Intel Core i5-3210M vs Intel Pentium G4400 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark comparisons in the database?

A: The Intel Core i5-3210M wins 5 out of 7 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Pentium G4400 wins 2. The i5-3210M leads in all Cinebench tests, while the Pentium G4400 leads in both Geekbench tests.

Q: How large is the performance gap in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i5-3210M scores 2095 against 1861 for the Pentium G4400, a 12.6% advantage. The same 12.6% delta appears in single-core R23, with scores of 295 and 262 respectively.

Q: What is the most significant single-core difference between the two?

A: In Geekbench single-core, the Pentium G4400 scores 784 versus 587 for the i5-3210M, a 25.1% lead for the Pentium. This is the largest delta in either direction across all recorded tests.

Q: Are both processors in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both sit at the 20th percentile versus all CPUs in the database. Their average benchmark scores are close: 758 for the i5-3210M and 740 for the Pentium G4400.

Q: What are the closest rivals for each processor according to the database?

A: For the i5-3210M, the nearest rival is the Intel Core i3-5020U with an average score of 757 (0.1% delta). For the Pentium G4400, the closest rival is the Intel Core i7-860S with an average score of 740 (0.0% delta).

Q: Which processor has the higher base clock frequency?

A: The Pentium G4400 runs at 3.30 GHz base, while the i5-3210M has a 2.50 GHz base clock but can boost to 3.10 GHz. The Pentium G4400 has no boost clock listed.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations and target different market segments. The Intel Core i5-3210M is a mobile chip built on Ivy Bridge architecture using a 22 nm process node, with a die size of 118 mm². The Pentium G4400 is a desktop chip based on Skylake architecture on a 14 nm process, with a die size of 150 mm² and 1,400 million transistors.

Threading is a key architectural split. The i5-3210M has 2 cores and 4 threads, enabling Hyper-Threading style parallel work. The Pentium G4400 has 2 cores and 2 threads, no simultaneous multithreading. Both share similar per-core cache layouts: 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. The shared L3 cache differs, with the i5-3210M carrying 3 MB and the Pentium G4400 carrying 4 MB.

The integrated graphics solutions differ. The i5-3210M uses Intel HD 4000, while the Pentium G4400 uses Intel HD 510. Neither supports ECC memory. The i5-3210M uses socket G2 (988B) and is listed as a mobile part, while the Pentium G4400 uses socket 1151 and is listed as a desktop part with active production status.

Memory support and I/O show further divergence. The Pentium G4400 explicitly supports DDR3 and DDR4 memory, with a dual-channel bus and 34.1 GB/s memory bandwidth. The i5-3210M lists only dual-channel memory bus without specific memory types. The Pentium G4400 also carries PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), a detail absent from the i5-3210M record.

Release dates place these chips three years apart: the i5-3210M launched in 2012, the Pentium G4400 in 2015. The i5-3210M has no production status listed, while the Pentium G4400 remains active. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite consistently favors the i5-3210M. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-3210M scores 210 against 187 for the Pentium G4400, a 12.3% advantage. The R20 multi-core test shows 879 versus 781, a 12.5% gap. Single-core R20 results follow the same pattern: 123 versus 110, an 11.8% lead for the i5-3210M.

Cinebench R23 confirms the trend with the largest margins. Multi-core R23 gives the i5-3210M 2095 points and the Pentium G4400 1861 points, a 12.6% difference. Single-core R23 shows 295 versus 262, also a 12.6% delta. Across all five Cinebench tests, the i5-3210M holds an advantage between 11.8% and 12.6%.

The Geekbench results flip the script. In Geekbench multi-core, the Pentium G4400 scores 1192 versus 1116 for the i5-3210M, a 6.4% lead for the Pentium. The single-core Geekbench test shows an even larger gap: 784 versus 587, a 25.1% advantage for the Pentium G4400. This is the only test where the delta exceeds 12.6%, and it is the only test where the Pentium wins by double digits.

Looking at the overall averages, the i5-3210M records an average benchmark score of 758, while the Pentium G4400 sits at 740. Both processors land at the 20th percentile versus all CPUs, meaning they occupy similar overall performance tiers despite their test-specific differences.

The nearest rival data adds context. The i5-3210M's closest competitor, the i3-5020U, averages 757 points, just 0.1% behind. The Pentium G4400's nearest rival, the i7-860S, matches at 740 points with a 0.0% delta. Both processors sit within 0.3% of their closest neighbors, indicating tight competition at this performance level.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-3210M | Intel Pentium G4400 |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 2 | 2 |

| Threads | 4 | 2 |

| Base clock | 2.50 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Boost clock | 3.10 GHz | None |

| TDP | 35 W | 51 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket G2 (988B) | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Ivy Bridge | Skylake |

| Process node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Die size | 118 mm² | 150 mm² |

| Transistors | Not listed | 1,400 million |

| L3 cache | 3 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | Not listed | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Memory bandwidth | Not listed | 34.1 GB/s |

| PCIe | Not listed | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Intel HD 4000 | Intel HD 510 |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Production status | Not listed | Active |

| Release date | 2012-05-31 | 2015-08-31 |

| Part number | SR0MZ | SR2DC |

The TDP difference is notable: the i5-3210M draws 35 W, while the Pentium G4400 draws 51 W. The Pentium's higher base clock of 3.30 GHz versus 2.50 GHz partially explains the higher power envelope, but the i5-3210M compensates with a 3.10 GHz boost clock and additional thread support. The Pentium G4400 has more L3 cache (4 MB versus 3 MB), a newer process node (14 nm versus 22 nm), and explicit memory support details that the i5-3210M record lacks.

The Verdict

The data paints a split picture. For Cinebench workloads, the Intel Core i5-3210M is clearly superior, winning every test by at least 11.8% and up to 12.6%. The extra threads and boost clock appear to drive this advantage in rendering and compute-heavy tasks.

For Geekbench-style workloads, the Pentium G4400 takes the lead, particularly in single-core performance where it outperforms the i5-3210M by 25.1%. The Pentium's higher base clock of 3.30 GHz likely contributes to this result, as does the newer Skylake architecture.

The overall averages favor the i5-3210M slightly, with 758 versus 740, a 2.4% difference. Both sit at the same 20th percentile, and both have nearest rivals within 0.3%, so neither is an outlier in its performance class.

The choice depends on workload emphasis. Users running Cinebench-style rendering tasks should prefer the i5-3210M. Users prioritizing Geekbench-style single-threaded responsiveness should lean toward the Pentium G4400. The i5-3210M also offers lower power consumption at 35 W versus 51 W, which matters for mobile use. The Pentium G4400 offers active production status and newer architecture, which may matter for platform longevity.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i5-3210M wins in:

• Cinebench R15 multi-core (210 versus 187, 12.3% ahead)
• Cinebench R20 multi-core (879 versus 781, 12.5% ahead)
• Cinebench R20 single-core (123 versus 110, 11.8% ahead)
• Cinebench R23 multi-core (2095 versus 1861, 12.6% ahead)
• Cinebench R23 single-core (295 versus 262, 12.6% ahead)
• Lower power draw: 35 W TDP versus 51 W TDP
• Threaded workloads: 4 threads versus 2 threads
• Mobile deployments, given its socket G2 and mobile market segment

Intel Pentium G4400 wins in:

• Geekbench multi-core (1192 versus 1116, 6.4% ahead)
• Geekbench single-core (784 versus 587, 25.1% ahead)
• Higher base clock: 3.30 GHz versus 2.50 GHz
• Larger L3 cache: 4 MB versus 3 MB
• Newer process node: 14 nm versus 22 nm
• Explicit memory support for DDR3 and DDR4 with 34.1 GB/s bandwidth
• PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes
• Active production status
• Desktop platform use with socket 1151

The benchmark database records 5 wins for the i5-3210M and 2 for the Pentium G4400, but the magnitude of the Pentium's Geekbench single-core win (25.1%) is the largest single delta recorded. Users should weigh the consistency of the i5-3210M's Cinebench dominance against the Pentium's dramatic single-core Geekbench advantage.