Intel Core i7-3537U vs Intel Pentium G4520 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data paints a clear picture for this pairing, with the Intel Pentium G4520 taking every recorded head-to-head victory. The database shows five benchmark wins for the Pentium G4520 and zero for the Core i7-3537U, which is a decisive sweep across all tested workloads. This does not mean the Core i7-3537U is without merit, but its strengths do not show up in the Cinebench suite used for this comparison.

The Pentium G4520 wins purely on raw compute throughput. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 227 against the Core i7-3537U's 201, a 12.9% advantage. That margin grows slightly in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the Pentium posts 949 versus 839, a 13.1% lead. The R23 multicore test shows a similar story: 2261 to 1998, again a 13.2% gap. These are consistent, not isolated results, meaning the Pentium's advantage holds across different versions of the same rendering workload.

Single-threaded performance tells the same tale. The Pentium G4520 scores 133 in Cinebench R20 single-core against 118 for the Core i7-3537U, a 12.7% edge. In R23 single-core, the Pentium hits 319 versus 282, a 13.1% lead. The Core i7-3537U does have a boost clock of 3.20 GHz, but the Pentium's 3.60 GHz base clock appears to be the deciding factor, as the data shows the Pentium ahead in every single-core test.

Where the Core i7-3537U could theoretically win is in multi-threaded scenarios that benefit from its four threads versus the Pentium's two. However, the Cinebench multicore results do not reflect such an advantage. The Pentium's higher clock speed and newer architecture seem to compensate for the thread count deficit. The Core i7-3537U also has a Geekbench result in the database, scoring 1269 multi-core and 658 single-core, but there is no equivalent Geekbench score for the Pentium to compare against, so these numbers stand alone.

For users prioritizing raw CPU throughput in rendering or similar workloads, the Pentium G4520 is the clear choice based on the recorded data. For users in power-constrained or mobile environments, the Core i7-3537U's 17W TDP versus the Pentium's 51W TDP is a significant differentiator, though that is not a benchmark score, it is a specification that shapes real-world usage.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel eras and target different market segments. The Pentium G4520 is a desktop part built on the Skylake architecture, using a 14 nm process node from Intel. It has 1,400 million transistors on a 150 mm² die. The Core i7-3537U is a mobile part based on Ivy Bridge, fabricated on a 22 nm process with a 118 mm² die size. Transistor count for the Core i7 is not recorded in the database.

Core configuration differs in thread count. Both have 2 physical cores, but the Core i7-3537U supports 4 threads through Hyper-Threading, while the Pentium G4520 is limited to 2 threads. Cache hierarchy is identical in structure: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. The Pentium's L3 is listed as 4 MB shared, and the Core i7 also has 4 MB shared, so there is no cache capacity advantage for either part.

Clock speeds are a major split. The Pentium G4520 runs at a fixed 3.60 GHz base clock with no boost capability. The Core i7-3537U has a 2000.00 MHz base clock, which is 2.00 GHz, and a 3.20 GHz boost clock. The Pentium's base clock is 0.40 GHz higher than the Core i7's maximum boost, which explains the consistent single-core performance lead in the benchmarks.

Memory support differs. The Pentium G4520 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The Core i7-3537U supports only DDR3, also dual-channel, but no bandwidth figure is recorded for it. The Pentium also has PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Core i7 does not have a recorded PCIe specification.

Integrated graphics are different generations. The Pentium G4520 uses Intel HD 530, while the Core i7-3537U uses Intel HD 4000. Neither part has a benchmark score for its iGPU in this database, so any comparison there is qualitative. The Pentium's socket is Intel Socket 1151, a desktop platform, while the Core i7 uses Intel BGA 1023, a soldered mobile package. The Pentium is marked as Active in production status, while the Core i7 has no recorded production status.

Power consumption is a stark contrast. The Pentium G4520 has a TDP of 51W, typical for a desktop chip. The Core i7-3537U has a TDP of 17W, designed for thin and light laptops. This is a 34W difference, which is substantial for thermal design and battery life, though the Pentium's higher power envelope allows for its higher sustained clock speed.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the recorded benchmark data, the Intel Pentium G4520 is the faster processor in every tested workload. It wins all five head-to-head Cinebench tests with deltas ranging from 12.7% to 13.2%. Users who need maximum CPU throughput for rendering, encoding, or other compute-heavy tasks should choose the Pentium G4520 without hesitation. Its 3.60 GHz base clock delivers a consistent advantage that the Core i7-3537U cannot overcome even with its 3.20 GHz boost.

The Core i7-3537U is not without a case, but that case rests on specifications rather than benchmark scores. Its 17W TDP makes it suitable for fanless or low-power designs, and its 4 threads could theoretically help in heavily parallel workloads that scale beyond 2 threads. However, the Cinebench multicore results show the Pentium ahead by 12.9% to 13.2% despite having half the thread count. This suggests the Pentium's architectural efficiency and clock speed more than compensate for the missing Hyper-Threading.

Desktop users building a system on Socket 1151 should choose the Pentium G4520. It supports both DDR3 and DDR4, giving memory flexibility, and has PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. Mobile users or those repurposing an older laptop chassis are stuck with the Core i7-3537U due to its BGA 1023 socket, but they should be aware that its performance lags the Pentium in every recorded test.

The average benchmark scores reinforce the head-to-head results. The Pentium G4520 has an average benchmark score of 778, while the Core i7-3537U sits at 766. Both occupy the 21st percentile against all CPUs in the database, meaning they are similarly positioned in the broader market. The Pentium's nearest rivals include the AMD A10-5800K at 778, the AMD Athlon X4 760K at 777, and the Intel Pentium Silver J5005 at 776, all within 0.3%. The Core i7-3537U's rivals include the AMD A8-6600K at 764, the Intel Core i3-3240 at 761, and the Intel Core i5-680 at 772, showing it is slightly below the Pentium's peer group.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Pentium G4520 wins all single-core tests. It scores 133 in Cinebench R20 single-core versus 118 for the Core i7-3537U, a 12.7% lead, and 319 versus 282 in R23 single-core, a 13.1% lead.

Q: Does the Core i7-3537U's Hyper-Threading help it win any multicore tests?

A: No. Despite having 4 threads versus the Pentium's 2, the Core i7-3537U loses all multicore tests. The Pentium leads by 12.9% in R15, 13.1% in R20, and 13.2% in R23 multicore.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two processors?

A: The Pentium G4520 has a TDP of 51W, while the Core i7-3537U has a TDP of 17W. This is a 34W difference, making the Core i7 significantly more power-efficient for mobile use.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: Only the Pentium G4520 supports DDR4, in addition to DDR3. The Core i7-3537U supports DDR3 only. Both use dual-channel memory, but the Pentium has a recorded memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s.

Q: Are these two processors comparable in overall market position?

A: Yes. Both sit at the 21st percentile against all CPUs in the database. The Pentium has an average benchmark score of 778, and the Core i7 has 766, a difference of 12 points.

Q: What are the socket requirements for each processor?

A: The Pentium G4520 uses Intel Socket 1151, a desktop socket. The Core i7-3537U uses Intel BGA 1023, a soldered mobile package, meaning it cannot be swapped into a desktop motherboard.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a clean sweep for the Pentium G4520, with every delta falling in a narrow range between 12.7% and 13.2%. This consistency suggests a fundamental clock speed or architectural advantage rather than workload-specific quirks.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Pentium scores 227 against the Core i7's 201. The 12.9% delta is the smallest of the multicore tests, but still a clear win. This test is older and may not stress the newer Skylake architecture as heavily, yet the Pentium still comes out ahead.

Cinebench R20 multicore shows a larger gap. The Pentium hits 949, while the Core i7 manages 839, a 13.1% difference. This test is more modern and scales with AVX instructions, where Skylake's newer implementation likely contributes to the Pentium's advantage. The Core i7's Ivy Bridge architecture, despite having four threads, cannot match the Pentium's per-core throughput.

The R20 single-core test is the closest margin. The Pentium scores 133, and the Core i7 scores 118, a 12.7% delta. This is the smallest percentage gap in the entire comparison, but it still favors the Pentium. The Core i7's 3.20 GHz boost clock is 0.40 GHz lower than the Pentium's 3.60 GHz base, and that difference shows up directly in this test.

Cinebench R23 multicore delivers the largest delta. The Pentium scores 2261, and the Core i7 scores 1998, a 13.2% lead. This test is the most demanding in the suite, and the Pentium's advantage grows slightly as workload intensity increases. The Core i7's extra threads do not compensate for its lower clock speed and older architecture.

The R23 single-core test returns to a 13.1% delta, with the Pentium at 319 and the Core i7 at 282. This mirrors the R20 single-core result almost exactly, confirming that the performance gap is stable across generations of the Cinebench benchmark.

The Geekbench scores for the Core i7-3537U, 1269 multi-core and 658 single-core, are recorded in the database but have no Pentium counterpart for comparison. These numbers place the Core i7 in a similar performance class to its Cinebench results, but without a direct Pentium Geekbench score, they cannot be used for a head-to-head analysis.

Overall, the Pentium G4520 is the faster processor in every measurable way within this comparison. The Core i7-3537U's only advantages are its lower TDP and its mobile form factor, neither of which appears in benchmark scores. For anyone choosing between these two based on raw performance, the data is unambiguous: the Pentium wins every test by roughly 13%.