Intel Pentium Gold G5500
Intel processor specifications and benchmark scores
Intel Pentium Gold G5500 Specifications
Pentium Gold G5500 Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The Intel Pentium Gold G5500 features 2 physical cores and 4 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 Gold G5500 Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in Pentium Gold G5500 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 Gold G5500 by Intel can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
Intel's Pentium Gold G5500 Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the Pentium Gold G5500 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 Gold G5500's cache configuration is optimized for both gaming performance and productivity workloads, minimizing data fetch delays during intensive computations.
Coffee Lake Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The Intel Pentium Gold G5500 is built on Intel's 14 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 Gold G5500 incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
Coffee Lake Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The Pentium Gold G5500 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 Gold G5500 Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The Intel Pentium Gold G5500 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 1151 Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The Pentium Gold G5500 uses the Intel Socket 1151 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 1151 Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the Pentium Gold G5500 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 Gold G5500 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 Gold G5500 Integrated Graphics
Built-in GPU specifications
The Intel Pentium Gold G5500 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 Gold G5500 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 Gold G5500 Product Information
Release and pricing details
The Intel Pentium Gold G5500 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 Gold G5500 by Intel offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within Intel's product lineup.
Pentium Gold G5500 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 Gold G5500 performs in parallel rendering workloads.
cinebench_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 Gold G5500. The more demanding workload provides better differentiation between current-generation processors. Content creators and 3D artists use this benchmark to estimate real-world render performance.
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 Gold G5500. The increased complexity provides more accurate performance differentiation between modern CPUs. Single-thread performance remains critical for gaming and applications with serial bottlenecks.
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 Gold G5500 after thermal limits kick in. The longer duration exposes cooling limitations that shorter benchmarks miss. Professional users rely on R23 scores to predict real-world rendering performance under sustained workloads.
cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R23 single-core measures sustained single-thread performance over 10 minutes. This reveals how Intel Pentium Gold G5500 maintains boost clocks under continuous load. The extended runtime shows whether thermal throttling affects single-core performance. This score is particularly important for understanding real-world responsiveness beyond initial boost behavior.
About Intel Pentium Gold G5500
Is the Intel Pentium Gold G5500 a good pick for multi-threaded workloads? With just 2 cores and 4 threads, it leans heavily on Intel’s Hyper-Threading technology for parallel processing, but the real-world impact is limited. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 3,247 points suggests it’s capable of handling basic multitasking, like streaming while browsing, but falls short for more intensive tasks like video editing or 3D rendering. Its dual-core architecture can bottleneck performance when competing against quad-core processors, even if it manages to split threads efficiently. The Cinebench R20 multicore result of 1,363 points reinforces this, showing a gap compared to mid-range CPUs. For users needing true multi-threaded muscle, the G5500 won’t cut it, but for light to moderate workloads, it’s a budget-friendly option. Hyper-threading helps here, but it’s not a magic fix real cores still outperform split threads in most scenarios.
How do the clock speeds of the Intel Pentium Gold G5500 stack up in 2023? A base clock of 3.8 GHz is solid for single-core tasks, and the lack of a turbo boost might raise eyebrows. Unlike higher-tier CPUs, this chip doesn’t ramp up under load, which could leave it lagging in CPU-heavy applications over time. Single-core benchmarks like Cinebench R23 (458 points) and R20 (192 points) highlight its decent responsiveness for everyday use, but the 14 nm Coffee Lake process feels dated now. Modern platforms with 10 nm or 7 nm architectures offer better efficiency and scaling. If you’re relying on burst performance for gaming or compiling code, the G5500 won’t impress. It’s a steady performer, though, and 3.8 GHz is enough to keep up with legacy software and older games. But should you be stuck with a fixed clock when newer CPUs can dynamically adjust?
Does the Intel Pentium Gold G5500’s 54W TDP make it a power-efficient choice? At first glance, the TDP aligns with standard desktop chips, but the 14 nm manufacturing process means it’s not the most energy-efficient by today’s standards. You’ll need a decent cooler to manage heat, especially during sustained loads. Modern 10 nm and 7 nm processors deliver similar performance with lower power consumption, which is a bummer. The 54W rating is manageable for a budget build, but it’s not ideal for systems aiming to be ultra-quiet or ultra-low power. If you’re pairing it with a minimalist cooling solution, you might hit thermal limits quicker. Still, for air-cooled setups with a mid-range heatsink, it should stay within check. Is this TDP acceptable for a 2018-era CPU, or does it feel overkill for its performance level?
What about the cache and ideal workloads for the G5500? The 4 MB of shared L3 cache is modest, which helps with data access but won’t make up for the lack of cores in heavy tasks. Intel doesn’t list L1 or L2 cache sizes, but Coffee Lake’s design typically allocates 512 KB L2 and 4 MB L3 per core so each core here has 2 MB L3. This setup works for basic productivity, like web browsing or document editing, where latency isn’t critical. The chip’s sweet spot is in budget desktops or older machines with Intel Socket 1151 compatibility. Let’s break down its best use cases:
- Light multitasking (streaming and productivity)
- Older gaming titles (CPU isn’t the bottleneck)
- Office software and web browsing
- Entry-level media encoding or transcoding
- Home theater PCs with minimal background tasks
- Upgrading pre-gen-6 systems with 1151 motherboards
The AMD Equivalent of Pentium Gold G5500
Looking for a similar processor from AMD? The AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
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