Celeron G1630 vs Core i3-3120M

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 G1630 vs Core i3-3120M 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 G1630 vs Core i3-3120M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G1630

2013

Why buy it

✅Draws 55W instead of 512W, a 457W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (386 vs 440).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (635 vs 930).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $42 MSRP, while Core i3-3120M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i3-3120M

2012

Why buy it

✅+14% 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 i3-3120M better than Celeron G1630?

Yes. Core i3-3120M 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, 46.5% better Geekbench multi-core, and 0.1% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-3120M 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, Core i3-3120M is the stronger fit. You are getting 46.5% better Geekbench multi-core, 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 i3-3120M is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-3120M comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $42 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron G1630 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2013 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (40.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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?

Celeron G1630 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron G1630 vs Core i3-3120M Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G1630

The Celeron G1630 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 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: 1,707 points. Launch price was $80.

Core i3-3120M

The Core i3-3120M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,709 points. Launch price was $160.

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Processing Power

The Celeron G1630 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-3120M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Celeron G1630 versus 2.5 GHz on the Core i3-3120M — a 11.3% clock advantage for the Celeron G1630 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). Both are built on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Celeron G1630 scores 1,707 against the Core i3-3120M's 1,709 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i3-3120M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 386 vs 440, a 13.1% lead for the Core i3-3120M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 635 vs 930 (37.7% advantage for the Core i3-3120M). L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron G1630 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3120M.

Feature	Celeron G1630	Core i3-3120M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+12%	2.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+12%	2.5 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)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	1,707	1,709
Geekbench 6 Single	386	440+14%
Geekbench 6 Multi	635	930+46%

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron G1630 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-3120M uses PGA988 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Celeron G1630 versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-3120M — the Core i3-3120M supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H61,B75,H77,Z77 (Celeron G1630) and HM76,HM77 (Core i3-3120M).

Feature	Celeron G1630	Core i3-3120M
Socket	LGA1155	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR3-1600+20%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G1630) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-3120M). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge) (Celeron G1630) and Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i3-3120M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G1630 targets Budget, Core i3-3120M targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: Celeron G1630 rivals Pentium G2030; Core i3-3120M rivals AMD A8-4500M.

Feature	Celeron G1630	Core i3-3120M
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge)	Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Budget	Budget Laptop