Celeron G1840T vs Core i3-2120T

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 G1840T vs Core i3-2120T 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 G1840T vs Core i3-2120T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G1840T

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $85 less on MSRP ($42 MSRP vs $127 MSRP).
✅Delivers 203.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 37.5 vs 12.4 PassMark/$ ($42 MSRP vs $127 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌54.3% higher power demand at 54W vs 35W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-2120T.

Core i3-2120T

2011

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 54W, a 19W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Celeron G1840T.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,570 vs 1,576).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.4 vs 37.5 PassMark/$ ($127 MSRP vs $42 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G1840T better than Core i3-2120T?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-2120T is ahead with a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G1840T pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G1840T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron G1840T is the better buy right now. Celeron G1840T comes in $85 cheaper on MSRP at $42 MSRP versus $127 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i3-2120T is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 203.5% better value on MSRP (37.5 vs 12.4 PassMark/$), 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 G1840T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 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 G1840T vs Core i3-2120T Technical Specifications

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

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.

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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

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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	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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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

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G1840T was priced at $42, while the Core i3-2120T came in at $127. On launch pricing ($42 vs $127), Celeron G1840T was $85 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G1840T delivers 37.5 pts/$ vs 12.4 pts/$ for the Core i3-2120T — making the Celeron G1840T the 100.9% better value option.

Feature	Celeron G1840T	Core i3-2120T
MSRP	$42-67%	$127
Performance per Dollar	37.5+202%	12.4
Release Date	2014	2011

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