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Intel Pentium G3250T

Intel Pentium G3250T: A Budget Processor for Basic Tasks in 2025

Haswell Architecture, 22 nm, 2 Cores and 35 W TDP — Is it Worth Considering This CPU Today?

Key Features: Architecture, Process Technology, and Performance

The Intel Pentium G3250T, released in 2014, is based on the Haswell microarchitecture (4th generation Core). It is one of the last Intel CPUs supporting the LGA 1150 socket and features a 22nm manufacturing process. Its key specifications include:

- 2 cores/2 threads without Hyper-Threading technology;

- Base frequency of 2.8 GHz (no turbo boost);

- TDP 35 W — one of the most energy-efficient in the lineup;

- Integrated Intel HD graphics (4th generation) with a base frequency of 200–1100 MHz;

- 3 MB L3 cache.

Performance

In the Geekbench 6 (2025) test, the G3250T scores 524 points in single-thread and 909 in multi-threaded mode. For comparison, the modern budget Celeron G6900 (2023) scores around ~1600/2400 points. However, for basic tasks (office, web, HD video), this is sufficient.

Key Features

- Energy efficiency: suitable for compact PCs and HTPCs.

- Support for instructions SSE4.2 and AVX 2.0.

- Integrated graphics with 4K output via HDMI 1.4 (limitation: 24 Hz).

Compatible Motherboards: Sockets and Chipsets

LGA 1150 socket — an outdated standard relevant from 2013 to 2015. Compatible chipsets include:

- H81, B85 — budget options with basic functionality (2 RAM slots, SATA III);

- H87, H97 — RAID support, more USB 3.0 ports;

- Z87, Z97 — overclocking support (but G3250T is not unlocked).

Choosing Considerations in 2025

New LGA 1150 motherboards are not being manufactured. Prices in the secondary market range from $20 (H81) to $80 (Z97). For example, a used ASUS H81M-K costs $25–30.

Advice: Look for motherboards with HDMI for use in HTPCs. Keep in mind that USB 3.0 and SATA III are not available in all models.

Supported Memory: DDR3 and Its Limitations

The Pentium G3250T works only with DDR3 (1333/1600 MHz) in dual-channel mode. The maximum capacity is 32 GB (theoretically), but in practice, most motherboards support up to 16 GB.

Issues in 2025

- DDR3 is outdated: new modules are no longer produced, and prices for used ones are about $10–15 for 8 GB.

- No support for DDR4/DDR5: upgrades are impossible without changing the platform.

Recommendation: Use two 4 GB modules (totaling 8 GB) for dual-channel mode — this will improve graphics performance.

Power Supply Units: Minimum Requirements

With a TDP of 35 W, the processor is not demanding on the power supply unit (PSU). Even considering other components, 300–400 W will be sufficient. Examples include:

- Be Quiet! System Power 10 400W ($45) — quiet and reliable;

- Corsair CV450 ($50) — 80+ Bronze certified.

Tips:

- If you do not plan to use a discrete graphics card, a 250 W PSU (e.g., FSP Hyper 300W, $35) is adequate.

- A minimum of 350 W is required for a GPU at the level of a GTX 1650.

Pros and Cons of the Pentium G3250T

Pros:

- Low power consumption — ideal for NAS or media center;

- Affordability: used CPU costs $15–20;

- Sufficient performance for basic tasks.

Cons:

- Only 2 cores — multitasking is limited;

- No support for modern standards (DDR4, PCIe 4.0);

- Weak iGPU: capable of gaming only at resolutions up to 720p.

Use Cases: Where is G3250T Still Relevant?

1. Office PC: Document work, browsing, Zoom.

2. Home Theater PC (HTPC): Streaming video at 1080p, 4K (with limitations).

3. Server/NAS: Low power consumption and adequate power for file storage.

4. Educational Projects: Assembling PCs for teaching IT fundamentals.

Practical Example: A user built an HTPC with G3250T, ASRock H81M-VG4, and 8 GB DDR3. The system consumes 45 W under load and streams video via Plex.

Comparison with Competitors

Intel Celeron G5905 (2020, 2 cores, 3.5 GHz):

- Higher performance (+30% in Geekbench 6);

- DDR4 support;

- New ones cost $50 (compared to $15–20 for used G3250T).

AMD Athlon 3000G (2019, 2 cores/4 threads, Vega 3):

- Better graphics;

- DDR4 support;

- Used ones range from $40–50.

Conclusion: G3250T only wins on price but loses in performance and modern technologies.

Practical Assembly Tips

1. Motherboard: Choose models with HDMI (e.g., Gigabyte H81M-H).

2. Memory: 8 GB DDR3 (2x4 GB) is optimal for Windows 10/11.

3. Storage: Ensure to have an SSD (e.g., Kingston A400 240 GB, $25) to speed up system performance.

4. Cooling: The standard cooler is sufficient, but for quiet operation, consider the Deepcool GAMMAXX 200T ($15).

5. Case: Mini-ITX (Fractal Design Node 304) for a compact HTPC.

Important: Install Linux (Lubuntu or Xubuntu) if you are planning to use the system for light tasks — this will reduce the load on the hardware.

Final Conclusion: Who is the Pentium G3250T Suitable for in 2025?

This processor is a choice for those who:

- Are building a cheap PC for office or server use;

- Value low power consumption;

- Do not require high performance for gaming or video editing.

Why G3250T?

For $50–70, you can assemble a basic system (CPU + motherboard + RAM + SSD), which is 2–3 times cheaper than modern alternatives. However, for any tasks other than the simplest, it is better to add $100–150 and opt for a used 8th-generation Core i3 or a new Celeron.

Conclusion: The G3250T is a niche solution for enthusiasts and minimalists, but not for the average user.

Basic

Label Name

Intel

Platform

Desktop

Launch Date

July 2014

Model Name

The Intel processor number is just one of several factors - along with processor brand, system configurations, and system-level benchmarks - to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.

G3250T

Code Name

Haswell

CPU Specifications

Total Cores

Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).

Total Threads

Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.

Basic Frequency

2.80 GHz

Intel Turbo Boost Technology

Intel® Turbo Boost Technology dynamically increases the processor's frequency as needed by taking advantage of thermal and power headroom to give you a burst of speed when you need it, and increased energy efficiency when you don’t.

Intel Hyper-Threading Technology

Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology) delivers two processing threads per physical core. Highly threaded applications can get more work done in parallel, completing tasks sooner.

L3 Cache

3 MB

CPU Socket

The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.

FCLGA1150

Technology

Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.

22 nm

TDP

35 W

PCI Express Version

PCI Express Revision is the supported version of the PCI Express standard. Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (or PCIe) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for attaching hardware devices to a computer. The different PCI Express versions support different data rates.

Up to 3.0

Number of PCI Express Lanes

A PCI Express (PCIe) lane consists of two differential signaling pairs, one for receiving data, one for transmitting data, and is the basic unit of the PCIe bus. Max # of PCI Express Lanes is the total number of supported lanes.

Intel 64

Intel® 64 architecture delivers 64-bit computing on server, workstation, desktop and mobile platforms when combined with supporting software.¹ Intel 64 architecture improves performance by allowing systems to address more than 4 GB of both virtual and physical memory.

Yes

Instruction Set

The instruction set is a hard program stored inside the CPU that guides and optimizes CPU operations. With these instruction sets, the CPU can run more efficiently. There are many manufacturers that design CPUs, which results in different instruction sets, such as the 8086 instruction set for the Intel camp and the RISC instruction set for the ARM camp. x86, ARM v8, and MIPS are all codes for instruction sets. Instruction sets can be extended; for example, x86 added 64-bit support to create x86-64. Manufacturers developing CPUs that are compatible with a certain instruction set need authorization from the instruction set patent holder. A typical example is Intel authorizing AMD, enabling the latter to develop CPUs compatible with the x86 instruction set.

64-bit

PCI Express Configurations

PCI Express (PCIe) Configurations describe the available PCIe lane configurations that can be used to link to PCIe devices.

Up to 1x16 | 2x8 | 1x8+2x4

Memory Specifications

Memory Type

Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.

DDR3-1333 | DDR3L-1333 @ 1.5V

Max Memory Size

Max memory size refers to the maximum memory capacity supported by the processor.

32 GB

Memory Channels

The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.

Bus Speed

5 GT/s

Max Memory Bandwidth

Max Memory bandwidth is the maximum rate at which data can be read from or stored into a semiconductor memory by the processor (in GB/s).

21.3 GB/s

ECC Memory Supported

ECC Memory Supported indicates processor support for Error-Correcting Code memory. ECC memory is a type of system memory that can detect and correct common kinds of internal data corruption. Note that ECC memory support requires both processor and chipset support.

Yes

GPU Specifications

Integrated Graphics Model

An integrated GPU refers to the graphics core that is integrated into the CPU processor. Leveraging the processor's powerful computational capabilities and intelligent power efficiency management, it delivers outstanding graphics performance and a smooth application experience at a lower power consumption.

Intel® HD Graphics for 4th Generation Intel® Processors

Graphics Base Frequency

Graphics Base frequency refers to the rated/guaranteed graphics render clock frequency in MHz.

200 MHz

Graphics Frequency

Graphics max dynamic frequency refers to the maximum opportunistic graphics render clock frequency (in MHz) that can be supported using Intel® HD Graphics with Dynamic Frequency feature.

1.10 GHz

Graphics Video Max Memory

1.7 GB

DirectX Support

DirectX* Support indicates support for a specific version of Microsoft’s collection of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for handling multimedia compute tasks.

11.1/12

Max Resolution (HDMI)

Max Resolution (HDMI) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the HDMI interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.

1920x1080@60Hz

Max Resolution (DP)

Max Resolution (DP) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the DP interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.

2560x1600@60Hz

Max Resolution (eDP - Integrated Flat Panel)

Max Resolution (Integrated Flat Panel) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor for a device with an integrated flat panel (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your device.

2560x1600@60Hz

Max Resolution (VGA)

1920x1200@60Hz

Number of Displays Supported

Graphics Output

Graphics Output defines the interfaces available to communicate with display devices.

eDP/DP/HDMI/DVI/VGA

Miscellaneous

Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x)

Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x) allows one hardware platform to function as multiple “virtual” platforms. It offers improved manageability by limiting downtime and maintaining productivity by isolating computing activities into separate partitions.

Yes

Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)

Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) continues from the existing support for IA-32 (VT-x) and Itanium® processor (VT-i) virtualization adding new support for I/O-device virtualization. Intel VT-d can help end users improve security and reliability of the systems and also improve performance of I/O devices in virtualized environments.

Intel Standard Manageability (ISM)

Intel® Standard Manageability is the manageability solution for Intel vPro® Essentials platforms and is a subset of Intel® AMT with out-of-band management over Ethernet and Wi-Fi, but no KVM or new life cycle management features.

Intel® SSE4.1 | Intel® SSE4.2

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology is an advanced means of enabling high performance while meeting the power-conservation needs of mobile systems. Conventional Intel SpeedStep® Technology switches both voltage and frequency in tandem between high and low levels in response to processor load. Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology builds upon that architecture using design strategies such as Separation between Voltage and Frequency Changes, and Clock Partitioning and Recovery.

Yes

Execute Disable Bit

Execute Disable Bit is a hardware-based security feature that can reduce exposure to viruses and malicious-code attacks and prevent harmful software from executing and propagating on the server or network.

Yes

Cache

CPU Cache is an area of fast memory located on the processor. Intel® Smart Cache refers to the architecture that allows all cores to dynamically share access to the last level cache.

3 MB Intel® Smart Cache

Intel AES New Instructions

Intel® AES New Instructions (Intel® AES-NI) are a set of instructions that enable fast and secure data encryption and decryption. AES-NI are valuable for a wide range of cryptographic applications, for example: applications that perform bulk encryption/decryption, authentication, random number generation, and authenticated encryption.

Intel VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)

Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT), also known as Second Level Address Translation (SLAT), provides acceleration for memory intensive virtualized applications. Extended Page Tables in Intel® Virtualization Technology platforms reduces the memory and power overhead costs and increases battery life through hardware optimization of page table management.

Yes

OpenGL Support

OpenGL (Open Graphics Library) is a cross-language, multi-platform API (Application Programming Interface) for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics.

4.3

Intel Quick Sync Video

Intel® Quick Sync Video delivers fast conversion of video for portable media players, online sharing, and video editing and authoring.

Yes

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6

Single Core Score

524

Geekbench 6

Multi Core Score

909

Geekbench 5

Single Core Score

619

Geekbench 5

Multi Core Score

1126

Passmark CPU

Single Core Score

1580

Passmark CPU

Multi Core Score

1754

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 6 Single Core

Core i5-3450S

597 +13.9%

Core i5-3380M

559 +6.7%

Pentium G3250T

524

Core i7-3517U

486 -7.3%

FX-4130

448 -14.5%

Geekbench 6 Multi Core

A10-5800B

1110 +22.1%

A10-5700

987 +8.6%

Pentium G3250T

909

Xeon E5-1410 v2

761 -16.3%

Core i7-4770TE

660 -27.4%

Geekbench 5 Single Core

Pentium G4560T

666 +7.6%

Xeon Platinum 8270

644 +4%

Pentium G3250T

619

Xeon E7-8860 v3

598 -3.4%

Celeron N4500

578 -6.6%

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

Celeron G4920

1296 +15.1%

Athlon Gold 3150C

1212 +7.6%

Pentium G3250T

1126

A6-3600

1062 -5.7%

Core i5-3337U

969 -13.9%

Passmark CPU Single Core

Xeon E5-1607 v2

1640 +3.8%

Core m3-7Y32

1616 +2.3%

Pentium G3250T

1580

Core i3-3240T

1555 -1.6%

Core i3-2120

1517 -4%

Passmark CPU Multi Core

Core i3-2102

2029 +15.7%

Core M-5Y31

1907 +8.7%

Pentium G3250T

1754

Celeron G1840T

1576 -10.1%

Celeron N4000

1416 -19.3%