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 G1820 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 G1820 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 G1820

2013

Why buy it

✅+12.7% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 54W instead of 512W, a 458W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (910 vs 930).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $110 MSRP, while Core i3-3120M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i3-3120M

2012

Why buy it

✅+2.2% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (440 vs 496).
❌848.1% higher power demand at 512W vs 54W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G1820 better than Core i3-3120M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron G1820 is ahead with a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-3120M pulls ahead with 2.2% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i3-3120M 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, Core i3-3120M is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.2% 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?

Celeron G1820 is the better buy right now. Celeron G1820 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $110 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i3-3120M is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 2.2% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (15.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 G1820 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 G1820 vs Core i3-3120M Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G1820

The Celeron G1820 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 December 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) 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. 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: 1,696 points. Launch price was $110.

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 G1820 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-3120M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Celeron G1820 versus 2.5 GHz on the Core i3-3120M — a 7.7% clock advantage for the Celeron G1820 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Celeron G1820 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i3-3120M uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G1820 scores 1,696 against the Core i3-3120M's 1,709 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i3-3120M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 496 vs 440, a 12% lead for the Celeron G1820 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 910 vs 930 (2.2% advantage for the Core i3-3120M). L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron G1820 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3120M.

Feature	Celeron G1820	Core i3-3120M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz+8%	2.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+8%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB	3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	1,696	1,709
Geekbench 6 Single	496+13%	440
Geekbench 6 Multi	910	930+2%

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron G1820 uses the LGA1150 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 G1820 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: H81,B85,H87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Celeron G1820) and HM76,HM77 (Core i3-3120M).

Feature	Celeron G1820	Core i3-3120M
Socket	LGA1150	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 G1820) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-3120M). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics (Haswell) (Celeron G1820) 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 G1820 targets Budget, Core i3-3120M targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: Celeron G1820 rivals Pentium G3220; Core i3-3120M rivals AMD A8-4500M.

Feature	Celeron G1820	Core i3-3120M
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics (Haswell)	Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Budget	Budget Laptop