Intel BX80684G5420
The dual-core, four-thread Pentium Gold G5420 runs at a 3.8 GHz base clock with Intel UHD Graphics 610 and a 54W TDP, making it a low-power option for basic desktop tasks. It supports DDR4 memory and Intel Optane, and includes a boxed cooler, though a BIOS update may be needed for 300-series motherboards. This processor suits budget-conscious users building an entry-level office or home PC for web browsing, document work, and light media playback.
Aperçu
The 30-Second Version
A cheap, low-power dual-core that's perfect for basic office work and absolutely nothing else. Buy it used for under USD 60, not new for over USD 200.
Pros & Cons
Points forts
- Dirt cheap on the used market 84th
- Low 54W power draw keeps electricity bills happy 84th
- Includes a boxed cooler, no extra purchase needed 70th
- Single-thread performance is surprisingly usable 67th
Points faibles
- Only 2 cores, multitasking gets cramped fast
- Multi-thread performance is well below average
- Requires a 300-series motherboard, BIOS update may be needed
- Integrated UHD 610 graphics are basically a slideshow for anything 3D
L'avis des propriétaires
The Word on the Street
Les preuves
Performance
The 3.8GHz base clock is actually decent for a budget part, and the single-thread score of 2207 puts it right around average for its class. But the multi-thread score of 3751 is where the two cores start to show their age. It's fine for opening Chrome tabs and running Office, but don't expect to render video or run modern games. The 54W TDP is nice and low, so it runs cool and quiet with the included boxed cooler.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| Brand | Intel |
| Series | Pentium Gold |
| Model | G5420 |
| Codename | Coffee Lake |
| Class | desktop |
| Process | 14 |
Cores & Clocks
| Cores | 2 |
| Threads | 4 |
| Base Clock | 3800 |
| Boost Clock | 1050 |
Cache
| L2 Cache | 0.5 |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB |
Performance
| PassMark Multi | 3751 |
| PassMark Single | 2207 |
Memory
| Memory Type | DDR4 |
| Max Speed | 2400 |
| Channels | 2 |
Platform & Power
| Socket | LGA 1151 |
| PCIe | 3 |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 |
| TDP | 54 |
| Unlocked | No |
Graphics & AI
| Integrated Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 610 |
vs Competition
Against something like the AMD Ryzen 5 5500, the G5420 gets absolutely demolished in multi-threaded work. The Ryzen has six cores and twelve threads, so it's no contest for anything beyond basic tasks. But the G5420's single-thread score holds up better than you'd expect from a Pentium. If you're building a cheap office PC or a home server that just needs to exist, the G5420 makes sense. If you want to do any real work or gaming, save up for the Ryzen.
| Spec | Intel BX80684G5420 | AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D | SMC EPYC 9555P | HP Xeon 6526Y | D&H Core i9 BX80673I99960X | MICRO CENTER 9950X3DMAGX870ETMKWF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cores | 2 | 8 | 64 | 16 | 16 | - |
| Threads | 4 | 16 | 128 | 32 | 32 | - |
| Boost Clock Mhz | 1050 | 5200 | 4400 | 3900 | 4400 | - |
| L3 Cache Mb | 4 | 96 | 256 | 37 | 22 | - |
| Tdp W | 54 | 120 | 360 | 195 | 165 | - |
| Socket | LGA 1151 | AM5 | AMD Socket SP5 | LGA 4677 | LGA 2066 | - |
| Integrated Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 610 | AMD Radeon Graphics | - | No | - | - |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Produit | AI | Feature | Platform | Efficiency | Multi Thread | Preuve sociale | Affordability | Single Thread |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel BX80684G5420 | 30.2 | 70.1 | 67.1 | 46.6 | 35 | 84.3 | 84.1 | 63.8 |
| AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Compare | 91.6 | 98.5 | 95.2 | 88.8 | 89.1 | 96.4 | 23.5 | 95 |
| SMC EPYC 9555P Compare | 99.3 | 77.4 | 96.7 | 89.6 | 99.4 | 0 | 0.4 | 85.8 |
| HP Xeon 6526Y Compare | 92.1 | 77.4 | 90.8 | 79.3 | 89.9 | 0 | 2.7 | 80.5 |
| D&H Core i9 BX80673I99960X Compare | 89.1 | 63 | 81.7 | 75.1 | 84.5 | 70.7 | 17.5 | 73.8 |
| MICRO CENTER 9950X3DMAGX870ETMKWF Compare | 85.8 | 20.7 | 17.4 | 66.8 | 97 | 0 | 6.4 | 98.3 |
Prix
Value & Pricing
The price spread on this thing is wild. In the US you can find it from USD 34 to USD 224, which means some sellers are absolutely dreaming. At the low end, it's a steal for a basic office or home PC. At the high end, you're getting robbed. The best deal we're seeing is on Amazon at the lower end of that range. If you're paying more than USD 60 for this chip, you're doing it wrong.
Amazon 1 offre À partir de 12 800 JPY
Nous suivons les prix de ce produit depuis le 9 nov. 2026. Le graphique apparaîtra dès que nous aurons plus de données.
En savoir plus
Overview
The Intel Pentium Gold G5420 is the budget CPU you buy when you just need a computer that turns on and does basic stuff without complaining. It's a dual-core, four-thread chip from the Coffee Lake era, and honestly, it's still kicking for office work, web browsing, and light media. The one thing to know: this is not a performance chip, it's a 'get the job done cheap' chip.
Common Questions
Q: Can this CPU handle gaming?
Not really. The integrated UHD 610 graphics are fine for solitaire and 2D games, but anything 3D from the last decade will struggle. You'd need a dedicated GPU, and even then the dual-core CPU will bottleneck most modern games.
Q: Do I need a special motherboard for this?
Yes, you need a board with an Intel 300-series chipset and an LGA 1151 socket. Some boards may need a BIOS update before they'll recognize the chip, so check your motherboard manufacturer's support page first.
Q: Is the included cooler good enough?
For this chip, absolutely. It's only 54W, so the stock Intel cooler keeps it cool and quiet. No need to spend extra on aftermarket cooling unless you're building in a tiny case with bad airflow.
Who Should Skip This
If you're looking for a CPU to game on, edit video, or run heavy multitasking workloads, this isn't it. Go get a Ryzen 5 5500 or even a used Ryzen 3 instead. You'll get way more cores and way more performance for not much more money.
Verdict
The Pentium Gold G5420 is a fine chip for what it is: a cheap, low-power CPU for basic computing. If you're building a PC for grandma to check email and watch YouTube, this is perfect. If you want to do anything more demanding, look elsewhere. At the right price, it's a solid buy. At the wrong price, it's a trap.
