Celeron 1020M vs Core i3-4012Y

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.

Celeron 1020M vs Core i3-4012Y 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.

Celeron 1020M vs Core i3-4012Y: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron 1020M

2013

Why buy it

✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,275 vs 1,278).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).

Core i3-4012Y

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4012Y better than Celeron 1020M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron 1020M is ahead with a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4012Y pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark. Core i3-4012Y also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4012Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-4012Y still makes the most sense overall. Core i3-4012Y comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-4012Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron 1020M vs Core i3-4012Y Technical Specifications

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

Celeron 1020M

The Celeron 1020M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,275 points. Launch price was $86.

Core i3-4012Y

The Core i3-4012Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 11.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,278 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Celeron 1020M packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-4012Y's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Celeron 1020M versus 1.5 GHz on the Core i3-4012Y — a 33.3% clock advantage for the Celeron 1020M (base: 2.1 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Celeron 1020M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i3-4012Y uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 1020M scores 1,275 against the Core i3-4012Y's 1,278 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i3-4012Y. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron 1020M vs 3 MB on the Core i3-4012Y.

Feature	Celeron 1020M	Core i3-4012Y
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.1 GHz+40%	1.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz+40%	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	3 MB+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	1,275	1,278
Geekbench 6 Single	—	485
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	988

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron 1020M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-4012Y uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. The Celeron 1020M supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Celeron 1020M) vs 12 (Core i3-4012Y) — the Celeron 1020M offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM77,HM76,HM75 (Celeron 1020M) and HM86,HM87,QM87 (Core i3-4012Y).

Feature	Celeron 1020M	Core i3-4012Y
Socket	PGA988	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR3L-1600 / LPDDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+100%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron 1020M) vs VT-x / EPT (Core i3-4012Y). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge) (Celeron 1020M) and Intel HD Graphics 4200 (Core i3-4012Y) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 1020M targets Budget, Core i3-4012Y targets Low Power. Direct competitor: Celeron 1020M rivals Pentium 2020M.

Feature	Celeron 1020M	Core i3-4012Y
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge)	Intel HD Graphics 4200
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x / EPT
Target Use	Budget	Low Power