Intel Core i3-7100 vs Intel Pentium G4520 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits cleanly in favor of the Intel Core i3-7100, which records wins in all five head-to-head tests. The i3-7100 takes the multicore Cinebench R15 test with 232 points against 227 for the Pentium G4520, and the margin repeats across newer Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R20 multicore, the i3-7100 scores 970 versus 949, while in R23 multicore it reaches 2310 against 2261. Single-core tests follow the same pattern, with the i3-7100 leading in R20 single-core (136 versus 133) and R23 single-core (326 versus 319).

The Pentium G4520 does not win any of the recorded benchmarks. Its closest recorded result is the Cinebench R15 multicore test, where it trails by just 5 points. That small gap suggests the two chips operate in the same performance neighborhood, but the i3-7100 holds a consistent edge across every workload measured. The database also shows both processors sit at the 21st percentile among all CPUs, meaning neither stands out in the broader desktop landscape. The average benchmark scores reinforce the near-tie: the i3-7100 averages 781 points, while the Pentium G4520 averages 778 points, a difference of only 0.4 percent.

The use-case split is therefore not about one chip being dramatically faster in a specific task. Instead, the i3-7100 wins everywhere, but the margins are narrow. For workloads that rely on multiple threads, the i3-7100's advantage is consistent, around 2.2 percent in Cinebench multicore tests. For single-threaded tasks, the edge is similar, 2.2 to 2.3 percent. The Pentium G4520's role would be for users who need the same socket and power envelope but do not require the extra thread count or higher clock speed.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share a 14 nm production process from Intel, but they come from different architecture generations. The Core i3-7100 uses Kaby Lake, while the Pentium G4520 is built on Skylake. Both are desktop parts on Intel Socket 1151, and both have a 51 watt TDP. The core counts match at two physical cores, but the i3-7100 doubles the thread count to four via Hyper-Threading, while the Pentium G4520 is limited to two threads.

Clock speed differs as well. The i3-7100 has a base clock of 3.90 GHz, and the Pentium G4520 runs at 3.60 GHz. Neither chip has a boost clock, so those base frequencies are the maximum sustained speeds. The i3-7100's higher clock and extra threads explain its benchmark advantage. Cache layouts also diverge: both have 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the i3-7100 shares 3 MB of L3, while the Pentium G4520 has 4 MB of shared L3. Interestingly, the Pentium carries more L3 cache despite being the slower chip in testing.

Memory support differs. The i3-7100 supports DDR4 memory only, with dual-channel bandwidth rated at 38.4 GB/s. The Pentium G4520 supports both DDR3 and DDR4, but its dual-channel bandwidth is lower at 34.1 GB/s. Both chips use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics differ as well: the i3-7100 includes Intel HD 630, while the Pentium G4520 has Intel HD 530. The Pentium's production status remains active, and it carries a larger transistor count of 1,400 million on a 150 mm² die, details not recorded for the i3-7100.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data covers five Cinebench tests, and the i3-7100 wins each one. The smallest margin appears in Cinebench R15 multicore, where the i3-7100 scores 232 and the Pentium G4520 scores 227, a 2.2 percent difference. That test is the oldest in the set, and the gap holds steady in newer versions. Cinebench R20 multicore shows 970 versus 949, again a 2.2 percent delta. Cinebench R23 multicore shows 2310 versus 2261, also 2.2 percent.

Single-core results are nearly identical in relative terms. Cinebench R20 single-core gives the i3-7100 136 points against 133 for the Pentium, a 2.3 percent lead. Cinebench R23 single-core gives 326 versus 319, a 2.2 percent lead. The consistency across versions is striking: regardless of the Cinebench iteration, the i3-7100 maintains a lead of roughly 2.2 percent in both single- and multi-threaded workloads.

The i3-7100 also has recorded Geekbench scores that the Pentium lacks. In Geekbench multicore, the i3-7100 scores 1501, and in single-core it scores 722. The Pentium G4520 has no Geekbench entry in the database, so no direct comparison is possible for that suite. The nearest rival data places the two chips nearly equal. The i3-7100's closest rival list includes the Pentium G4520 with a delta of 0.4 percent, while the Pentium's list includes the i3-7100 with a delta of -0.4 percent. That reciprocal relationship confirms the two are effectively peers in aggregate performance, despite the i3-7100's clean sweep in the head-to-head tests.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i3-7100 has 4 threads, while the Intel Pentium G4520 has 2 threads. Both have 2 physical cores.

Q: How much faster is the i3-7100 in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The i3-7100 scores 2310, and the Pentium G4520 scores 2261, giving the i3-7100 a 2.2 percent lead.

Q: Do both processors use the same socket?

A: Yes, both use Intel Socket 1151, and both have a 51 watt TDP.

Q: What is the clock speed difference?

A: The i3-7100 has a base clock of 3.90 GHz, and the Pentium G4520 has a base clock of 3.60 GHz. Neither has a boost clock.

Q: Which CPU has more L3 cache?

A: The Pentium G4520 has 4 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-7100 has 3 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What memory types does each support?

A: The i3-7100 supports DDR4 only, with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Pentium G4520 supports DDR3 and DDR4, with 34.1 GB/s bandwidth.

Specification Differences

The database records several fields where the two chips differ. The i3-7100 has 4 threads versus 2 threads on the Pentium G4520. Base clock is 3.90 GHz for the i3-7100 and 3.60 GHz for the Pentium. The architecture differs: Kaby Lake for the i3-7100, Skylake for the Pentium. L3 cache is 3 MB shared on the i3-7100, but 4 MB shared on the Pentium. Memory support is DDR4 only for the i3-7100, while the Pentium supports both DDR3 and DDR4. Memory bandwidth is 38.4 GB/s for the i3-7100 and 34.1 GB/s for the Pentium. Integrated graphics differ: Intel HD 630 on the i3-7100, Intel HD 530 on the Pentium. The release dates differ: the i3-7100 launched on 2017-01-02, and the Pentium G4520 launched on 2015-08-31. The Pentium has recorded transistor count and die size (1,400 million transistors, 150 mm²), while those fields are not listed for the i3-7100. Part numbers also differ: SR35C for the i3-7100, SR2HM for the Pentium.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear but modest preference for the Intel Core i3-7100. It wins every head-to-head benchmark, with margins between 2.2 and 2.3 percent across single-core and multicore Cinebench tests. The extra threads and higher clock speed translate into a measurable, though not overwhelming, advantage. Users who run Cinebench or similar multithreaded workloads will see the i3-7100 finish ahead consistently.

The Pentium G4520 is not without merit. It offers more L3 cache (4 MB versus 3 MB), supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, and matches the i3-7100 in TDP and socket. Its aggregate benchmark score sits within 0.4 percent of the i3-7100, so in mixed workloads the difference may be imperceptible. The Pentium also launched earlier, which may matter for systems built around older boards.

The verdict from the recorded data: pick the i3-7100 for its threading advantage and higher clock speed, especially if single-threaded response or multithreaded rendering matters. Pick the Pentium G4520 if the larger L3 cache or broader memory compatibility is more important, or if the existing platform already supports it. Both chips sit at the 21st percentile among all CPUs, so neither offers standout performance in the broader market. The i3-7100 simply does everything a bit better in the tests recorded.