Celeron G1820 vs Core i7-2617M

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 i7-2617M 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 i7-2617M: 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

✅+10.7% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $110 MSRP, while Core i7-2617M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌217.6% higher power demand at 54W vs 17W.

Core i7-2617M

2011

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 17W instead of 54W, a 37W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (448 vs 496).
❌Lower PassMark (1,687 vs 1,696).

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G1820 better than Core i7-2617M?

Yes. Celeron G1820 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.3% 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, Celeron G1820 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.3% 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, Celeron G1820 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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 $110 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (15.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron G1820 vs Core i7-2617M 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 i7-2617M

The Core i7-2617M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,687 points. Launch price was $100.

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Processing Power

The Celeron G1820 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i7-2617M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Celeron G1820 versus 2.6 GHz on the Core i7-2617M — a 3.8% clock advantage for the Celeron G1820 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Celeron G1820 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-2617M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G1820 scores 1,696 against the Core i7-2617M's 1,687 — a 0.5% lead for the Celeron G1820. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 496 vs 448, a 10.2% lead for the Celeron G1820 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron G1820 vs 4 MB on the Core i7-2617M.

Feature	Celeron G1820	Core i7-2617M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz+4%	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+80%	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB	4 MB+100%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,696	1,687
Geekbench 6 Single	496+11%	448
Geekbench 6 Multi	910	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron G1820 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-2617M uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Celeron G1820 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H81,B85,H87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Celeron G1820) and HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67,UM67 (Core i7-2617M).

Feature	Celeron G1820	Core i7-2617M
Socket	LGA1150	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+300%	8 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, EPT (Core i7-2617M). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics (Haswell) (Celeron G1820) and HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2617M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G1820 targets Budget, Core i7-2617M targets Ultrabook. Direct competitor: Celeron G1820 rivals Pentium G3220; Core i7-2617M rivals A6-3400M.