations are identical: both have 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The memory support diverges, however. The i3-10110U supports both DDR3 and DDR4, while the Pentium Gold G5500 only supports DDR4. The Pentium also lists a dual-channel memory bus with 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth, while the i3-10110U provides no memory bus or bandwidth figures in the data. The Pentium Gold G5500 further differentiates itself with ECC memory support and a PCIe Gen 3, 16-lane interface (CPU only), making it a more capable platform for certain workstation tasks. The i3-10110U lacks both ECC support and any listed PCIe configuration.

The integrated graphics also differ: the i3-10110U features UHD Graphics, while the Pentium Gold G5500 has UHD Graphics 630. The die size for the Pentium is listed at 126 mm², while the i3-10110U's die size is not provided. Finally, the sockets are incompatible: the mobile i3-10110U uses Intel BGA 1440, while the desktop Pentium uses Intel Socket 1151.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the Intel Pentium Gold G5500 wins in every measured CPU test. It takes the edge in Cinebench R15 multi-core (330 vs 326), Cinebench R20 multi-core (1379 vs 1359), Cinebench R20 single-core (194 vs 191), Cinebench R23 multi-core (3285 vs 3236), and Cinebench R23 single-core (463 vs 456). For users who prioritize raw compute performance in applications like video rendering, 3D modeling, or batch photo processing, the Pentium Gold G5500 is the superior choice, albeit by a razor-thin margin.

However, the i3-10110U's wins are not in the benchmark scores but in the platform characteristics. Its 25 W TDP versus the Pentium's 54 W TDP makes it dramatically more power-efficient. For a mobile laptop or an ultra-compact system where heat dissipation and battery life are critical, the i3-10110U is the clear winner. The ability to boost up to 4.10 GHz also gives it a higher peak clock speed, which can be advantageous in short, bursty single-threaded workloads, even if the sustained multi-core tests show the Pentium slightly ahead. The i3-10110U also supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, offering more flexibility in system configuration, whereas the Pentium is locked to DDR4.

The Pentium Gold G5500, on the other hand, wins for desktop users who need a stable, always-on system with constant clock speeds. Its support for ECC memory is a significant feature for entry-level servers or reliability-focused builds. The dual-channel memory bus with 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth also provides a memory throughput advantage over the i3-10110U, which has no listed bandwidth figure. For users building a budget desktop workstation with error-correcting memory, the Pentium is the only option of the two.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Pentium Gold G5500 scores 463 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the Intel Core i3-10110U scores 456, giving the Pentium a 1.5% lead.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i3-10110U has a TDP of 25 W, while the Intel Pentium Gold G5500 has a TDP of 54 W. The Pentium consumes more than double the power of the i3.

Q: Do both processors have the same amount of L3 cache?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i3-10110U and the Intel Pentium Gold G5500 have 4 MB of shared L3 cache. They also both have 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core.

Q: Does the Intel Pentium Gold G5500 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Pentium Gold G5500 has ECC memory support. The Intel Core i3-10110U does not support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Pentium Gold G5500 has a base clock of 3.80 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Core i3-10110U's base clock of 2.10 GHz. However, the i3-10110U has a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, while the Pentium has no listed boost clock.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i3-10110U has an average benchmark score of 1131, while the Intel Pentium Gold G5500 has an average benchmark score of 1130, a difference of 0.1% in favor of the i3.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors:

• Base Clock: The Intel Core i3-10110U has a base clock of 2.10 GHz, while the Intel Pentium Gold G5500 has a base clock of 3.80 GHz.
• Boost Clock: The i3-10110U has a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, while the G5500 has no listed boost clock.
• TDP: The i3-10110U has a TDP of 25 W, while the G5500 has a TDP of 54 W.
• Socket: The i3-10110U uses Intel BGA 1440, while the G5500 uses Intel Socket 1151.
• Architecture / Codename: The i3-10110U is based on Comet Lake (Comet Lake-U), while the G5500 is based on Coffee Lake.
• Die Size: The G5500 has a die size of 126 mm², while the i3-10110U's die size is not listed.
• Memory Support: The i3-10110U supports DDR3 and DDR4, while the G5500 supports only DDR4.
• Memory Bus / Bandwidth: The G5500 has a dual-channel memory bus with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the i3-10110U has no listed values.
• ECC Memory: The G5500 supports ECC memory; the i3-10110U does not.
• PCIe: The G5500 has PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i3-10110U has no listed PCIe configuration.
• Integrated Graphics: The i3-10110U has UHD Graphics, while the G5500 has UHD Graphics 630.
• Market Segment: The i3-10110U is a mobile processor, while the G5500 is a desktop processor.
• Release Date: The i3-10110U was released on 2019-08-20, while the G5500 was released on 2018-04-01.
• Part Number: The G5500 has part number SR3YD, while the i3-10110U has no listed part number.
• Launch MSRP: The G5500 had a launch MSRP of $75. The i3-10110U has no listed launch MSRP.

The Verdict

The benchmark data declares a marginal winner: the Intel Pentium Gold G5500 takes all five head-to-head tests, but the largest margin is 1.5%. This is not a performance class difference; it is a rounding error in most workloads. Both processors sit at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are within 0.1% of each other. For pure CPU compute, either chip will deliver nearly identical results.

The real decision hinges on platform and power. The Intel Core i3-10110U is the only choice for a mobile or ultra-low-power system, given its 25 W TDP and BGA 1440 socket. It offers a higher boost clock of 4.10 GHz and flexible DDR3/DDR4 memory support, making it suitable for thin-and-light laptops where burst performance and power efficiency matter more than sustained throughput.

The Intel Pentium Gold G5500 is the desktop pick, with a 54 W TDP and Socket 1151. It wins on paper in every benchmark and provides crucial features for a budget workstation: ECC memory support, a dual-channel memory bus with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. For users building a low-cost, always-on desktop with error-correcting memory or needing a stable platform for server-like duties, the Pentium Gold G5500 is the clear choice. For everyone else, the performance parity means the decision should be made on form factor, power budget, and platform needs, not on the negligible benchmark differences.