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Intel Pentium G3460T

Intel Pentium G3460T: A Budget Processor for Basic Tasks in 2025

Updated: April 2025

1. Key Specifications: Haswell Architecture and Modest Performance

The Intel Pentium G3460T, released in 2014, is still found in budget builds due to its low power consumption and affordable price. Let's look at its key features:

- Architecture: Haswell (4th generation Intel Core).

- Process: 22 nm.

- Cores/Threads: 2 cores, 2 threads.

- Base Clock: 3.0 GHz (no turbo boost).

- TDP: 35 W.

- Integrated Graphics: Intel HD Graphics for 4th generation (base clock 200 MHz, dynamic up to 1100 MHz).

- Cache: 3 MB L3.

Key Features:

- Low heat output — suitable for compact PCs.

- Integrated graphics for basic tasks.

- Support for SSE4.2 and AVX2 instructions (helpful for some applications).

Performance:

In 2025 benchmarks, the G3460T shows modest results:

- Cinebench R23: ~700 points (single-threaded) — comparable to the Intel Celeron G5900.

- 1080p YouTube: CPU load up to 40-50% (without hardware decoding for VP9/AV1).

- Office Tasks: Working with documents, web browsing with 5-10 tabs — smooth operation, but with delays when launching heavy web applications.

2. Compatible Motherboards: LGA 1150 Socket and Chipsets

The G3460T uses the outdated LGA 1150 socket, limiting the choice of motherboards. Relevant options in 2025:

- Chipsets: H81, B85, H87, Z87.

- Recommended Models:

- ASRock H81M-HDS (price: $35–$45) — minimal ports but stable operation.

- Gigabyte GA-B85M-D3H ($50–$60) — 4 RAM slots, supports SATA 6 Gb/s.

Selection Considerations:

- Avoid boards with damaged capacitors (a common issue with used devices).

- Update the BIOS before installing the processor (some boards require patches).

- PCIe 3.0 x16 is available, but insufficient for modern graphics cards (suitable for GTX 1650 or similar).

3. Supported Memory: DDR3L and Limitations

The Pentium G3460T only works with DDR3/DDR3L memory:

- Maximum Capacity: 32 GB (theoretically), but practically 16 GB (2x8 GB).

- Frequencies: Up to 1600 MHz (overclocking to 1866 MHz is possible but unstable).

Tips:

- Use dual-channel mode (2x4 GB or 2x8 GB) to enhance graphics performance.

- DDR3L (1.35V) is preferable due to lower power consumption.

4. Power Supplies: Minimum Requirements

With a TDP of 35 W, the processor does not require a powerful PSU:

- Without a discrete graphics card: A 300 W power supply is sufficient (for example, be quiet! SFX Power 3, $40).

- With a graphics card: For GTX 1650 — 450 W (Corsair CX450, $55).

Important:

- Cheap PSUs without an 80 Plus certification may cause instability.

- Use Flex ATX or TFX formats for compact builds.

5. Pros and Cons of the Pentium G3460T

Pros:

- Price: New processors available for leftover stock — $45–$60.

- Energy efficiency: Ideal for NAS or media center usage.

- Quiet operation: Passive cooling is possible.

Cons:

- 2 cores: Multitasking is limited.

- No support for DDR4/DDR5: Memory performance is 20-30% lower compared to modern standards.

- Outdated graphics: Struggles with 4K HDR.

6. Use Cases: Who Is It Relevant for in 2025?

- Office PCs: Word, Excel, Zoom — sufficient, but limited for background tasks.

- Home Theater: Watching Full HD via Kodi or Plex (4K requires a third-party player with hardware decoding).

- Servers: Lightweight NAS based on OpenMediaVault.

Real-world Example:

A user built a media center on the G3460T with a 256 GB SSD and 8 GB of RAM. Streaming operates smoothly, but there are minor stutters when running torrents concurrently with video playback.

7. Comparison with Competitors

AMD Athlon 3000G (price: $65–$75):

- 2 cores/4 threads, Vega 3 graphics.

- Supports DDR4 (up to 2666 MHz).

- Better in multi-threaded tasks (+30% in Cinebench R23).

Intel Celeron G6900 (price: $75–$85):

- 2 cores/2 threads, but Alder Lake architecture (10 nm).

- Support for DDR4-3200, UHD 710 graphics.

- 50% faster in single-threaded tests.

Conclusion: The G3460T only wins on price but falls short in performance and features.

8. Practical Assembly Tips

- SSD is Mandatory: Kingston A400 240 GB ($25) will reduce load times.

- Cooling: The stock cooler is sufficient, but for quiet operation, consider the Arctic Alpine 11 ($15).

- Motherboard: Don't overspend on Z87 — overclocking is not possible.

- Upgrade: Consider replacing with a used Core i5-4590T ($30–$40) for 4 cores.

9. Final Assessment: Who Is the Pentium G3460T Suitable For?

You should choose this processor if:

- Budget is strictly limited ($100–$150 for the entire build).

- You need a PC for simple tasks (office, surfing, media player).

- Low power consumption is important (HTPC, 24/7 operation).

Alternative: If your budget allows for an additional $20–$30, the AMD Athlon 3000G or Intel Celeron G6900 will offer more options for future upgrades.

Conclusion: The Pentium G3460T in 2025 is a niche solution for enthusiasts building minimalist systems. Its time has passed, but with proper use, it can still do much.

Basic

Label Name

Intel

Platform

Desktop

Launch Date

January 2015

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.

G3460T

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

3.00 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.

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.

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

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

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.

DDR3-1333/1600 | DDR3L-1333/1600 @ 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.

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).

25.6 GB/s

Bus Speed

5 GT/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 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 Base Frequency

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

200 MHz

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 (VGA)

1920x1200@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 (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

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 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 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 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 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