Intel Pentium G4400

The Intel Pentium G4400 is a 2-core, 2-thread desktop processor built on the 14 nm Skylake architecture, operating at a fixed 3.30 GHz with no boost clock. With an average benchmark score of 747, it sits in the 19th percentile of all CPUs, placing it firmly in entry-level territory for basic computing tasks rather than demanding workloads.

Who Should Consider It

This processor targets users whose primary workloads are lightweight and single-threaded in nature. The benchmark data shows a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 306, which is modest but functional for everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and media playback. The dual-core, dual-thread configuration with no hyper-threading means heavily multi-threaded applications will struggle, as evidenced by the Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 2171, which is only about seven times the single-core result.

Gamers should consider this only for esports titles or older games that rely on single-core performance. The integrated Intel HD 510 graphics eliminates the need for a discrete GPU in basic office or HTPC builds, but modern AAA gaming is out of reach. The 19th percentile ranking versus all CPUs indicates this is not a processor for content creation, video editing, or 3D rendering, those workflows demand the multi-core scores found in higher-tier processors.

Office productivity is the sweet spot. Spreadsheets, email, and presentation software rarely stress more than two threads, and the 3.30 GHz base clock ensures responsive interaction. The presence of DDR3 and DDR4 memory support makes it flexible for budget system builders who may have existing RAM modules. For users who know their workloads are simple and sequential, this processor offers a functional foundation without unnecessary complexity.

How It Compares

The Intel Core i5-670 is a statistical twin in the data, with an average score of 747 and a delta of just 0.1%, essentially identical performance. This means the Pentium G4400, despite being several generations newer, delivers the same aggregate throughput as a much older Core i5 in synthetic benchmarks. The comparison highlights that architectural improvements have not translated into raw performance gains at this tier.

The Intel Atom x7211E also scores 747 with a 0.1% delta, positioning the Pentium as comparable to a low-power Atom part. This is surprising given the Pentium's higher clock speed and desktop-oriented design. The data suggests that for average workloads, the efficiency-focused Atom matches the Pentium's output, though the G4400 likely wins on single-thread responsiveness given its higher frequency.

The Intel Celeron G4920 is the closest competitor, scoring 748 with a -0.1% delta. The Pentium trails by a hair, indicating that within Intel's own entry-level lineup, there is negligible performance separation. Both are dual-core parts, and the benchmark averages show they are interchangeable in real-world scenarios despite any specification differences.

The AMD A10 PRO-7800B scores 746, trailing the Pentium by 0.2%. This APU from AMD's older architecture is essentially tied with the G4400 in aggregate performance. The data implies that for this performance class, brand and architecture matter less than the fundamental limits of a dual-core design.

Benchmark Performance

The Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 218 provides a baseline for legacy performance comparisons. In Cinebench R20, the multi-core score jumps to 911, while the single-core score is 128, a ratio of roughly 7.1:1, which is expected for a dual-core part without SMT. The R23 results show a multi-core score of 2171 and a single-core score of 306, maintaining a similar ratio of about 7.1:1. This consistency across benchmark versions indicates the processor's scaling behavior is predictable and well-understood.

Against the nearest rivals, the deltas are remarkably tight. The 0.1% advantage over the Core i5-670 and Atom x7211E is within run-to-run variance, meaning the Pentium offers no meaningful performance edge over those parts. The -0.1% deficit to the Celeron G4920 is equally negligible, suggesting that paying a premium for the Pentium brand over a Celeron yields virtually no benchmark benefit. The 0.2% lead over the AMD A10 PRO-7800B is the largest margin in this group, but still represents an imperceptible difference in actual use.

The percentile ranking of 19% is the most telling figure. This places the G4400 in the bottom fifth of all processors ever benchmarked, confirming that its performance is acceptable only for the most basic tasks. The average benchmark score of 747 aligns closely with all four rivals, reinforcing that this processor is the definition of an entry-level baseline. There is no scenario where the benchmark data suggests this chip punches above its weight class.

FAQ

Q: Does the Pentium G4400 support hyper-threading?

A: No, it has 2 cores and 2 threads, meaning no hyper-threading is available.

Q: What is the difference between its single-core and multi-core scores?

A: In Cinebench R23, the single-core score is 306 while the multi-core score is 2171, showing a roughly 7:1 scaling that reflects the dual-core design without SMT.

Q: How does it compare to the Intel Core i5-670?

A: The average benchmark scores are 747 for both, with a delta of 0.1%, making them effectively identical in performance.

Q: Is the integrated graphics suitable for gaming?

A: The Intel HD 510 is present, but the 19th percentile overall ranking suggests it is only suitable for basic graphics tasks, not modern gaming.

Q: What memory types does it support?

A: It supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s.

Q: Is the processor overclockable?

A: No, the multiplier is locked, and the base clock is fixed at 3.30 GHz with no boost clock available.

Power and Thermals

The processor carries a TDP of 51 watts, which places it in a modest power class for a desktop part. This figure implies that a standard air cooler with a small heatsink and fan is sufficient for thermal management, as the power draw is low enough that even compact cooling solutions can maintain safe temperatures. The 14 nm process node contributes to this efficiency, as smaller transistors generally require less power to switch. The 1,400 million transistors packed into a 150 mm² die size indicate a relatively dense design for its era, but the low core count keeps power consumption in check. Users should not need exotic cooling, a capable air cooler from any major brand will handle the 51-watt heat output without issue. The lack of a boost clock also means power draw stays constant under load, simplifying thermal design since there are no transient power spikes to accommodate.

Platform and Compatibility

The Pentium G4400 uses the Intel Socket 1151 platform, which offers broad compatibility with motherboards from that generation. It supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, giving builders the unusual flexibility to choose between older and newer RAM standards depending on their motherboard selection. The dual-channel memory bus delivers 34.1 GB/s of bandwidth, which is adequate for the processor's capabilities. PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU provides a full-bandwidth connection for a discrete graphics card or other expansion cards, though the processor's overall performance may bottleneck high-end GPUs. ECC memory is not supported, which is typical for consumer-oriented Pentium parts. The production status is listed as active, meaning the processor is still technically in production, though the release date of August 2015 makes it an older platform. For upgrade paths, users on Socket 1151 can potentially move to higher-tier processors from the same generation, but the motherboard's chipset and BIOS support would determine the exact options available.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The single-thread performance, as shown by the Cinebench R23 score of 306, is the processor's strongest attribute relative to its multi-thread capability. This makes sense for a dual-core part with a 3.30 GHz clock, no boost means the frequency is constant, and the Skylake architecture handles single-threaded instructions efficiently. For tasks like loading web pages, launching applications, or using office software, this single-thread strength provides snappy responsiveness. The multi-thread score of 2171 in R23, however, reveals the fundamental limitation: with only two physical cores and no SMT, the processor can only handle two threads simultaneously. This causes significant performance degradation in multi-threaded workloads like video encoding, 3D rendering, or software compilation, where even quad-core processors outperform it by substantial margins. The ratio between multi and single-core scores, about 7:1, is typical for a dual-core chip, but it means users should not expect any parallelism benefits beyond what two threads can provide. The data suggests that for workloads that are inherently single-threaded, the G4400 performs adequately; for anything that scales with core count, it will fall short quickly. This split behavior defines the processor's identity: a responsive entry-level chip for sequential tasks that is out of its depth in parallel environments.