Celeron 3955U vs Core i3-4020Y

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 3955U vs Core i3-4020Y 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 3955U vs Core i3-4020Y: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron 3955U

2015

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 512W, a 497W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,443 vs 1,448).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).

Core i3-4020Y

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

Trade-offs

❌3313.3% higher power demand at 512W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron 3955U better than Core i3-4020Y?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron 3955U is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4020Y pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark. Core i3-4020Y 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 i3-4020Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% 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?

Celeron 3955U still makes the most sense overall. Celeron 3955U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Celeron 3955U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron 3955U vs Core i3-4020Y Technical Specifications

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

Celeron 3955U

The Celeron 3955U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 August 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, LPDDR3-1600/1866, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,443 points. Launch price was $107.

Core i3-4020Y

The Core i3-4020Y 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: 1,448 points. Launch price was $304.

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Processing Power

The Celeron 3955U packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-4020Y's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Celeron 3955U versus 1.5 GHz on the Core i3-4020Y — a 28.6% clock advantage for the Celeron 3955U (base: 2 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Celeron 3955U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-4020Y uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 3955U scores 1,443 against the Core i3-4020Y's 1,448 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-4020Y. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron 3955U vs 3 MB on the Core i3-4020Y.

Feature	Celeron 3955U	Core i3-4020Y
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2 GHz+33%	1.5 GHz
Base Clock	2 GHz+33%	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB	3 MB+50%
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	1,443	1,448
Geekbench 6 Single	431	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	741	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron 3955U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-4020Y uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Celeron 3955U versus 1600 on the Core i3-4020Y — the Celeron 3955U supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron 3955U 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. Both provide 12 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Sunrise Point-LP (Celeron 3955U) and BGA1168 (Core i3-4020Y).

Feature	Celeron 3955U	Core i3-4020Y
Socket	BGA1356	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133+33%	1600
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+100%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12	12

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Celeron 3955U) vs true (Core i3-4020Y). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 510 (Celeron 3955U) and Intel HD Graphics 4200 (Core i3-4020Y) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 3955U targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 3955U rivals Pentium 3825U.