Athlon II X3 450 vs Celeron G3900TE

AMD

Athlon II X3 450

3 Cores3 Thrd95 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2010
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Celeron G3900TE

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.3 GHz2015
Similar parts
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Athlon II X3 450 vs Celeron G3900TE Performance Spectrum

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.

Athlon II X3 450 vs Celeron G3900TE FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Athlon II X3 450 vs Celeron G3900TE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Athlon II X3 450

2010

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +4.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (AMD Stock), unlike Celeron G3900TE.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.4 vs 44.0 PassMark/$ ($87 MSRP vs $42 MSRP).
  • 171.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 35W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Celeron G3900TE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Celeron G3900TE

2015

Why buy it

  • Costs $45 less on MSRP ($42 MSRP vs $87 MSRP).
  • Delivers 105.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 44.0 vs 21.4 PassMark/$ ($42 MSRP vs $87 MSRP).
  • Draws 35W instead of 95W, a 60W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 510, while Athlon II X3 450 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Athlon II X3 450 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Geekbench multi-core (903 vs 980).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon II X3 450.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon II X3 450 better than Celeron G3900TE?
Yes. Athlon II X3 450 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 8.5% better Geekbench multi-core, and 0.8% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Athlon II X3 450 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.5% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X3 450 is the stronger fit. You are getting 8.5% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 3 cores and 3 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Athlon II X3 450 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Athlon II X3 450 comes in 107.1% more expensive on MSRP at $87 MSRP versus $42 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron G3900TE only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 105.5% better value on paper (44.0 vs 21.4 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Celeron G3900TE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon II X3 450 vs Celeron G3900TE Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

AMD

Athlon II X3 450

The Athlon II X3 450 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 21 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Rana (2009−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,865 points. Launch price was $45.

Intel

Celeron G3900TE

The Celeron G3900TE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,850 points. Launch price was $42.

Processing Power

The Athlon II X3 450 packs 3 cores / 3 threads, while the Celeron G3900TE offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Athlon II X3 450 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Athlon II X3 450 versus 2.3 GHz on the Celeron G3900TE — a 32.7% clock advantage for the Athlon II X3 450. The Athlon II X3 450 uses the Rana (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Celeron G3900TE uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X3 450 scores 1,865 against the Celeron G3900TE's 1,850 — a 0.8% lead for the Athlon II X3 450. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 380 vs 514, a 30% lead for the Celeron G3900TE that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 980 vs 903 (8.2% advantage for the Athlon II X3 450). L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X3 450 vs 2 MB on the Celeron G3900TE.

FeatureAthlon II X3 450Celeron G3900TE
Cores / Threads
3 / 3+50%
2 / 2
Boost Clock
3.2 GHz+39%
2.3 GHz
Base Clock
3.2 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
2 MB
L2 Cache
512 kB (per core)
512 kB
Process
45 nm
14 nm-69%
Architecture
Rana (2009−2011)
Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark
1,865
1,850
Geekbench 6 Single
380
514+35%
Geekbench 6 Multi
980+9%
903
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X3 450 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron G3900TE uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X3 450 versus DDR4-2133 on the Celeron G3900TE — the Celeron G3900TE supports 60% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron G3900TE supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: 760G,780G,790GX,880G,970,990FX (Athlon II X3 450) and H110,Q170 (Celeron G3900TE).

FeatureAthlon II X3 450Celeron G3900TE
Socket
AM3
LGA1151
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333
DDR4-2133+60%
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
64 GB+100%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon II X3 450) vs VT-x, VT-d (Celeron G3900TE). The Celeron G3900TE includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 510), while the Athlon II X3 450 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon II X3 450 targets Desktop, Celeron G3900TE targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Celeron G3900TE rivals Pentium G4400T.

FeatureAthlon II X3 450Celeron G3900TE
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics 510
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Desktop
Embedded
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon II X3 450 was priced at $87, while the Celeron G3900TE came in at $42. On launch pricing ($87 vs $42), Celeron G3900TE was $45 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X3 450 delivers 21.4 pts/$ vs 44.0 pts/$ for the Celeron G3900TE — making the Celeron G3900TE the 69.1% better value option.

FeatureAthlon II X3 450Celeron G3900TE
MSRP
$87
$42-52%
Performance per Dollar
21.4
44.0+106%
Release Date
2010
2015

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