SB pentium vs core i3 gen 1

IonusX

Senior member
Dec 25, 2011
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topic.. they about even, or is one better than the other, if so which.
 

paperwastage

Golden Member
May 25, 2010
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probably the core i3 beats pentium, depending on what chip you get

core i3 1st gen i3-530 (lowest end i3) vs G850 (highest end SB Pentium)
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/118?vs=404

core i3 1st gen i3-530 (lowest end i3) vs G820 (lowest end SB Pentium)
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/118?vs=406

SB Pentium vs 1st gen i3 benchmarks/review
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4524/...-review-pentium-g850-g840-g620-g620t-tested/3


However, going for SB Pentium means you have a pretty good upgrade path (to i5 2500k, or Ivy Bridge if you get a Z68 mobo)

i3-540 is $100 on newegg, G850 is $88... if you have a microcenter nearby, i3 2100 is only $100
 
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Spikesoldier

Diamond Member
Oct 15, 2001
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the main advantage i see with the i3 5xx series is that they are OC'able and will hit 4.0+ with ease.

my i3 530 that i got on launch day to play around with made it to 4.4 without issue and maxed out at 4.6. i'm guessing that later revisions and steppings could make it even higher.
 

bononos

Diamond Member
Aug 21, 2011
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...... However, going for SB Pentium means you have a pretty good upgrade path (to i5 2500k, or Ivy Bridge if you get a Z68 mobo)

i3-540 is $100 on newegg, G850 is $88... if you have a microcenter nearby, i3 2100 is only $100

I thought that IB works on H61 and upwards and not just Z68?
 

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
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I thought that IB works on H61 and upwards and not just Z68?

Seems as if information has changed over time. Originally it was just Z68, now companies are claiming all (after BIOS update).

I wouldn't bet my life on compatibility until Ivy Bridge (and requisite BIOS updates) comes out. In the past, things have changed. Just ask anyone who got burned buying an 865PE chipset motherboard claiming "Prescott support." :rolleyes:
 

pcgeek11

Lifer
Jun 12, 2005
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Real world. I have a SB G620 and an Core I3. IMO the I3 smokes the SB Pentium.
 

gmaster456

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Sep 7, 2011
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A SB pentium will beat most core 2 duos, but I don't think it outpaces any of the Core i3's. At best they match them.
 

dma0991

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Mar 17, 2011
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Real world. I have a SB G620 and an Core I3. IMO the I3 smokes the SB Pentium.
How different in terms of performance felt during normal use? Is this a comparison between the G620 and the Core i3 2100 or something else?

I was thinking of overhauling my parent's P4 rig but I can't seem to justify the extra cost of getting the Core i3 2100 over the G620 especially when I could get a G620 + motherboard + RAM for the price of a Core i3 2100 alone.