Celeron G1610 vs Core i5-4200Y

Intel

Celeron G1610

2 Cores2 Thrd55 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2012
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i5-4200Y

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 1.9 GHz2013
Similar parts
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Celeron G1610 vs Core i5-4200Y 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 G1610 vs Core i5-4200Y 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 G1610 vs Core i5-4200Y: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G1610

2012

Why buy it

  • Draws 55W instead of 512W, a 457W reduction.
  • 33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (456 vs 574).
  • Lower PassMark (1,550 vs 1,558).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
  • Launch MSRP is still $42 MSRP, while Core i5-4200Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i5-4200Y

2013

Why buy it

  • +25.9% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
  • +50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

Trade-offs

  • 830.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 55W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4200Y better than Celeron G1610?
Yes. Core i5-4200Y is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% 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, Core i5-4200Y is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.1% 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, Core i5-4200Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% 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 i5-4200Y is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-4200Y comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $42 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron G1610 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (36.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-4200Y 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 / 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 G1610 vs Core i5-4200Y Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Celeron G1610

The Celeron G1610 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 December 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 2 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: 1,550 points. Launch price was $388.

Intel

Core i5-4200Y

The Core i5-4200Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 11.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,558 points. Launch price was $297.

Processing Power

The Celeron G1610 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-4200Y's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Celeron G1610 versus 1.9 GHz on the Core i5-4200Y — a 31.1% clock advantage for the Celeron G1610 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 1.4 GHz). The Celeron G1610 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-4200Y uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G1610 scores 1,550 against the Core i5-4200Y's 1,558 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-4200Y. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 456 vs 574, a 22.9% lead for the Core i5-4200Y that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron G1610 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-4200Y.

FeatureCeleron G1610Core i5-4200Y
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 4
Boost Clock
2.6 GHz+37%
1.9 GHz
Base Clock
2.6 GHz+86%
1.4 GHz
L3 Cache
2 MB (total)
3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
256K (per core)
Process
22 nm
22 nm
Architecture
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark
1,550
1,558
Geekbench 6 Single
456
574+26%
Geekbench 6 Multi
778
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Memory & Platform

The Celeron G1610 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-4200Y uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Celeron G1610 versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i5-4200Y — the Core i5-4200Y supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron G1610 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 G1610) vs 12 (Core i5-4200Y) — the Celeron G1610 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H61,B75,H77,Z77 (Celeron G1610) and HM86,HM87,QM87 (Core i5-4200Y).

FeatureCeleron G1610Core i5-4200Y
Socket
LGA1155
FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333
DDR3L-1600+20%
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB+100%
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
Yes
No
PCIe Lanes
16+33%
12
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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G1610) vs VT-x, EPT (Core i5-4200Y). Both include integrated graphics HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge) (Celeron G1610) and HD Graphics 4200 (Core i5-4200Y) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G1610 targets Budget, Core i5-4200Y targets Tablet/2-in-1. Direct competitor: Celeron G1610 rivals Pentium G2020; Core i5-4200Y rivals A4-5150M.

FeatureCeleron G1610Core i5-4200Y
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge)
HD Graphics 4200
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x
VT-x, EPT
Target Use
Budget
Tablet/2-in-1