Intel Core i3-4170T vs Intel Pentium Gold G6505 Comparison

The Intel Pentium Gold G6505 and Intel Core i3-4170T are both dual-core, four-thread desktop processors, yet they represent two distinct eras of Intel design. The G6505, a Comet Lake refresh part, posts an average benchmark score of 1074, placing it in the 30th percentile of all CPUs. The i3-4170T, a Haswell-era part, is functionally its statistical twin, with an average score of 1072 and the same 30th percentile ranking. Despite this near-identical aggregate performance, the head-to-head benchmark data reveals a decisive and consistent victory for the newer Pentium, winning all five comparative tests with margins hovering near 40%. The following analysis breaks down the architectural, specification, and performance differences that define this matchup.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Pentium Gold G6505 scores 3715 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 39.3% higher than the Intel Core i3-4170T’s score of 2667.

Q: What is the difference in their single-core Cinebench R20 performance?

A: The G6505 achieves a single-core score of 220, while the i3-4170T scores 157. This represents a 40.1% advantage for the Pentium Gold part.

Q: Do both processors use the same memory type?

A: No. The Pentium Gold G6505 supports DDR4 memory, whereas the Intel Core i3-4170T supports DDR3 memory. Both utilize a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: What is the TDP (Thermal Design Power) difference between the two?

A: The Pentium Gold G6505 has a TDP of 58 watts, while the Core i3-4170T has a significantly lower TDP of 35 watts.

Q: Are these processors from the same architecture generation?

A: No. The G6505 is based on the Comet Lake architecture (Comet Lake-R codename) built on a 14 nm process, while the i3-4170T is based on the older Haswell architecture built on a 22 nm process.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Pentium Gold G6505 has 4 MB of shared L3 cache, which is 1 MB more than the 3 MB of shared L3 cache found on the Core i3-4170T.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental architectural gap between these two chips is substantial, spanning multiple generations of Intel design. The Pentium Gold G6505 is a Comet Lake-R part, built on Intel’s 14 nm process node. In contrast, the Core i3-4170T is a Haswell part, fabricated on a larger 22 nm process. This process node difference is a primary driver of their disparate power profiles and performance characteristics. The newer 14 nm node allows the G6505 to operate at a significantly higher base clock of 4.20 GHz, compared to the i3-4170T’s 3.20 GHz, while still maintaining a reasonable, albeit higher, power envelope.

The cache hierarchy reveals another key difference. Both processors share a per-core L1 cache of 64 KB and a per-core L2 cache of 256 KB. However, the shared L3 cache differs: the G6505 offers 4 MB, while the i3-4170T provides 3 MB. This additional cache on the Pentium Gold can help reduce memory latency for frequently accessed data. The integrated graphics also differ, with the G6505 featuring UHD Graphics 630 and the i3-4170T using the older Intel HD 4400.

Memory support is a critical architectural divergence. The G6505 is designed for DDR4 memory and has a peak memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The i3-4170T is limited to the older DDR3 standard, with a peak memory bandwidth of only 25.6 GB/s. This memory bandwidth advantage for the Pentium Gold is substantial and contributes directly to its superior performance in memory-sensitive workloads. The G6505 also carries a different socket requirement (Intel Socket 1200) compared to the i3-4170T’s older Intel Socket 1150, meaning they are not platform-compatible.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the benchmark data, the Intel Pentium Gold G6505 wins in every single category where a direct comparison exists. The head-to-head results show a clean sweep, with the G6505 taking all five benchmark tests. This indicates that the G6505 is the unequivocal choice for raw computational performance across both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads. Its higher clock speed and newer architecture give it a definitive edge in all Cinebench rendering tests, which are representative of CPU-intensive tasks like 3D rendering and video encoding.

The Intel Core i3-4170T, while losing all head-to-head benchmarks, has a distinct advantage in power efficiency. Its TDP of 35 watts is significantly lower than the G6505’s 58 watts. This makes the i3-4170T a more suitable candidate for low-power or compact systems where heat dissipation and energy consumption are primary concerns, such as a silent HTPC or a modest home server. However, it is crucial to note that in terms of pure benchmark performance, the data shows no scenario in which the i3-4170T comes out ahead. The G6505 is the superior performer; the i3-4170T’s only "win" is in its power draw, but benchmark results do not capture this as a performance metric.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets for these two processors show clear divergences in nearly every major category. The most obvious difference is the base clock speed: the Pentium Gold G6505 runs at 4.20 GHz, while the Core i3-4170T runs at 3.20 GHz. Neither processor has a boost clock. The TDP also differs significantly, with the G6505 rated at 58 watts and the i3-4170T at a more frugal 35 watts.

The process node is a major point of separation, with the G6505 using a 14 nm process and the i3-4170T using a 22 nm process. This is reflected in the transistor count and die size, which are listed for the i3-4170T (1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die) but are not provided for the G6505. Memory support is another key differentiator: the G6505 uses DDR4 with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the i3-4170T uses DDR3 with a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s.

The integrated graphics units are different models, with the G6505 featuring UHD Graphics 630 and the i3-4170T featuring Intel HD 4400. The sockets are incompatible, with the G6505 using Intel Socket 1200 and the i3-4170T using Intel Socket 1150. Their production statuses also differ: the G6505 is listed as "Active," while the i3-4170T is "End-of-life." The launch MSRP for the G6505 is $75, while no launch MSRP is available for the i3-4170T.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark results are remarkably consistent, showing a uniform performance gap of approximately 39-40% across all tests. This consistency suggests a fundamental clock-speed and IPC advantage for the Pentium Gold G6505 rather than a workload-specific edge.

In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the G6505 scores 374, which is 39.6% higher than the i3-4170T’s score of 268. This test is a strong indicator of multi-threaded rendering performance. The margin is nearly identical in the newer Cinebench R20 multi-core test, where the G6505 scores 1560 against the i3-4170T’s 1120, a 39.3% difference. The trend continues in Cinebench R23 multi-core, with the G6505 achieving 3715 and the i3-4170T scoring 2667, again a 39.3% delta.

Single-core performance shows an even slightly larger gap. In the Cinebench R20 single-core test, the G6505 scores 220, beating the i3-4170T’s 157 by 40.1%. This is the largest margin of victory in the head-to-head set. The Cinebench R23 single-core test reinforces this, with the G6505 scoring 524 and the i3-4170T scoring 376, a 39.4% difference. These single-core results are particularly telling, as they isolate the impact of the G6505’s higher 4.20 GHz clock speed and architectural improvements over the older Haswell design.

The data is unambiguous. With five wins out of five head-to-head comparisons and deltas consistently around 39-40%, the Intel Pentium Gold G6505 is the dominant performer in this matchup. The Intel Core i3-4170T, despite having a near-identical average benchmark score and a lower TDP, simply cannot compete with the newer architecture and higher clock speeds of the Pentium Gold. The performance gap is not marginal; it is a decisive generational leap that leaves the older i3 in the dust for any performance-sensitive task.