Intel Pentium G3258 socket: LGA 1150

What the Pentium G3258 is

The Pentium G3258 Anniversary Edition is an unlocked Haswell dual core for budget tuning on LGA 1150. Intel set two cores and two threads at 3.2 GHz with 3 MB of Smart Cache. Power is 53 W on 22 nm from June 2014. The multiplier is unlocked despite no K suffix, which makes it singular among Haswell Pentiums.

Unlocked ratio allows higher clocks on Z87 and Z97 boards with adequate cooling. At stock 3.2 GHz it matches the G3250 in office work. Tuned to 4.0 GHz and above it lifts single thread games of its era, though two threads still limit modern multitasking. A capable tower cooler and a solid VRM matter once voltage rises. Many buyers pair it with a mid range 2014 card for 1080p experiments.

Intel HD Graphics for 4th Generation processors from 350 MHz to 1.1 GHz covers setup without a card. DDR3-1333 and DDR3L-1333 in two channels to 32 GB feed the chip. The Anniversary tag marks 20 years of Pentium. It is a fun low cost Haswell for learners who want safe first overclocks.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The G3258 fits LGA 1150 on 8 series and 9 series boards, but unlocked tuning needs Z87 or Z97 for ratio control. H81, B85, H87 and H97 run it at stock 3.2 GHz. Haswell is native on both series, so stock use needs no BIOS step in most cases. Check the maker CPU list for the minimum BIOS that allows multiplier changes.

The 75 × 75 mm mount takes larger towers for tuned heat. The CPU cooler compatibility by socket guide helps size cooling. Chips for LGA 1151 never fit. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide explains Z versus H series limits.

For tuning, pick Z97 with good power stages and DDR3 that tolerates higher base clocks. Keep voltage modest for daily use.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

DDR3-1333 and DDR3L-1333 across two channels to 32 GB is the rated memory. Faster DDR3 kits work through XMP on Z boards once tuned. Dual channel pairs aid both CPU and integrated graphics. Eight gigabytes suits test benches with an SSD.

Sixteen PCIe 3.0 lanes from the CPU feed a graphics slot. Budget builders of 2014 often paired this chip with a GTX 750 Ti class card for 1080p. Chipset lanes add SATA and USB for the rest. Lane layout follows the board, so manual checks matter for dual card plans that this dual core rarely needs.

Cooling at stock fits the boxed 53 W unit. Tuned use wants a tower with 120 mm fans for headroom. The 37.5 × 37.5 mm FCLGA1150 package is easy to cool at stock, but tuned power climbs with voltage.

Upgrade paths

On the same socket the Intel Pentium G3250 at 3.2 GHz is the locked twin for office use on cheaper boards. The Intel Core i3-4150 at 3.5 GHz with four threads is the non tuning step for multitasking. Both share DDR3 and LGA 1150 mounting.

A larger core count needs a Core i5 or i7 such as the Intel Core i7-4790K on Z97, with new cooling and power planning. The G3258 covers learners and collectors who want an unlocked Haswell dual core.