Celeron 887 vs Pentium G3220

Intel

Celeron 887

2 Cores2 Thrd17 WWMax: 1.5 GHz2012
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Pentium G3220

2 Cores2 Thrd54 WWMax: 3 GHz2013
Similar parts
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Celeron 887 vs Pentium G3220 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.

Celeron 887 vs Pentium G3220 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 887 vs Pentium G3220: 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

  • Draws 17W instead of 54W, a 37W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,877 vs 1,885).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.8 vs 34.9 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $54 MSRP).

Pentium G3220

2013

Why buy it

  • +50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
  • Costs $32 less on MSRP ($54 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
  • Delivers 59.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 34.9 vs 21.8 PassMark/$ ($54 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • 217.6% higher power demand at 54W vs 17W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G3220 better than Celeron 887?
Yes. Pentium G3220 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Pentium G3220 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.6% 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, Pentium G3220 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 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?
Pentium G3220 is the better buy right now. Pentium G3220 comes in $32 cheaper on MSRP at $54 MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 59.9% better value on MSRP (34.9 vs 21.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Pentium G3220 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012), 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB), and 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 G3220 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

Intel

Pentium G3220

The Pentium G3220 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 2 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 53 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,885 points. Launch price was $71.

Processing Power

Both the Celeron 887 and Pentium G3220 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.5 GHz on the Celeron 887 versus 3 GHz on the Pentium G3220 — a 66.7% clock advantage for the Pentium G3220 (base: 1.5 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Celeron 887 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium G3220 uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 887 scores 1,877 against the Pentium G3220's 1,885 — a 0.4% lead for the Pentium G3220. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron 887 vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G3220.

FeatureCeleron 887Pentium G3220
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 2
Boost Clock
1.5 GHz
3 GHz+100%
Base Clock
1.5 GHz
3 GHz+100%
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)
Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark
1,877
1,885
Geekbench 6 Single
233
Geekbench 6 Multi
415
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron 887 uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium G3220 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Pentium G3220 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.

FeatureCeleron 887Pentium G3220
Socket
BGA1023
LGA1150
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333
DDR3-1333
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 (Pentium G3220) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 887 targets Laptop, Pentium G3220 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Celeron 887 rivals Pentium 967.

FeatureCeleron 887Pentium G3220
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)
HD Graphics
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x
VT-x
Target Use
Laptop
Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron 887 was priced at $86, while the Pentium G3220 came in at $54. On launch pricing ($86 vs $54), Pentium G3220 was $32 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron 887 delivers 21.8 pts/$ vs 34.9 pts/$ for the Pentium G3220 — making the Pentium G3220 the 46.1% better value option.

FeatureCeleron 887Pentium G3220
MSRP
$86
$54-37%
Performance per Dollar
21.8
34.9+60%
Release Date
2012
2013

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