Celeron G1620 vs Pentium G870

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 G1620 vs Pentium G870 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 G1620 vs Pentium G870: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G1620

2012

Why buy it

✅+1.5% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $34 less on MSRP ($52 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
✅Delivers 67.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 30.5 vs 18.2 PassMark/$ ($52 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

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

Pentium G870

2012

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,562 vs 1,586).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 18.2 vs 30.5 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $52 MSRP).
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron G1620 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Celeron G1620.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G1620 better than Pentium G870?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium G870 is ahead with a 2.1% average FPS lead across 31 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G1620 pulls ahead with 1.5% better PassMark. Pentium G870 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 G1620 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron G1620 is the better buy right now. Celeron G1620 comes in $34 cheaper on MSRP at $52 MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Pentium G870 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.1% average FPS lead across 31 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 67.9% better value on MSRP (30.5 vs 18.2 PassMark/$), 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 G1620 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 G1620 vs Pentium G870 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G1620

The Celeron G1620 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 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 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: 1,586 points. Launch price was $208.

Pentium G870

The Pentium G870 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) 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 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,562 points. Launch price was $97.

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Processing Power

Both the Celeron G1620 and Pentium G870 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Celeron G1620 versus 3.1 GHz on the Pentium G870 — a 13.8% clock advantage for the Pentium G870 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Celeron G1620 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium G870 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G1620 scores 1,586 against the Pentium G870's 1,562 — a 1.5% lead for the Celeron G1620. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron G1620 vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G870.

Feature	Celeron G1620	Pentium G870
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	3.1 GHz+15%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3.1 GHz+15%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,586+2%	1,562
Geekbench 6 Single	441	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	760	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1155 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Celeron G1620	Pentium G870
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, EPT (Celeron G1620) / not specified (Pentium G870). The Celeron G1620 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge GT1)), while the Pentium G870 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G1620 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Celeron G1620 rivals Pentium G2030.

Feature	Celeron G1620	Pentium G870
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge GT1)	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, EPT	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G1620 was priced at $52, while the Pentium G870 came in at $86. On launch pricing ($52 vs $86), Celeron G1620 was $34 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G1620 delivers 30.5 pts/$ vs 18.2 pts/$ for the Pentium G870 — making the Celeron G1620 the 50.7% better value option.

Feature	Celeron G1620	Pentium G870
MSRP	$52-40%	$86
Performance per Dollar	30.5+68%	18.2
Release Date	2012	2012

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