AMD vs. Pentium: 2024 Performance, Price & Power Showdown
AMD is the brand behind Ryzen CPUs; Pentium is Intel’s entry-level line. They’re different families, not rivals from the same maker.
Shoppers see “Pentium” on cheap laptops and assume it equals “Intel power,” while AMD’s budget Ryzen 3 gets overlooked. The mix-up happens because both target the same sticker price under $400, so people lump them together.
Key Differences
Ryzen 3 4100 scores 9,500 in PassMark; Pentium Gold G7400 hits 6,800. At idle, Ryzen sips 7 W, Pentium 12 W. Street price: $75 vs $65.
Which One Should You Choose?
Need snappy web tabs and light gaming? Ryzen 3 wins. Pentium still rocks for silent office boxes where raw speed isn’t the goal.
Can a Pentium run Windows 11?
Yes, G7400 and newer meet TPM 2.0 requirements; older Pentiums need workarounds.
Does AMD use more battery?
No, 6 nm Ryzen laptops last 8–10 hours real-world; Pentium laptops average 6–7 hours.
Are Pentiums obsolete in 2024?
Not yet; they still ship in bulk education and kiosk PCs where cost trumps performance.