Celeron G1820T vs Phenom II X3 720

Celeron G1820T vs Phenom II X3 720 Performance Spectrum

Celeron G1820T

2 / 2

1,599

0.0%

1,600

+0.1%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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 G1820T vs Phenom II X3 720 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 G1820T vs Phenom II X3 720: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G1820T

2013

Why buy it

✅+9.2% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 54W instead of 95W, a 41W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics (Haswell), while Phenom II X3 720 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (629 vs 980).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Phenom II X3 720.

Phenom II X3 720

2010

Why buy it

✅+55.8% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Included), unlike Celeron G1820T.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (380 vs 415).
❌Launch MSRP is still $130 MSRP, while Celeron G1820T mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌75.9% higher power demand at 95W vs 54W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron G1820T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G1820T better than Phenom II X3 720?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron G1820T is ahead with a 1.6% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X3 720 pulls ahead with 55.8% better Geekbench multi-core. Phenom II X3 720 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X3 720 is the stronger fit. You are getting 55.8% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 3 cores and 3 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Celeron G1820T is still the much better call for a fresh build. Celeron G1820T comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $130 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. Phenom II X3 720 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (12.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Celeron G1820T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron G1820T vs Phenom II X3 720 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G1820T

The Celeron G1820T 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 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,599 points. Launch price was $42.

Phenom II X3 720

The Phenom II X3 720 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Heka (2009−2010) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,600 points. Launch price was $75.

⚡

Processing Power

The Celeron G1820T packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Phenom II X3 720 offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Phenom II X3 720 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Celeron G1820T versus 2.8 GHz on the Phenom II X3 720 — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Phenom II X3 720 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Celeron G1820T uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Phenom II X3 720 uses Heka (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G1820T scores 1,599 against the Phenom II X3 720's 1,600 — a 0.1% lead for the Phenom II X3 720. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 415 vs 380, a 8.8% lead for the Celeron G1820T that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 629 vs 980 (43.6% advantage for the Phenom II X3 720). L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Celeron G1820T vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X3 720.

Feature	Celeron G1820T	Phenom II X3 720
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	3 / 3+50%
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	2.8 GHz+17%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.8 GHz+17%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	6 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Heka (2009−2010)
PassMark	1,599	1,600
Geekbench 6 Single	415+9%	380
Geekbench 6 Multi	629	980+56%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron G1820T uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X3 720 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Celeron G1820T 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. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H81,B85,H87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Celeron G1820T) and AM3,AM2+ (Phenom II X3 720).

Feature	Celeron G1820T	Phenom II X3 720
Socket	LGA1150	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+100%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Phenom II X3 720 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G1820T) vs AMD-V (Phenom II X3 720). The Celeron G1820T includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Haswell)), while the Phenom II X3 720 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G1820T targets Budget, Phenom II X3 720 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Celeron G1820T rivals Pentium G3220T.