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Intel Pentium Gold G5420

Intel Pentium Gold G5420: A Budget Processor for Basic Tasks in 2025

Introduction

The Intel Pentium Gold G5420 processor, released in 2019, remains a popular choice for budget builds. Despite its age, it delivers sufficient performance for everyday tasks. In 2025, it can be found for a reduced price (around $50–60), making it attractive for office PCs, media centers, and simple home systems. Let’s explore who this CPU is suitable for and what pitfalls to consider.

Key Specifications: Coffee Lake in Miniature

Architecture and Manufacturing Process

The Pentium Gold G5420 is built on the Coffee Lake architecture with a 14-nanometer manufacturing process. It is a dual-core processor with Hyper-Threading support (4 threads), allowing it to handle multitasking more effectively. The base clock speed is 3.8 GHz with no turbo boost.

Key Features:

- Integrated graphics Intel UHD Graphics 610 — suitable for outputting to 4K monitors and lightweight gaming.

- Supports DDR4-2400 in dual-channel mode.

- Low power consumption (TDP 54 W), which simplifies the choice of cooling system.

Performance:

- In the Geekbench 6 benchmark, the processor scores 764 points in single-threaded mode and 1515 in multi-threaded mode. For comparison, modern Core i3 13th generation processors score 2–3 times higher but are 4–5 times more expensive.

Compatible Motherboards: What to Choose in 2025

Socket and Chipsets

The processor uses the LGA 1151 (v2) socket, compatible with chipsets H310, B360, H370, Z390. By 2025, new motherboards for this socket are no longer produced, but they can be found in stock or on the secondary market.

Recommendations:

- ASUS Prime H310M-K — a simple and reliable motherboard (price around $60–70).

- Gigabyte B360M DS3H — an option with 4 RAM slots and M.2 for SSDs ($70–80).

Important:

- Check the BIOS version — some motherboards require an update to work with the Pentium G5420.

- Avoid Z-series chipsets — their functionality (overclocking) is excessive for this processor.

Memory: DDR4 and Dual-Channel Mode

The Pentium G5420 supports DDR4-2400 in dual-channel configuration. The maximum capacity is 64 GB (officially), but for basic tasks, 8–16 GB is sufficient.

Example Build:

- 2 modules of 4 GB DDR4-2400 — activating dual-channel mode will increase integrated graphics performance by 15–20%.

- For a media center, 8 GB is adequate; for an office PC, 16 GB is advisable if you plan to work with many browser tabs.

DDR5 is not supported — this is a limitation of the Coffee Lake architecture.

Power Supply: Minimal Cost

With a TDP of 54 W, the Pentium G5420 does not require a powerful power supply. Even considering a discrete graphics card like the GTX 1650, a power supply of 400–450 W will suffice.

Recommendations:

- Be Quiet! System Power 10 450W ($45–50) — a quiet and reliable option.

- For systems without a graphics card, a 300 W power supply will do (e.g., FSP Hyper K 300W, $30).

Tip: Don’t skimp on the power supply — cheap models may fail and damage components.

Pros and Cons: Who Should Consider This?

Pros:

- Price — one of the most affordable processors on the market.

- Energy Efficiency — suitable for compact cases.

- Integrated Graphics — no need to purchase a separate graphics card.

Cons:

- 2 cores — a weak point in 2025. Even browsers and office applications actively utilize multithreading.

- Limited Upgrade Path — switching to a more powerful CPU will require a motherboard replacement.

- Outdated Manufacturing Process — 14 nm compared to competitors with 7–10 nm.

Use Cases: Where G5420 is Relevant

1. Office Tasks

- Working with documents, email, video conferencing.

- Example: A system based on G5420 + 8 GB RAM + 256 GB SSD will handle Microsoft Office and 10+ Chrome tabs well.

2. Multimedia

- Watching 4K video (via HDMI 1.4), streaming services.

- Tip: For HDR content, it's better to use an external media player (e.g., NVIDIA Shield), as UHD 610 has limited HDR support.

3. Light Gaming

- CS:GO — 720p, low settings, 40–50 FPS.

- Minecraft — up to 60 FPS at Full HD with optimized settings.

Comparison with Competitors

AMD Ryzen 3 3200G (Price $80–90)

- 4 cores/4 threads, Vega 8 Graphics.

- Better in multitasking and gaming, but more expensive.

Intel Celeron G5905 (Price $40)

- 2 cores/2 threads, UHD 610.

- The Pentium G5420 wins with Hyper-Threading support.

Conclusion: The G5420 is a sweet spot between Celeron and Ryzen 3 for those who prioritize price.

Practical Assembly Tips

1. SSD is a Must — even a budget Kingston A400 (240 GB, $25) will speed up system loading.

2. Don’t Overpay for a Motherboard — H310 with two RAM slots is sufficient.

3. Cooling — the boxed cooler is adequate, but for quiet operation, consider a Deepcool GAMMAXX 400 ($20).

4. Upgrade — if you plan to add a graphics card, choose a power supply with headroom.

Final Verdict: Who Should Choose the Pentium Gold G5420

You should choose this processor if:

- Your budget is limited ($200–300 for the entire build).

- You need a PC for browsing, office work, or media center use.

- There's no requirement for gaming or video editing.

Alternative: If you're willing to spend an extra $50–100, consider the Ryzen 5 5500 or Intel Core i3-12100 — they will provide a performance cushion for the future.

The Pentium G5420 is an example of a "workhorse" that handles basic tasks without unnecessary expenses. In 2025, it remains a niche but still relevant solution.

Basic

Label Name

Intel

Platform

Desktop

Launch Date

April 2019

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.

G5420

Code Name

Coffee Lake

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

3.80 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.

Yes

CPU Socket

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

FCLGA1151

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.

14 nm

TDP

54 W

Max. Operating Temperature

Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.

100°C

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.

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.

DDR4-2400

Max Memory Size

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

64 GB

Memory Channels

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

Bus Speed

8 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).

37.5 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® UHD Graphics 610

Graphics Base Frequency

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

350 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.

1.05 GHz

Graphics Video Max Memory

64 GB

4K Support

Yes | at 60Hz

DirectX Support

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

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.

4096x2304@24Hz

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.

4096x2304@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.

4096x2304@60Hz

Number of Displays Supported

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.

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.

4 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.

Yes

Intel Boot Guard

Intel® Device Protection Technology with Boot Guard helps protect the system’s pre-OS environment from viruses and malicious software attacks.

Yes

Intel Clear Video HD Technology

Intel® Clear Video HD Technology, like its predecessor, Intel® Clear Video Technology, is a suite of image decode and processing technologies built into the integrated processor graphics that improve video playback, delivering cleaner, sharper images, more natural, accurate, and vivid colors, and a clear and stable video picture. Intel® Clear Video HD Technology adds video quality enhancements for richer color and more realistic skin tones.

Yes

Intel Clear Video Technology

Yes

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

Intel InTru 3D Technology

Yes

Intel OS Guard

Yes

OpenGL Support

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

4.5

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

764

Geekbench 6

Multi Core Score

1515

Geekbench 5

Single Core Score

883

Geekbench 5

Multi Core Score

1931

Passmark CPU

Single Core Score

2247

Passmark CPU

Multi Core Score

3701

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 6 Single Core

Xeon Silver 4114

887 +16.1%

Xeon D-1553N

829 +8.5%

Pentium Gold G5420

764

Pentium G4560

706 -7.6%

Pentium G4600T

658 -13.9%

Geekbench 6 Multi Core

Core i3-4350

1827 +20.6%

Core i5-6200U

1656 +9.3%

Pentium Gold G5420

1515

PRO A10-9700E

1354 -10.6%

A10-7860K

1182 -22%

Geekbench 5 Single Core

Core i7-4790S

919 +4.1%

Core i5-8279U

900 +1.9%

Pentium Gold G5420

883

Core i5-6600T

870 -1.5%

Xeon Silver 4215R

855 -3.2%

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

Core i3-1115G4E

2228 +15.4%

Pentium Gold G6400E

2071 +7.3%

Pentium Gold G5420

1931

Athlon 220GE

1802 -6.7%

FX-4300

1658 -14.1%

Passmark CPU Single Core

Xeon E3-1240 v5

2306 +2.6%

Xeon Gold 6226

2277 +1.3%

Pentium Gold G5420

2247

Core i7-5850HQ

2219 -1.2%

Xeon E3-1270 v3

2196 -2.3%

Passmark CPU Multi Core

Core i5-2500K

4121 +11.3%

Core i5-7360U

3894 +5.2%

Pentium Gold G5420

3701

A8-7680

3522 -4.8%

Core i7-2635QM

3347 -9.6%