Intel Pentium 3805U

The Intel Pentium 3805U is a dual-core mobile processor from the Broadwell-U generation, built on Intel’s 14 nm process. Launched in early 2015, this end-of-life chip targets entry-level laptops, with a modest 4th percentile ranking among all CPUs. Its benchmark scores place it firmly at the bottom of the performance spectrum, yet the data reveals a specific set of characteristics worth examining for basic computing tasks.

Benchmark Performance

The Pentium 3805U delivers a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 1014, while its single-core result in the same test is 143. In Geekbench, the processor scores 608 multi-core and 330 single-core. These figures translate to an average benchmark score of 383, which places the chip in the 4th percentile of all CPUs — indicating that roughly 96% of processors in the database outperform it.

The Cinebench R20 results show a multi-core score of 425 and a single-core score of 60, while the older R15 test yields a multi-core score of 102. The gap between multi-core and single-core performance is substantial in every test, but the absolute numbers remain low. For context, the nearest rival, the AMD Athlon II X2 265, has an identical average score of 383, producing a delta of just 0.1%. The Intel Celeron 3205U trails by a hair at 385 average score (−0.5% delta), while the Intel Core i3-3217U and AMD Athlon II X3 400e both sit at 386 average score (−0.7% and −0.8% deltas respectively). These deltas are negligible in real-world terms, meaning the Pentium 3805U is statistically tied with its closest competitors.

Power and Thermals

The Pentium 3805U has a TDP of 15 watts, which classifies it as a low-power mobile processor. This TDP level suggests that a basic passive or low-profile active cooling solution is sufficient — no elaborate heatsink or high-airflow fan is required. The 14 nm fabrication process, with 1,300 million transistors on an 82 mm² die, contributes to this efficiency. The data does not include any sustained power draw or thermal throttling figures, but the 15 W TDP implies that the chip can operate within the thermal limits of thin-and-light laptop chassis without excessive heat buildup. For comparison, rivals in this segment (such as the Core i3-3217U) also target similar ultraportable designs, though their exact TDPs are not listed in this dataset.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The split between single-core and multi-core scores is telling. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core score of 1014 is 7.1 times higher than the single-core score of 143, which is expected for a 2-core, 2-thread processor — the scaling is nearly linear. The R20 test shows a 7.1x ratio as well (425 vs 60). However, the Geekbench results show a smaller ratio: 608 multi-core versus 330 single-core, a factor of just 1.84. This discrepancy suggests that Geekbench’s workload does not scale as efficiently across the two cores, possibly due to memory bandwidth constraints or the nature of its tests.

For real workloads, this means the chip handles single-threaded tasks (like web browsing, document editing, or light spreadsheet work) with a consistent, if low, level of performance. Multi-threaded applications that can use both cores will see a meaningful boost, but the absolute ceiling remains low. The 2 MB shared L3 cache and 64 KB L1 per core are small by modern standards, which likely contributes to the limited scaling observed in some benchmarks.

How It Compares

AMD Athlon II X2 265: This desktop-era dual-core processor matches the Pentium 3805U exactly, with an average score of 383 against the Pentium’s 383, yielding a delta of 0.1%. The performance is essentially identical in aggregate benchmarks, though the Athlon II X2 265 targets a different platform (desktop) and likely has different power characteristics — but those details are not in this dataset.

Intel Celeron 3205U: The Celeron scores 385 on average, which is 0.5% higher than the Pentium 3805U. This delta is within noise, meaning the two chips are interchangeable in practical terms. Both are Broadwell-U parts, but the Pentium’s slightly lower score suggests that the extra branding (Pentium vs Celeron) does not translate into measurable performance gains in this dataset.

Intel Core i3-3217U: This Ivy Bridge-based Core i3 averages 386, just 0.7% above the Pentium 3805U. The Core i3 offers hyper-threading (though not listed here), yet its benchmark scores barely edge out the Pentium. This indicates that for the workloads captured in these tests, the architectural differences between Broadwell and Ivy Bridge, and the core/thread counts, do not produce a significant gap.

AMD Athlon II X3 400e: The triple-core Athlon averages 386, a 0.8% delta over the Pentium 3805U. Having one additional core provides a marginal advantage in multi-threaded tests, but the overall average score remains in the same tier. The Pentium’s newer architecture (14 nm vs older process) does not compensate for the core deficit in this comparison.

Platform and Compatibility

The Pentium 3805U uses the Intel BGA 1168 socket, which is a soldered (non-upgradeable) package. It supports DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. ECC memory is not supported. PCIe connectivity is limited to Gen 2 with 12 lanes from the CPU, which is adequate for basic storage and expansion but not for high-bandwidth devices like modern GPUs. The integrated graphics are listed simply as "Intel HD" — no specific model or performance numbers are provided in the dataset.

The platform’s upgrade path is essentially non-existent: because the CPU is soldered to the motherboard, users cannot swap it for a faster part. The memory support is limited to DDR3, which was already aging by the time this chip launched. The PCIe Gen 2 lanes restrict modern add-in cards, but for a laptop in this performance class, that is rarely a concern. The production status is end-of-life, so new units are not being manufactured, and the launch MSRP was $161 — a figure that reflects its original positioning but is not relevant to current availability.

Who Should Consider It

Given its 4th percentile ranking and low absolute scores, the Pentium 3805U is suitable only for the most basic computing tasks. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 1014 and Geekbench multi-core of 608 indicate that light productivity (word processing, email, web browsing with a few tabs) is within its capabilities, but anything more demanding will strain the chip. The single-core scores of 143 (R23) and 330 (Geekbench) suggest that even simple applications may feel sluggish when compared to modern processors.

For gaming, this processor is not viable for anything beyond very old or 2D titles — no graphics benchmark data is provided, but the integrated "Intel HD" graphics and low CPU scores point to minimal gaming capability. Content creation (video editing, 3D rendering, photo manipulation) is out of the question; the multi-core scores are far too low for such workloads. Office work that involves large spreadsheets or complex documents might be tolerable but will show noticeable lag.

The only realistic use case is as a basic web terminal or for lightweight, single-application use in a secondary laptop. It is not a processor for anyone who values responsiveness or multitasking. The data clearly places it at the bottom of the performance hierarchy, tied with other entry-level parts from the same era.

FAQ

Q: How does the Pentium 3805U perform in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: It scores 1014 in the R23 multi-core test, which is a low result reflective of its 2-core, 2-thread design.

Q: What is the average benchmark score of the Pentium 3805U?

A: The average benchmark score is 383, placing it in the 4th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Does the Pentium 3805U support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported; it uses DDR3 in a dual-channel configuration with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What socket does this processor use?

A: It uses the Intel BGA 1168 socket, which is a soldered (non-upgradeable) mobile package.

Q: How does it compare to the Intel Celeron 3205U?

A: The Celeron 3205U has an average score of 385, which is 0.5% higher than the Pentium 3805U’s 383, indicating virtually identical performance.

Q: Is the Pentium 3805U still in production?

A: No, its production status is end-of-life, and its launch MSRP was $161.