Celeron G3900 vs Core i3-5010U

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 G3900 vs Core i3-5010U 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 G3900 vs Core i3-5010U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G3900

2015

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 51W instead of 512W, a 461W reduction.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Intel Stock), unlike Core i3-5010U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (680 vs 737).
❌Lower PassMark (2,155 vs 2,157).
❌Launch MSRP is still $42 MSRP, while Core i3-5010U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i3-5010U

2015

Why buy it

✅+8.4% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌903.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 51W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Celeron G3900.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-5010U better than Celeron G3900?

Yes. Core i3-5010U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.1% 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, Core i3-5010U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.2% 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, Core i3-5010U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-5010U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-5010U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $42 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron G3900 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (51.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

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

Core i3-5010U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron G3900 vs Core i3-5010U Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G3900

The Celeron G3900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,155 points. Launch price was $42.

Core i3-5010U

The Core i3-5010U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,157 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

The Celeron G3900 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-5010U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Celeron G3900 versus 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-5010U — a 28.6% clock advantage for the Celeron G3900 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Celeron G3900 uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-5010U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G3900 scores 2,155 against the Core i3-5010U's 2,157 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i3-5010U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 680 vs 737, a 8% lead for the Core i3-5010U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Celeron G3900 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-5010U.

Feature	Celeron G3900	Core i3-5010U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+33%	2.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+33%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)+33%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	2,155	2,157
Geekbench 6 Single	680	737+8%
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,250	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron G3900 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-5010U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Celeron G3900 versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i3-5010U — the Celeron G3900 supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron G3900 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Celeron G3900) vs 12 (Core i3-5010U) — the Celeron G3900 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Celeron G3900	Core i3-5010U
Socket	LGA1151	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133+33%	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+300%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Celeron G3900) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-5010U). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 510 (Celeron G3900) and HD Graphics 5500 (Core i3-5010U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G3900 targets Desktop, Core i3-5010U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Celeron G3900 rivals Pentium G4400; Core i3-5010U rivals A10-8700P.

Feature	Celeron G3900	Core i3-5010U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 510	HD Graphics 5500
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Desktop	Mainstream Laptop