Intel Pentium Gold G6505

The Intel Pentium Gold G6505 is a dual-core desktop processor built on Intel's 14 nm Comet Lake architecture. It runs at a fixed 4.20 GHz base clock with no boost, features 4 MB of shared L3 cache, and supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. The chip includes UHD Graphics 630 and fits the Intel Socket 1200 platform. With an average benchmark score of 1074, it sits in the 29th percentile of all CPUs in the database. Its launch MSRP is $75.

How It Compares

Against the Intel Core i7-2820QM, the G6505 scores 1074 versus 1075, a deficit of 0.1%. This is effectively a statistical tie; the two processors are indistinguishable in average benchmark performance.

The Intel Core i7-2760QM holds a 0.2% lead over the G6505, with scores of 1076 and 1074 respectively. The two-point gap is negligible in real-world terms, placing the G6505 in a dead heat with that mobile quad-core part.

The AMD Athlon X4 880K trails the G6505 by 0.2%, scoring 1071 against 1074. The Pentium edges out the AMD chip, though the margin is small enough that day-to-day differences would be imperceptible.

The Intel Core i3-4170T is 0.3% slower than the G6505, with a score of 1071 versus 1074. This is the largest delta among the four nearest rivals, yet still a very narrow gap. All four rivals fall within a 0.5% band around the G6505, making the entire peer group effectively interchangeable in average performance.

Power and Thermals

The G6505 carries a TDP of 58 watts, placing it in a low-power desktop class. This modest power envelope means a basic air cooler is sufficient; there is no need for liquid cooling or a large tower heatsink. The fixed 4.20 GHz base clock and absence of a boost mode keep power draw predictable under sustained load, simplifying thermal design. The integrated UHD Graphics 630 adds some load, but the total package remains within the 58W budget. The 14 nm process is not cutting-edge, but it is well-matched to this power level, and the Socket 1200 platform supports standard desktop cooling solutions.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

Cinebench results reveal the G6505's dual-core, four-thread character. In R15, the chip scores 374 multi-core and 52 single-core. In R20, it reaches 1560 multi-core and 220 single-core. In R23, it posts 3715 multi-core and 524 single-core. The single-thread scores are modest in absolute terms, reflecting the lack of boost and the dual-core design. However, the multi-thread scores scale consistently across all three Cinebench versions, indicating that the four threads are fully utilized. The R23 multi-core figure of 3715 is substantially higher than the single-core 524, showing that the chip benefits from its two cores and four threads. This pattern suggests the G6505 is better suited to lightly threaded tasks, though it can still handle occasional parallel workloads without major penalties.

FAQ

Q: Does the G6505 support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported.

Q: What socket does it use?

A: Intel Socket 1200.

Q: What integrated graphics does it include?

A: UHD Graphics 630.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth?

A: Dual-channel DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked?

A: No, the multiplier is locked.

Q: What is the process node?

A: 14 nm.

Benchmark Performance

The G6505's average benchmark score of 1074 places it in the 29th percentile of all CPUs, meaning a majority of processors in the database outperform it. Yet within its immediate peer group, the chip holds its own. The nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-2820QM, is only 0.1% faster (1075 vs 1074). The Core i7-2760QM is 0.2% faster (1076 vs 1074). The AMD Athlon X4 880K is 0.2% slower (1071 vs 1074), and the Intel Core i3-4170T is 0.3% slower (1071 vs 1074). These deltas are so small that the G6505 is effectively equal to all four rivals in average performance. In Cinebench R23, the chip scores 3715 multi-core and 524 single-core, numbers consistent with its dual-core, four-thread configuration and its 4.20 GHz base clock. The 29th percentile ranking underscores that while the G6505 is not a high-performance part, it is not dramatically weaker than its closest competitors.

Who Should Consider It

The G6505 is a suitable choice for basic office productivity, web browsing, and light multitasking. The 4.20 GHz base clock delivers responsive single-thread performance for everyday applications, while the four threads handle occasional parallel tasks like background updates or file compression. The integrated UHD Graphics 630 is adequate for video playback and 2D workloads, but it is not intended for demanding 3D gaming or GPU-accelerated rendering. The 58W TDP makes the chip a good fit for compact or low-noise builds, where heat and power are at a premium. For heavy multi-threaded workloads such as video encoding, 3D rendering, or large-scale data processing, the dual-core design will become a bottleneck. Users who need a simple, dependable CPU for a home or office PC—without overclocking or ECC support—will find the G6505 adequate, though its 29th percentile ranking indicates that most other CPUs in the database offer more performance.