Celeron 887 vs Pentium G2120

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 887 vs Pentium G2120 FPS Benchmarks

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

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Celeron 887 vs Pentium G2120: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron 887

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 17W instead of 55W, a 38W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).

Pentium G2120

2012

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,876 vs 1,877).
❌223.5% higher power demand at 55W vs 17W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron 887 better than Pentium G2120?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium G2120 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, Celeron 887 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Pentium G2120 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, Celeron 887 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron 887 is the better buy right now. Celeron 887 comes in in basically the same MSRP band at $86 MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Pentium G2120 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 0.1% better value on MSRP (21.8 vs 21.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Celeron 887 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron 887 vs Pentium G2120 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron 887

The Celeron 887 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.5 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,877 points. Launch price was $86.

Pentium G2120

The Pentium G2120 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,876 points. Launch price was $88.

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Processing Power

Both the Celeron 887 and Pentium G2120 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.5 GHz on the Celeron 887 versus 3.1 GHz on the Pentium G2120 — a 69.6% clock advantage for the Pentium G2120 (base: 1.5 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Celeron 887 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium G2120 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 887 scores 1,877 against the Pentium G2120's 1,876 — a 0.1% lead for the Celeron 887. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron 887 vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G2120.

Feature	Celeron 887	Pentium G2120
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.5 GHz	3.1 GHz+107%
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	3.1 GHz+107%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	1,877	1,876
Geekbench 6 Single	233	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	415	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron 887 uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium G2120 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Celeron 887 versus DDR3-1600 on the Pentium G2120 — the Pentium G2120 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Pentium G2120 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 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Celeron 887	Pentium G2120
Socket	BGA1023	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR3-1600+20%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	32 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge) (Celeron 887) and HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge) (Pentium G2120) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 887 targets Laptop, Pentium G2120 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Celeron 887 rivals Pentium 967.

Feature	Celeron 887	Pentium G2120
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)	HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x
Target Use	Laptop	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron 887 was priced at $86, while the Pentium G2120 came in at $86. On launch pricing ($86 vs $86), Pentium G2120 was $0 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron 887 delivers 21.8 pts/$ vs 21.8 pts/$ for the Pentium G2120 — making the Celeron 887 the 0.1% better value option.

Feature	Celeron 887	Pentium G2120
MSRP	$86	$86
Performance per Dollar	21.8	21.8
Release Date	2012	2012

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