CPU
GPU
Celeron G1840T
Core i3-2120T
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Celeron G1840T is positioned at rank 525 and the Core i3-2120T is on rank 956, so the Celeron G1840T offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Celeron G1840T
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2120T
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Celeron G1840T | Core i3-2120T |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($10) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($38) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Celeron G1840T | Core i3-2120T |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+281%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($10) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($38) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Celeron G1840T and Core i3-2120T
Celeron G1840T
The Celeron G1840T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 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: 1,576 points. Launch price was $69.
Core i3-2120T
The Core i3-2120T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,570 points. Launch price was $50.
Processing Power
The Celeron G1840T packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-2120T's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Celeron G1840T versus 2.6 GHz on the Core i3-2120T — a 3.9% clock advantage for the Core i3-2120T (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Celeron G1840T uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i3-2120T uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G1840T scores 1,576 against the Core i3-2120T's 1,570 — a 0.4% lead for the Celeron G1840T. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Celeron G1840T | Core i3-2120T |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.5 GHz | 2.6 GHz+4% |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 2.6 GHz+4% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm-31% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Haswell (2013−2015) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,576 | 1,570 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 403 |
Memory & Platform
The Celeron G1840T uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-2120T uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. 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 G1840T) and H61,B65,Q65,Q67,H67,P67,Z68,B75,Q75,Q77,H77,Z75,Z77 (Core i3-2120T).
| Feature | Celeron G1840T | Core i3-2120T |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1150 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G1840T) vs VT-x, EPT (Core i3-2120T). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics (Haswell) (Celeron G1840T) and HD Graphics 2000 (Core i3-2120T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G1840T targets Budget, Core i3-2120T targets Budget Desktop. Direct competitor: Celeron G1840T rivals Pentium G3240T; Core i3-2120T rivals A6-3500.
| Feature | Celeron G1840T | Core i3-2120T |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics (Haswell) | HD Graphics 2000 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x | VT-x, EPT |
| Target Use | Budget | Budget Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Celeron G1840T launched at $42 MSRP, while the Core i3-2120T debuted at $127. At current prices ($10 vs $38), the Celeron G1840T is $28 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G1840T delivers 157.6 pts/$ vs 41.3 pts/$ for the Core i3-2120T — making the Celeron G1840T the 116.9% better value option.
| Feature | Celeron G1840T | Core i3-2120T |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $42-67% | $127 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $10-74% | $38 |
| Performance per Dollar | 157.6+282% | 41.3 |
| Release Date | 2014 | 2011 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Celeron G1840T and Core i3-2120T
