CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i3-4350 and Intel Pentium G4600 are near-perfect statistical twins in raw compute benchmarks, but the data reveals a consistent, if narrow, edge for the older Haswell part. Across every single tested workload, the Core i3-4350 posts a higher score than the Pentium G4600, yet the largest margin is a mere 0.6%. Both processors occupy the 29th percentile among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are separated by just 2 points (1058 vs 1056). The verdict is not about speed, it is about platform and feature compatibility, where the newer Kaby Lake Pentium offers a distinct generation leap.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are remarkably close, but the Core i3-4350 wins all five head-to-head comparisons. In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, both CPUs score exactly 309 points, resulting in a 0% delta and a nominal win for the i3-4350 due to rounding. The story changes slightly in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i3-4350 scores 1291 against the Pentium’s 1289, a 0.2% advantage. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R23 multi-core: 3076 for the i3-4350 versus 3070 for the Pentium, again a 0.2% delta.

Single-core performance shows the same narrow margin. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i3-4350 scores 182, while the Pentium G4600 scores 181, a 0.6% lead, the largest gap in any test. Cinebench R23 single-core delivers 434 versus 433, another 0.2% delta. The data indicates that the Core i3-4350 is consistently faster, but the differences are within run-to-run noise for most practical purposes. The 0.6% single-core lead is the only test where one processor separates itself by more than a fraction of a percent.

The average benchmark scores reinforce this parity: the i3-4350 averages 1058, placing it exactly level with the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U (0% delta) and just 0.1% ahead of the Intel Core i7-2760QM. The Pentium G4600 averages 1056, which is 0.2% behind the i3-4350 and 0.1% behind the Core i7-2760QM. Both processors are also within 0.3% of the AMD FX-8320E, indicating that this performance tier is crowded with equally matched rivals.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i3-4350 wins all multi-core tests. It scores 309 in Cinebench R15, 1291 in R20, and 3076 in R23, versus the Pentium G4600’s 309, 1289, and 3070 respectively. The largest multi-core delta is 0.2%.

Q: Is there any benchmark where the Pentium G4600 wins?

A: No. The data shows the Pentium G4600 wins zero head-to-head tests. The Core i3-4350 wins all five, with deltas ranging from 0% to 0.6%.

Q: How do these CPUs compare to their nearest rivals?

A: Both sit at the 29th percentile of all CPUs. The i3-4350’s average score of 1058 matches the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U exactly, while the Pentium G4600’s 1056 is 0.2% behind that same rival.

Q: Do the processors support the same memory type?

A: No. The Core i3-4350 supports DDR3 memory, while the Pentium G4600 supports DDR4. The Pentium also has a specified memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, which is not listed for the i3-4350.

Q: What is the difference in integrated graphics?

A: The Core i3-4350 features Intel HD 4600 graphics, while the Pentium G4600 features Intel HD 630 graphics. Both are integrated, but the model numbers indicate different generations of Intel graphics technology.

Q: Are these processors still in production?

A: The Pentium G4600 has an active production status. The production status for the Core i3-4350 is not specified in the data.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different architectural eras. The Core i3-4350 is built on Intel’s Haswell architecture using a 22 nm process node, with a die size of 177 mm² and 1,400 million transistors. The Pentium G4600 is a Kaby Lake part fabricated on a 14 nm node; its transistor count and die size are not listed. This process shrink is the primary architectural shift, the newer 14 nm node allows the Pentium to achieve similar performance at a lower 51 W TDP compared to the i3-4350’s 54 W.

Cache configurations also differ. Both share 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the i3-4350 has 4 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Pentium G4600 has 3 MB. This 1 MB difference in L3 does not translate into a performance advantage in the tested workloads, as the i3-4350’s lead is minimal. The memory controllers are generation-specific: the i3-4350 uses DDR3, while the Pentium G4600 uses DDR4 with a rated bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Pentium also lists PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i3-4350 simply lists PCIe Gen 3 without lane specifics.

The sockets are incompatible: the i3-4350 uses Intel Socket 1150, and the Pentium G4600 uses Intel Socket 1151. This means a motherboard upgrade is required to move between the two, despite their similar performance. The Pentium G4600 has a part number (SR35F) and an active production status, while the i3-4350 lacks both in the data. The integrated graphics differ, HD 4600 on the i3-4350 versus HD 630 on the Pentium, and the Pentium’s graphics are newer. Neither CPU supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear, albeit narrow, winner in raw performance: the Intel Core i3-4350. It wins all five benchmark tests, with a maximum delta of 0.6% in single-core R20. However, a 0.2-0.6% difference in synthetic Cinebench scores is unlikely to be perceptible in real-world applications. The more consequential decision is the platform. The Pentium G4600 offers DDR4 memory support with a specified 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, a smaller 14 nm process node, lower 51 W TDP, and active production status. The i3-4350 counters with 4 MB of L3 cache versus 3 MB, and a 22 nm process.

For a user building a new system today, the Pentium G4600 is the more forward-looking choice due to DDR4 compatibility and active production. For someone already on a Socket 1150 platform with DDR3 memory, the Core i3-4350 provides a statistically faster drop-in upgrade. The benchmark data alone favors the i3-4350, but the architecture and platform advantages of the Pentium G4600 are substantial enough to make it the recommendation for new builds, provided the user accepts its 0.2-0.6% performance deficit.

Specification Differences

• Process Node: Core i3-4350 is 22 nm; Pentium G4600 is 14 nm.
• Transistors: Core i3-4350 has 1,400 million; Pentium G4600 is not listed.
• Die Size: Core i3-4350 is 177 mm²; Pentium G4600 is not listed.
• L3 Cache: Core i3-4350 has 4 MB shared; Pentium G4600 has 3 MB shared.
• Memory Support: Core i3-4350 is DDR3; Pentium G4600 is DDR4.
• Memory Bandwidth: Core i3-4350 is not listed; Pentium G4600 is 38.4 GB/s.
• PCIe: Core i3-4350 is Gen 3; Pentium G4600 is Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only).
• Integrated Graphics: Core i3-4350 is Intel HD 4600; Pentium G4600 is Intel HD 630.
• TDP: Core i3-4350 is 54 W; Pentium G4600 is 51 W.
• Socket: Core i3-4350 is Intel Socket 1150; Pentium G4600 is Intel Socket 1151.
• Production Status: Core i3-4350 is not listed; Pentium G4600 is Active.
• Part Number: Core i3-4350 is not listed; Pentium G4600 is SR35F.

Where Each One Wins

The Core i3-4350 wins in every measured performance category. It leads in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests, and in both R20 and R23 single-core tests. Its strengths are consistent but marginal, making it the pick for users who prioritize the absolute highest benchmark scores on the existing LGA 1150 platform.

The Pentium G4600 wins on platform and efficiency metrics. It offers a 14 nm process node versus 22 nm, which typically translates to better power efficiency, reflected in its 51 W TDP versus 54 W. It supports DDR4 memory with a documented 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, which is a generation newer than the i3-4350’s DDR3. It also has active production status, ensuring continued availability, and a newer integrated graphics solution (HD 630 vs HD 4600). For a new build, the Pentium G4600’s modern memory and process advantages outweigh its 0.2-0.6% benchmark deficit. For an upgrade on an existing Haswell board, the Core i3-4350 is the data-backed choice.