Celeron 4305U vs Core i3-2120T

Celeron 4305U

2 Cores2 Thrd15 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2019

Core i3-2120T

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2011

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Celeron 4305U

2 / 2

1,562

0.0%

1,570

+0.5%

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 Celeron 4305U is positioned at rank 109 and the Core i3-2120T is on rank 956, so the Celeron 4305U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Celeron 4305U

#31

Ryzen 5 230

MSRP: $200|Avg: $190

97%

#97

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

282%

#98

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

278%

#99

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

255%

#100

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

254%

#101

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

251%

#103

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

243%

#104

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

233%

#105

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

232%

#106

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

226%

#109

Celeron 4305U

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

100%

#110

Celeron J1850

MSRP: $82|Avg: N/A

99%

#114

Core i3-4100M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $99

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2120T

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

25220%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

23830%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

17303%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

5213%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

4129%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

3612%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

2069%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

2042%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1859%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1859%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1838%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1789%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1764%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1756%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1740%

#956

Core i3-2120T

MSRP: $127|Avg: $38

100%

#957

Phenom II X3 720

MSRP: $130|Avg: $64

100%

#958

Pentium E6300

MSRP: $84|Avg: $15

99%

#959

Core i5-661

MSRP: $196|Avg: $40

99%

#960

Core i3-4150

MSRP: $281|Avg: $70

98%

#961

Core i5-750

MSRP: $210|Avg: $30

98%

#962

Core i3-2100T

MSRP: $127|Avg: $127

98%

#963

Pentium E2210

MSRP: $84|Avg: $15

97%

#964

Core i3-560

MSRP: $138|Avg: $10

96%

#965

Core i3-550

MSRP: $138|Avg: $5

96%

#966

Core i7-980

MSRP: $583|Avg: $50

96%

#967

Pentium G3250

MSRP: $171|Avg: $25

95%

#968

Pentium E2200

MSRP: $84|Avg: $5

95%

#969

Core 2 Duo E7300

MSRP: $133|Avg: $133

95%

#970

Core i3-540

MSRP: $133|Avg: $5

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Celeron 4305U (2019) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4-2133, LPDDR3-1866, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Celeron 4305U	Core i3-2120T
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($107)	✅ More affordable ($38)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i3-2120T (2011) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Celeron 4305U	Core i3-2120T
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+183%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($107)	✅ More affordable ($38)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Celeron 4305U Benchmark Check

Core i3-2120T Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Celeron 4305U and Core i3-2120T

Celeron 4305U

The Celeron 4305U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2133, LPDDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 1,562 points. Launch price was $107.

Core i3-2120T

The Core i3-2120T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,570 points. Launch price was $50.

⚡

Processing Power

The Celeron 4305U packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-2120T's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Celeron 4305U versus 2.6 GHz on the Core i3-2120T — a 16.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-2120T (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Celeron 4305U uses the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-2120T uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 4305U scores 1,562 against the Core i3-2120T's 1,570 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i3-2120T. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron 4305U vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2120T.

Feature	Celeron 4305U	Core i3-2120T
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz	2.6 GHz+18%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.6 GHz+18%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,562	1,570
Geekbench 6 Single	—	403

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron 4305U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-2120T uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 2133 on the Celeron 4305U versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i3-2120T — the Celeron 4305U supports 199.4% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron 4305U supports up to 64 of RAM compared to 32 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Whiskey Lake-U (Celeron 4305U) and H61,B65,Q65,Q67,H67,P67,Z68,B75,Q75,Q77,H77,Z75,Z77 (Core i3-2120T).

Feature	Celeron 4305U	Core i3-2120T
Socket	FCBGA1528	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	2133+71000%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	64	32 GB+52428700%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Celeron 4305U) vs VT-x, EPT (Core i3-2120T). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 610 (Celeron 4305U) and HD Graphics 2000 (Core i3-2120T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 4305U targets Budget, Core i3-2120T targets Budget Desktop. Direct competitor: Celeron 4305U rivals Pentium Gold 5405U; Core i3-2120T rivals A6-3500.