A8-3870K vs Celeron G3920
A8-3870K
Celeron G3920
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The A8-3870K is positioned at rank 502 and the Celeron G3920 is on rank 364, so the Celeron G3920 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar A8-3870K
Performance Per Dollar Celeron G3920
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | A8-3870K | Celeron G3920 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Llano (2011−2012) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | A8-3870K | Celeron G3920 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of A8-3870K and Celeron G3920
A8-3870K
The A8-3870K is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Llano (2011−2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM1. Thermal design power (TDP): 100 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,360 points. Launch price was $90.
Celeron G3920
The Celeron G3920 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,358 points. Launch price was $52.
Processing Power
The A8-3870K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Celeron G3920 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the A8-3870K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the A8-3870K versus 2.9 GHz on the Celeron G3920 — a 3.4% clock advantage for the A8-3870K (base: 3 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The A8-3870K uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Celeron G3920 uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A8-3870K scores 2,360 against the Celeron G3920's 2,358 — a 0.1% lead for the A8-3870K. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 380 vs 699, a 59.1% lead for the Celeron G3920 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-3870K vs 4 MB (total) on the Celeron G3920.
| Feature | A8-3870K | Celeron G3920 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 3 GHz+3% | 2.9 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3 GHz+3% | 2.9 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 4 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core)+300% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 14 nm-56% |
| Architecture | Llano (2011−2012) | Skylake (2015−2016) |
| PassMark | 2,360 | 2,358 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 380 | 699+84% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 948 |
Memory & Platform
The A8-3870K uses the FM1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron G3920 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the A8-3870K versus DDR4-2133 on the Celeron G3920 — the Celeron G3920 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron G3920 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (A8-3870K) vs 16 (Celeron G3920) — the A8-3870K offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A55,A75 (A8-3870K) and H110,B150,H170,Z170 (Celeron G3920).
| Feature | A8-3870K | Celeron G3920 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FM1 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1866 | DDR4-2133+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 64 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20+25% | 16 |
Advanced Features
Only the A8-3870K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A8-3870K) vs VT-x (Celeron G3920). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon HD 6550D (A8-3870K) and HD Graphics 510 (Celeron G3920) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A8-3870K targets Budget Gaming Desktop, Celeron G3920 targets Budget. Direct competitor: A8-3870K rivals Core i3-2125; Celeron G3920 rivals Pentium G4400.
| Feature | A8-3870K | Celeron G3920 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Radeon HD 6550D | HD Graphics 510 |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x |
| Target Use | Budget Gaming Desktop | Budget |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on A8-3870K and Celeron G3920
