Intel Core i3-8300 vs Intel Pentium Gold G7400E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i3-8300 wins every single recorded comparison against the Intel Pentium Gold G7400E. Across six Cinebench tests, spanning R15, R20, and R23, the i3-8300 maintains a consistent lead, with deltas clustering tightly between 2.6% and 2.7%. This is not a case of one processor dominating in specific workloads; it is a uniform, if modest, advantage across the board.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i3-8300 scores 545 against the G7400E’s 531, a 2.6% margin. The single-core R15 test shows a nearly identical story: 76 points for the i3-8300 versus 74 for the Pentium, a 2.7% edge. Moving to R20, the multicore gap remains at 2.6%, with scores of 2271 and 2213 respectively. The single-core R20 result again lands at 2.6%, with 320 points against 312.

The pattern holds in the more demanding Cinebench R23 workload. The i3-8300 posts 5408 multicore points, while the G7400E manages 5270, another 2.6% difference. In single-core R23, the scores are 763 and 744, again a 2.6% delta. The i3-8300 wins all six head-to-head comparisons; the G7400E records zero victories.

These margins are small but consistent. A 2.6% delta in every multicore test suggests the i3-8300’s four physical cores provide a slight throughput advantage over the G7400E’s two cores with four threads. The fact that single-core tests show the same percentage gap indicates the i3-8300 also holds a small per-thread performance edge, despite the Pentium’s newer architecture.

Looking at broader database context, the i3-8300 sits at the 39th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 1564. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-6600T (average score 1563, delta 0%) and the AMD Ryzen 3 1300X (1562, delta 0.1%). The G7400E, by contrast, lands at the 38th percentile with an average score of 1524, placing it near the Intel Core i5-4670S (1526, delta -0.1%) and the Intel Core i5-7440HQ (1527, delta -0.2%). The i3-8300’s average score is 40 points higher, a gap that aligns with the head-to-head results.

Where Each One Wins

The data shows no workload category where the Pentium Gold G7400E takes the lead. Every recorded benchmark, from single-core to multicore, across all three Cinebench versions, favors the i3-8300. The i3-8300 wins all six comparisons, and the G7400E wins none.

For users prioritizing raw compute throughput, the i3-8300 is the clear choice. Its 4 cores and 4 threads, combined with a 3.70 GHz base clock, deliver consistently higher scores than the G7400E’s 2 cores and 4 threads at 3.60 GHz. In longer rendering or compilation tasks, the i3-8300’s extra physical cores likely contribute to its sustained advantage in multicore tests.

The G7400E, while trailing in every metric, is not without merit. Its 46W TDP is lower than the i3-8300’s 62W, and it supports DDR5 memory, a feature absent from the i3-8300’s DDR4-only specification. For systems where power efficiency or next-generation memory compatibility is the priority, the G7400E offers those advantages, but the performance data clearly favors the i3-8300.

FAQ

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-8300 beat the Pentium Gold G7400E in every benchmark?

A: Yes. The i3-8300 wins all six recorded Cinebench tests (R15, R20, R23, each in multicore and single-core variants). The deltas range from 2.6% to 2.7% in favor of the i3-8300.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest margin is a 2.7% advantage for the i3-8300 in Cinebench R15 single-core (76 points versus 74). All other tests show a 2.6% delta.

Q: How does the Pentium Gold G7400E compare to other CPUs in the database?

A: The G7400E sits at the 38th percentile, with an average benchmark score of 1524. It is closest to the Intel Core i5-4670S (1526, delta -0.1%) and the Intel Core i5-7440HQ (1527, delta -0.2%).

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

A: The i3-8300 has an average benchmark score of 1564, while the G7400E scores 1524. The difference is 40 points.

Q: Does the G7400E offer any advantages in memory support?

A: Yes. The G7400E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the i3-8300 supports only DDR4. The G7400E also has a lower TDP of 46W compared to the i3-8300’s 62W.

Q: Are these processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. Both the i3-8300 and the G7400E have locked multipliers.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several fundamental specifications. The i3-8300 uses 4 cores and 4 threads, while the G7400E uses 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are close, with the i3-8300 at 3.70 GHz and the G7400E at 3.60 GHz. Neither has a boost clock listed in the database.

Thermal design power differs: the i3-8300 is rated at 62W, the G7400E at 46W. Sockets are not compatible: the i3-8300 uses Intel Socket 1151, the G7400E uses Intel Socket 1700. The i3-8300 supports ECC memory; the G7400E does not. PCIe generations also differ, with the i3-8300 offering Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the G7400E offers Gen 5.

Integrated graphics vary: the i3-8300 includes UHD Graphics 630, the G7400E includes UHD Graphics 710. The i3-8300 has a launch MSRP of $138; no launch MSRP is recorded for the G7400E. The i3-8300 is marked end-of-life, while the G7400E is active in production. Release dates differ by nearly four years: the i3-8300 launched in February 2018, the G7400E in January 2022.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two CPUs is significant. The i3-8300 is built on Intel’s Coffee Lake architecture, using a 14 nm process node with a die size of 126 mm². The G7400E uses Alder Lake architecture (specifically Alder Lake-S), on a 10 nm process node; its die size is not recorded in the database.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The i3-8300 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The G7400E has larger per-core caches: 80 KB L1 per core and 1.25 MB L2 per core, but a smaller shared L3 at 6 MB. The G7400E’s per-core L2 is nearly five times larger, yet its total L3 is 2 MB smaller.

Memory support reflects the generational divide. The i3-8300 supports DDR4 only, with dual-channel memory and a recorded bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The G7400E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but its memory bandwidth is not listed in the database. The G7400E also supports PCIe Gen 5, while the i3-8300 is limited to Gen 3.

The i3-8300 belongs to the Core i3 (Coffee Lake) generation; the G7400E belongs to the Pentium Gold (Alder Lake-S) generation. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The i3-8300 carries the part number SR3XY, while no part number is recorded for the G7400E.

The Verdict

The verdict from the recorded data is straightforward: the Intel Core i3-8300 is the faster processor in every measured scenario. It wins all six Cinebench comparisons, with deltas of 2.6% to 2.7%, and holds a higher average benchmark score (1564 versus 1524) and a higher percentile rank (39th versus 38th). Anyone selecting purely on benchmark performance should choose the i3-8300.

The G7400E, however, is not without reasons for selection. Its lower 46W TDP makes it more power-efficient on paper. Its support for DDR5 memory and PCIe Gen 5 positions it for newer system builds. Its Alder Lake architecture and 10 nm process node are more modern than the i3-8300’s Coffee Lake and 14 nm design. For systems where these features matter more than raw Cinebench scores, the G7400E has a role.

But the performance picture is clear: the i3-8300’s four physical cores and higher base clock deliver a consistent, albeit small, lead. The G7400E’s two cores with four threads cannot match that throughput, even with a newer architecture and larger per-core caches. The 2.6% multicore delta across all tests suggests the i3-8300 is the better choice for rendering, encoding, and other multi-threaded workloads.

The i3-8300 is end-of-life and supports only DDR4, which may limit its appeal for new builds. The G7400E is active, supports DDR5, and offers a lower TDP. If the build prioritizes longevity, memory flexibility, or power efficiency, the G7400E is the defensible pick. If the build prioritizes measured compute performance, the i3-8300 wins every recorded benchmark. The data does not support choosing the G7400E on performance grounds, but it does offer a legitimate alternative for efficiency-focused or next-generation systems.