Intel Pentium G3460
Intel processor specifications and benchmark scores
Integrated GPUAt a Glance
IntelIntel Pentium G3460 Specifications
Pentium G3460 Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The Intel Pentium G3460 features 2 physical cores and 2 threads, which directly impacts multi-threaded performance in CPU benchmarks. More cores allow the processor to handle parallel workloads efficiently, improving performance in video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking scenarios. Thread count determines how many simultaneous tasks the CPU can process, with higher thread counts benefiting productivity applications and content creation workflows.
Pentium G3460 Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in Pentium G3460 benchmark performance, measured in GHz. The base clock represents the guaranteed operating frequency, while the boost clock indicates maximum single-core performance under optimal conditions. Higher clock speeds translate to faster single-threaded performance, which is essential for gaming and applications that don't fully utilize multiple cores. The Pentium G3460 by Intel can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
Intel's Pentium G3460 Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the Pentium G3460 processor die. L1 cache provides the fastest access for frequently used data, while L2 and L3 caches offer progressively larger storage with slightly higher latency. Larger cache sizes significantly improve CPU benchmark scores by reducing memory access times. The Pentium G3460's cache configuration is optimized for both gaming performance and productivity workloads, minimizing data fetch delays during intensive computations.
Haswell Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The Intel Pentium G3460 is built on Intel's 22 nm manufacturing process, which determines power efficiency and thermal characteristics. Smaller process nodes allow for more transistors in the same space, enabling higher performance per watt. The architecture defines how the processor handles instructions and manages data flow, directly impacting benchmark results across different workload types. Modern CPU architectures like the one in Pentium G3460 incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
Haswell Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The Pentium G3460 by Intel supports various instruction set extensions that enable optimized performance for specific workloads. SIMD instructions like SSE and AVX accelerate multimedia, scientific computing, and AI workloads by processing multiple data points simultaneously. Features like AES-NI provide hardware-accelerated encryption, while AVX-512 (if supported) enables advanced vector processing for data centers and high-performance computing. These instruction sets are critical for software compatibility and performance in modern applications.
Pentium G3460 Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The Intel Pentium G3460 has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 54W, indicating the cooling solution required for sustained operation. TDP affects both system power consumption and the type of cooler needed. Lower TDP processors are ideal for compact builds and laptops, while higher TDP chips typically offer better sustained performance in demanding CPU benchmarks. Understanding power requirements helps ensure your system can deliver consistent performance without thermal throttling.
Intel Socket 1150 Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The Pentium G3460 uses the Intel Socket 1150 socket, which determines motherboard compatibility. Choosing the right platform is essential for building a system around this processor. The socket type also influences available features like PCIe lanes, memory support, and upgrade paths. When comparing CPU benchmarks, ensure you're looking at processors compatible with your existing or planned motherboard to make informed purchasing decisions.
Intel Socket 1150 Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the Pentium G3460 define which RAM types and speeds are compatible. Faster memory can significantly improve CPU benchmark performance, especially in memory-intensive applications and gaming. The memory controller integrated into the Pentium G3460 determines maximum supported speeds and channels. Dual-channel or quad-channel memory configurations can double or quadruple memory bandwidth, providing noticeable performance gains in content creation and scientific workloads.
Intel's Pentium G3460 Integrated Graphics
Built-in GPU specifications
The Intel Pentium G3460 includes integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a dedicated GPU in basic computing scenarios. Integrated graphics are ideal for office productivity, video playback, and light gaming. While not designed for demanding GPU benchmarks, the iGPU in the Pentium G3460 provides hardware video encoding and decoding capabilities. This makes the processor suitable for compact builds, HTPCs, and systems where power efficiency is prioritized over gaming performance.
Pentium G3460 Product Information
Release and pricing details
The Intel Pentium G3460 is manufactured by Intel and represents their commitment to delivering competitive CPU performance. Understanding the release date and pricing helps contextualize benchmark comparisons with other processors from the same generation. Launch pricing provides a baseline for evaluating value, though street prices often differ. Whether you're building a new system or upgrading, the Pentium G3460 by Intel offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within Intel's product lineup.
Pentium G3460 Benchmark Scores
cinebench_cinebench_r15_multicoreSource
Cinebench R15 multi-core renders a complex 3D scene using all CPU threads simultaneously. This test reveals how Intel Pentium G3460 performs in parallel rendering workloads like video production and 3D animation. Higher scores mean faster render times in professional applications.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
Nearby Performerscinebench_cinebench_r20_multicoreSource
Cinebench R20 multi-core uses a scene requiring 4x more computational power than R15. This test better reflects modern CPU capabilities for professional rendering on Intel Pentium G3460.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r20_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R20 single-core tests one thread against a more demanding scene than R15. This reveals the true single-thread rendering capability of Intel Pentium G3460.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicoreSource
Cinebench R23 multi-core is the current standard for CPU rendering benchmarks with a 10-minute minimum runtime. This extended test reveals sustained performance of Intel Pentium G3460 after thermal limits kick in.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R23 single-core measures sustained single-thread performance over 10 minutes. This reveals how Intel Pentium G3460 maintains boost clocks under continuous load.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
About Intel Pentium G3460
The Intel Pentium G3460 is a dual-core desktop processor from the Haswell generation, positioned at the 16th percentile of all CPUs in the database. Its average benchmark score of 668 places it in the entry-level segment, where its primary appeal is basic computing and legacy platform upgrades rather than high-end performance. The data shows a chip that trades heavily on low power consumption and platform compatibility, with benchmark results that are competitive only against other low-end parts.
Who Should Consider It
The Pentium G3460 is suitable for users whose workloads are single-threaded, light, and infrequent. With two cores and two threads at a base clock of 3.50 GHz, the processor delivers a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 274, which is adequate for basic office tasks such as word processing, spreadsheet navigation, and web browsing. The multi-core scores, 195 in Cinebench R15, 815 in R20, and 1942 in R23, indicate that the chip is not designed for heavy multitasking or parallel workloads. For gaming, the integrated Intel HD (Haswell) graphics and dual-core configuration mean it can handle older or less demanding titles at low settings, but modern games that require more than two threads will likely struggle. Content creation is not a realistic use case; video rendering, 3D modeling, or photo batch processing would show poor performance due to the low multi-core scores. The chip is best suited for a secondary PC, a home server running lightweight tasks, or a media playback machine where the 54 W TDP keeps cooling simple. Users upgrading an existing Socket 1150 motherboard without changing the platform may find this a reasonable drop-in option, but for new builds, the limited thread count and lack of ECC memory support restrict its appeal.
How It Compares
The nearest rival, the Intel Pentium 1403 V2, matches the G3460 exactly with an average score of 668 and a delta of 0%. Benchmark results indicate these two processors are functionally identical in overall performance, making the choice dependent on platform and availability rather than speed.
The Intel Atom x7213RE scores 669, a delta of -0.1% relative to the G3460. This effectively ties the two, but the Atom is a low-power part aimed at embedded or fanless systems. The G3460’s higher base clock of 3.50 GHz does not translate into a measurable advantage in the average score, suggesting that the Atom’s architecture compensates in some workloads.
The AMD Opteron 3260 HE scores 667, a delta of 0.1% ahead of the G3460. This is a server-oriented chip, yet its average performance lands within a rounding error of the Pentium. The data shows no meaningful performance gap between the two, though the Opteron’s target market is different.
The Intel Core i5-2520M scores 669, a delta of -0.2% against the G3460. This is a mobile dual-core part from an older generation, and the near-identical scores confirm that the G3460’s desktop clock advantage is offset by the i5’s architecture. The G3460 does not outpace a two-generation-old laptop CPU in aggregate benchmarks.
Power and Thermals
The Pentium G3460 has a TDP of 54 W, which classifies it as a low-power desktop part. This TDP implies that a stock cooler or a basic air cooler is sufficient; no exotic cooling solution is necessary. The 22 nm process node from Intel contributes to this efficiency, and the die size of 177 mm² with 1,400 million transistors indicates a modest chip that does not generate excessive heat under load. For system builders, this means a compact chassis with limited airflow can still keep the processor within operating limits. The absence of a boost clock means the chip runs at a constant 3.50 GHz, which simplifies thermal management, there are no transient frequency spikes that would demand additional cooling headroom. In a small form factor or HTPC build, the 54 W TDP is a practical advantage, allowing for passive or near-silent cooling configurations.
FAQ
Q: Does the Pentium G3460 support ECC memory?
A: No, the FACT PACK lists ECC memory support as false, so the processor cannot be used in a system that requires error-correcting memory.
Q: What is the memory configuration for this processor?
A: The G3460 supports DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with no memory bandwidth figure provided in the data.
Q: What socket does the Pentium G3460 use?
A: It uses the Intel Socket 1150, which is the platform for the Haswell generation.
Q: Is the processor unlocked for overclocking?
A: No, the multiplier is locked, as indicated by the multiplierUnlocked field being false.
Q: What is the integrated graphics capability?
A: The processor includes Intel HD (Haswell) graphics, which is a basic integrated solution suitable for display output and light graphical tasks.
Q: How does the single-core performance compare to its multi-core performance?
A: The Cinebench R23 single-core score is 274, while the multi-core score is 1942, showing a roughly 7x difference that reflects the dual-core, dual-thread design.
Platform and Compatibility
The Pentium G3460 is built for the Intel Socket 1150 platform, which is associated with the Haswell architecture. It supports DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, and the memory bus is dual-channel, though the FABT PACK does not provide a bandwidth figure. The processor has PCIe Gen 3 support, which is adequate for a single graphics card or storage device from that era. The socket and memory type are fixed; there is no upgrade path to a newer memory standard without changing the motherboard. The production status is listed as active, meaning the chip is still in production, but the platform itself is legacy. The lack of ECC memory support further limits its use in server or workstation environments. For a user already on Socket 1150, the G3460 is a straightforward drop-in replacement, but for a new build, the platform offers no forward compatibility beyond the Haswell generation. The integrated Intel HD (Haswell) graphics provides a basic display output, so a discrete GPU is not strictly required for non-gaming use.
Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior
The benchmark scores reveal a pronounced imbalance between single-thread and multi-thread performance. In Cinebench R20, the single-core score is 115, while the multi-core score is 815; in R23, the single-core score is 274 and the multi-core is 1942. The ratio between multi-core and single-core scores is consistent with a two-core, two-thread processor, where the multi-core result is roughly double the single-core result, but the absolute numbers are low. This means that any workload that can utilize only one thread, such as older games, certain legacy applications, or light scripting, will see the processor perform at its best, but the moment a workload spreads across threads, the lack of additional cores becomes a bottleneck. For example, a web browser with many tabs may show sluggishness because the operating system and background processes compete for the two threads. In contrast, a single-threaded database query or a simple spreadsheet macro would run at the full 3.50 GHz clock. The data suggests that users should prioritize single-threaded software compatibility over any expectation of parallel throughput. The low multi-core scores also mean that the processor is not suitable for any form of video encoding, compilation, or scientific computing that scales with core count.
Benchmark Performance
The Pentium G3460’s average benchmark score of 668 places it at the 16th percentile of all CPUs, indicating that the vast majority of processors in the database outperform it. The Cinebench R15 multi-core score is 195, which is a modest result for a dual-core chip; the R20 multi-core score of 815 and R23 multi-core score of 1942 follow a similar pattern. Single-core performance in R23 is 274, which is relatively stronger but still entry-level. Against its nearest rivals, the G3460 shows no significant advantage: the Intel Pentium 1403 V2 matches its average score exactly (668, 0% delta), the Intel Atom x7213RE is 0.1% behind (669 average score), the AMD Opteron 3260 HE is 0.1% ahead (667 average score), and the Intel Core i5-2520M is 0.2% behind (669 average score). These deltas are within the noise of benchmark variance, so the G3460 does not win or lose decisively against any of these parts. The only differentiator is the specific workload; for instance, the G3460’s higher base clock of 3.50 GHz may help in single-thread tests, but the aggregate scores do not reflect a clear edge. The 16th percentile ranking confirms that this processor is positioned at the bottom of the performance spectrum, and its benchmark results should be interpreted as adequate for basic tasks only, not as a foundation for demanding applications.
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