Intel Core i3-5020U vs Intel Pentium G4520 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a consistent pattern of dominance for the Intel Pentium G4520 across every shared benchmark. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Pentium scores 227 against the Core i3-5020U’s 188, a 20.7% advantage. The margin narrows slightly in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Pentium posts 949 versus 787, a 20.6% lead. Both processors were tested under identical workloads, so the gap reflects sustained compute throughput rather than a single outlier result.

Single-core performance tells the same story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Pentium G4520 reaches 133, while the Core i3-5020U manages 110, a 20.9% difference. The Cinebench R23 single-core test shows 319 for the Pentium and 264 for the i3, a 20.8% gap. These results indicate that the Pentium’s higher base clock, 3.60 GHz versus 2.20 GHz, translates directly into faster per-thread execution, which matters for lightly threaded applications and everyday responsiveness.

The multi-core results are particularly telling because the Core i3-5020U has four threads versus the Pentium’s two. Despite having twice the thread count, the i3 still loses by roughly one-fifth across all Cinebench versions. The Pentium wins all five head-to-head benchmarks, with zero victories for the i3. Even in the longest sustained workload, Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Pentium’s 2261 score outpaces the i3’s 1876 by 20.5%. The consistency of the margin, hovering near 20% in every test, suggests a fundamental throughput difference rather than a workload-specific quirk.

When placed against the wider field, the Pentium G4520 holds a 21st percentile rank among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 778. Its nearest rivals include the AMD A10-5800K at an identical 778, the AMD Athlon X4 760K at 777, and the Intel Pentium Silver J5005 at 776. The Core i3-5020U sits at the 20th percentile with an average score of 757. Its closest competitors are the Intel Xeon E5450 at 756, the Intel Core i5-3210M at 758, and the Intel Core i5-4250U at 756. The 21-point gap in average scores between the two processors places them in adjacent performance tiers, though the head-to-head data shows a clear winner in direct comparison.

The Verdict

The data points to one conclusion: the Intel Pentium G4520 is the faster processor in every measured scenario. It wins all five benchmark comparisons with margins between 20.5% and 20.9%. The average benchmark score of 778 versus 757 reinforces this, as does the higher percentile ranking, 21st versus 20th. For users who prioritize raw compute performance, the Pentium G4520 is the straightforward choice.

However, the Core i3-5020U is not without its own strengths, though they do not appear in the benchmark scores. It is a mobile processor with a thermal design power of 15 watts, compared to the Pentium’s 51 watts. This means the i3-5020U produces far less heat and consumes less power, making it suitable for compact laptops where cooling and battery life take precedence over peak performance. The Pentium, being a desktop part, requires a more robust cooling solution and a larger chassis.

The i3-5020U also offers four threads compared to the Pentium’s two, which theoretically improves multitasking in workloads that can use more than two threads. Yet the benchmark data shows that this thread advantage does not overcome the Pentium’s clock speed and architectural efficiency in the tested Cinebench workloads. The i3’s lower base clock of 2.20 GHz is a significant handicap that its extra threads cannot compensate for in these tests.

For a desktop user who wants the fastest possible performance in a Pentium-class processor, the G4520 is the clear pick. For a laptop user who needs a low-power chip that can handle light to moderate tasks, the i3-5020U serves a different purpose, but the performance data does not favor it. The production status also matters: the Pentium is listed as active, while the i3 is end-of-life, suggesting the Pentium remains available for new systems.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel microarchitectures. The Pentium G4520 uses Skylake, built on a 14 nm process, while the Core i3-5020U uses Broadwell, also on a 14 nm process. Both have the same process node, but the transistor counts differ. The Pentium contains 1,400 million transistors on a die size of 150 mm², whereas the i3 has 1,300 million transistors on a much smaller die of 82 mm². This size difference reflects the mobile focus of the i3, which packs fewer transistors into a smaller area.

Cache hierarchies also differ. Both processors have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache is where they diverge: the Pentium has 4 MB shared, while the i3 has 3 MB shared. The extra 1 MB of L3 cache on the Pentium likely contributes to its performance advantage in cache-sensitive workloads, though the benchmark data does not isolate this factor.

The memory support differs as well. The Pentium supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the i3 supports only DDR3. The Pentium’s memory bandwidth is rated at 34.1 GB/s, compared to the i3’s 25.6 GB/s. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the higher bandwidth on the Pentium gives it an edge in memory-intensive tasks. The PCIe support also differs: the Pentium offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the i3 offers Gen 2 with 12 lanes. This affects expansion options and data transfer speeds for connected devices.

Integrated graphics present another distinction. The Pentium uses Intel HD 530, while the i3 uses Intel HD 5500. The benchmark data does not include graphics tests, so no performance comparison is possible here, but the different GPU models indicate a generational shift. The Pentium’s Skylake architecture is newer than the i3’s Broadwell, which may explain some of the performance differences despite the same process node.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The Pentium G4520 has 2 cores and 2 threads, while the Core i3-5020U has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Pentium’s base clock is 3.60 GHz, and the i3’s is 2.20 GHz. Neither processor has a boost clock, so these base clocks represent the maximum sustained frequency.

Thermal design power shows a major split: the Pentium is rated at 51 watts, the i3 at 15 watts. This makes the i3 far more energy-efficient, suitable for fanless or low-noise designs. The sockets differ, with the Pentium using Intel Socket 1151 and the i3 using Intel BGA 1168. The BGA socket is soldered to the motherboard, meaning the i3 is not upgradeable, while the Pentium can be replaced in a desktop board.

The market segments reflect their intended use: the Pentium is a desktop processor, and the i3 is a mobile processor. Release dates are close, with the Pentium launching on August 31, 2015, and the i3 on February 28, 2015. The i3 has a launch MSRP of $281, which can be stated once as a reference point. The production status differs: the Pentium is active, while the i3 is end-of-life.

Memory support, bandwidth, PCIe generation, and integrated graphics all differ as described in the architecture section. The part numbers are SR2HM for the Pentium and SR240 for the i3. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not supported on either.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Pentium G4520 is faster in every multi-core test. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 2261 versus the Core i3-5020U’s 1876, a 20.5% advantage. The same pattern holds in Cinebench R20 multi-core (949 versus 787) and Cinebench R15 multi-core (227 versus 188).

Q: Does the Core i3-5020U’s extra threads help it win any benchmark?

A: No. Despite having 4 threads compared to the Pentium’s 2, the i3-5020U loses all five head-to-head benchmarks. The data shows zero wins for the i3, with margins between 20.5% and 20.9% favoring the Pentium in every test.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The Pentium G4520 has an average benchmark score of 778, while the Core i3-5020U has an average of 757. This puts the Pentium at the 21st percentile of all CPUs and the i3 at the 20th percentile.

Q: Which processor is more power-efficient?

A: The Core i3-5020U has a thermal design power of 15 watts, compared to the Pentium G4520’s 51 watts. This makes the i3 significantly more power-efficient, though it comes at the cost of performance in the recorded benchmarks.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Pentium G4520 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the Core i3-5020U supports only DDR3. The Pentium also has higher memory bandwidth at 34.1 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s for the i3.

Q: Are these processors still in production?

A: The Pentium G4520 is listed as active in production, while the Core i3-5020U is listed as end-of-life. This means the Pentium may still be available for new systems, whereas the i3 is being phased out.

Where Each One Wins

The Pentium G4520 wins in every performance category measured. The benchmark data shows a consistent 20% lead across all Cinebench versions, both single-core and multi-core. This makes it the better choice for desktop users who run CPU-intensive applications such as video encoding, 3D rendering, or software compilation. The higher base clock of 3.60 GHz provides snappy single-threaded performance for everyday tasks like web browsing and office work. The larger L3 cache of 4 MB and higher memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s further support demanding workloads. The Pentium’s support for DDR4 memory gives it a modern upgrade path, and its active production status means it can still be purchased for new builds.

The Core i3-5020U wins in efficiency and mobility, though not in raw performance. Its 15 watt thermal design power makes it ideal for thin-and-light laptops where battery life and heat dissipation are critical. The integrated Intel HD 5500 graphics, while not benchmarked here, may offer adequate performance for basic media playback and light gaming, though no data supports a comparison. The i3’s 4 threads could theoretically improve responsiveness in multitasking scenarios, but the benchmark results show that this does not translate into wins in the tested workloads. The i3’s BGA socket means it is soldered to the motherboard, which suits a fixed laptop configuration. For users who prioritize portability and low power consumption over speed, the i3-5020U has a clear role, but the performance data does not favor it.

In summary, the Pentium G4520 is the superior performer in all recorded benchmarks, making it the pick for desktop users who need speed. The Core i3-5020U is the pick for mobile users who need a low-power chip, accepting a significant performance tradeoff. The data does not show any scenario where the i3 outperforms the Pentium, so the choice comes down to platform and power requirements rather than performance.