Intel Core i5-3210M vs Intel Pentium G4520 Comparison

The Intel Pentium G4520 and the Intel Core i5-3210M represent two very different approaches to dual-core computing. One is a modern desktop part built for raw clock speed, while the other is an older mobile chip relying on hyper-threading to handle more tasks. The benchmark data is clear: the Pentium G4520 wins every single head-to-head test, making it the superior performer in this matchup. However, the Core i5-3210M still holds relevance in its specific mobile context, where its lower power draw matters more than raw speed.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Pentium G4520 wins in every measurable category in this comparison. Out of the five head-to-head benchmark tests recorded in the database, the Pentium G4520 claims victory in all five, while the Core i5-3210M records zero wins. This is a clean sweep, not a marginal one. The Pentium’s advantage stems from its significantly higher base clock speed of 3.60 GHz, which allows it to outpace the Core i5-3210M’s 2.50 GHz base clock in all single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads.

The Core i5-3210M does have the advantage of four threads versus the Pentium’s two, which could theoretically help in heavily parallelized scenarios. However, the recorded Cinebench scores show that this hyper-threading benefit does not translate into a win. The Pentium G4520’s clock speed advantage is simply too large to overcome. Where the Core i5-3210M does win is in power efficiency, with a 35 W TDP compared to the Pentium’s 51 W. This makes the mobile chip more suitable for laptops and other power-constrained environments, but it does not help it win any benchmark comparisons.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on entirely different architectural foundations. The Intel Pentium G4520 uses the Skylake architecture, manufactured on a 14 nm process node. It has a die size of 150 mm² and contains 1,400 million transistors. The Core i5-3210M, on the other hand, uses the older Ivy Bridge architecture, built on a 22 nm process. Its die size is smaller at 118 mm², and the database does not record a transistor count for this chip.

Cache configurations also differ between the two. Both share a similar L1 and L2 cache layout, with 64 KB per core and 256 KB per core respectively. The L3 cache, however, favors the Pentium G4520, which offers 4 MB shared while the Core i5-3210M provides only 3 MB shared. This additional cache can help the Pentium keep more frequently accessed data closer to the cores, contributing to its performance edge.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The Pentium G4520 includes Intel HD 530, while the Core i5-3210M comes with Intel HD 4000. The Pentium also supports a wider range of memory types, including both DDR3 and DDR4, while the Core i5-3210M has no recorded memory support specification in the database. Both use a dual-channel memory bus, but the Pentium G4520 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, a figure not available for the mobile chip.

Another key difference is the platform. The Pentium G4520 is a desktop processor for Intel Socket 1151, while the Core i5-3210M is a mobile processor for Intel Socket G2 (988B). The Pentium also supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, a specification that is not recorded for the Core i5-3210M. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and neither supports ECC memory.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a consistent pattern of the Pentium G4520 leading by roughly 8% in every test. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Pentium G4520 scores 227 against the Core i5-3210M’s 210, a delta of 8.1%. The Cinebench R20 multi-core test shows a similar result: 949 for the Pentium versus 879 for the Core i5, an 8% difference.

Single-core performance follows the same trend. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Pentium G4520 scores 133 while the Core i5-3210M scores 123, again an 8.1% delta. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test gives the Pentium 2261 against 2095 for the Core i5, a 7.9% advantage. Finally, Cinebench R23 single-core shows the Pentium at 319 and the Core i5 at 295, another 8.1% delta.

The consistency of these margins is notable. The Pentium G4520 leads by nearly the same percentage across all five tests, regardless of workload type. This suggests its advantage comes from a fundamental clock speed difference rather than any workload-specific strength. The Core i5-3210M’s boost clock of 3.10 GHz is still lower than the Pentium’s fixed 3.60 GHz base clock, which explains why the mobile chip cannot close the gap even under optimal conditions.

The database also records a Geekbench score for the Core i5-3210M, with 1116 in multi-core and 587 in single-core. No comparable Geekbench scores are listed for the Pentium G4520, so a direct comparison in this test is not possible. Still, the Cinebench results are sufficient to establish the Pentium’s dominance.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Pentium G4520 has a base clock of 3.60 GHz, which is substantially higher than the Intel Core i5-3210M’s 2.50 GHz base clock. The Core i5-3210M can boost up to 3.10 GHz, but that still falls short of the Pentium’s fixed frequency.

Q: Does the Core i5-3210M’s four threads help it beat the Pentium G4520?

A: No. Despite having four threads against the Pentium’s two, the Core i5-3210M loses all five head-to-head Cinebench tests. The Pentium G4520 wins by margins ranging from 7.9% to 8.1%, showing that its higher clock speed more than compensates for the thread count disadvantage.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption between the two?

A: The Intel Pentium G4520 has a TDP of 51 W, while the Intel Core i5-3210M has a lower TDP of 35 W. This makes the Core i5-3210M more power-efficient, but the Pentium delivers better performance in every recorded benchmark.

Q: Which processor offers more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Pentium G4520 has 4 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i5-3210M has 3 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger cache on the Pentium is one of several factors contributing to its performance lead.

Q: Are both processors compatible with the same socket?

A: No. The Intel Pentium G4520 uses Intel Socket 1151, which is a desktop platform. The Intel Core i5-3210M uses Intel Socket G2 (988B), which is a mobile platform. They are not interchangeable.

Q: Which processor has a better average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Pentium G4520 has an average benchmark score of 778, while the Intel Core i5-3210M has an average score of 758. The Pentium also ranks slightly higher in the percentile versus all CPUs, at 21st percentile compared to the Core i5’s 20th percentile.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear winner for pure performance: the Intel Pentium G4520. It wins every head-to-head benchmark, leads in L3 cache capacity, and has a higher average benchmark score of 778 versus 758 for the Core i5-3210M. Its 8.1% advantage in single-core tests and 7.9% to 8.1% advantage in multi-core tests shows consistent superiority. For anyone building a desktop system and prioritizing CPU speed, the Pentium G4520 is the better choice based on the recorded measurements.

The Intel Core i5-3210M is not without merit, but its strengths lie outside the benchmark results. Its 35 W TDP makes it more suitable for mobile devices where power consumption is a concern. It also offers four threads, which can be beneficial for multitasking in scenarios not captured by the Cinebench tests. However, the database shows no scenario where it outperforms the Pentium G4520.

For a desktop user, the choice is straightforward. The Pentium G4520 offers better performance across the board, with a larger cache and a more modern 14 nm Skylake architecture. For a mobile user, the Core i5-3210M remains a functional option, but its performance is measurably lower in every recorded test.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Pentium G4520 | Intel Core i5-3210M |

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

| Cores | 2 | 2 |

| Threads | 2 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.60 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | None | 3.10 GHz |

| TDP | 51 W | 35 W |

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

| Architecture | Skylake | Ivy Bridge |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 22 nm |

| Die Size | 150 mm² | 118 mm² |

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

| Memory Support | DDR3, DDR4 | Not recorded |

| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | Not recorded |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 530 | Intel HD 4000 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

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

| Transistors | 1,400 million | Not recorded |

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

| Part Number | SR2HM | SR0MZ |