Performance comparison: which is faster?
Pentium Gold G6400 (Intel, 2020) and Pentium G3258 (Intel, 2014) 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 25% faster
The sockets differ (LGA1200 / LGA1150), 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 | Pentium G3258 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Score | 4,000 | 3,200 |
| Generation | Pentium | Pentium |
| Socket | LGA1200 | LGA1150 |
| Release Year | 2020 | 2014 |
| Type | Desktop | Desktop |
| Compatible GPU Example | GeForce GTX 1050 | Radeon HD 7850 |
| 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 | Pentium G3258 (the lower model is often sufficient) |
Pentium Gold G6400 is about 25% higher by score (Pentium Gold G6400: 4000 points / Pentium G3258: 3200 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.
Both are Pentium-generation CPUs.The sockets differ (LGA1200 / LGA1150), so switching requires a motherboard replacement.
Using our CPU:GPU = 0.9:1 guideline, GeForce GTX 1050 pairs well with Pentium Gold G6400 and Radeon HD 7850 pairs well with Pentium G3258. If either GPU is too strong or too weak, one part holds the other back.
