Performance comparison: which is faster?
Pentium Gold G6400 (Intel, 2020) and Core i3-3240 (Intel, 2012) are compared here. Compare not only scores, but also whether the motherboard can be reused and which GPU class is balanced with each CPU.
Overall performance: Pentium Gold G6400 is about 5.3% faster
The sockets differ (LGA1200 / LGA1155), so switching requires a motherboard replacement. For games, performance balance with the GPU (guideline CPU:GPU = 0.9:1) matters more than CPU speed alone.
Relative performance score (higher is faster). Actual speed varies by workload, cooling, and memory configuration.
| Item | Pentium Gold G6400 | i3-3240 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Score | 4,000 | 3,800 |
| Generation | Pentium | 3rd Gen |
| Socket | LGA1200 | LGA1155 |
| Release Year | 2020 | 2012 |
| Type | Desktop | Desktop |
| Compatible GPU Example | GeForce GTX 1050 | GeForce GTX 950 |
| If You Want To... | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Prioritize maximum speed for heavy work or a high-end GPU | Pentium Gold G6400 |
| Upgrade while reusing the current motherboard | Choose the CPU matching your motherboard socket |
| Prioritize value and adequate performance | i3-3240 (the lower model is often sufficient) |
Pentium Gold G6400 is about 5.3% higher by score (Pentium Gold G6400: 4000 points / i3-3240: 3800 points). For gaming, the GPU tier usually matters more than a few percent of CPU difference. For CPU-heavy work such as video editing and streaming, choose the faster CPU.
Pentium Gold G6400 is Pentium, while i3-3240 is 3rd Gen.The sockets differ (LGA1200 / LGA1155), so switching requires a motherboard replacement.
Using our CPU:GPU = 0.9:1 guideline, GeForce GTX 1050 pairs well with Pentium Gold G6400 and GeForce GTX 950 pairs well with i3-3240. If either GPU is too strong or too weak, one part holds the other back.
