Celeron G3900 vs Core i5-3437U

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 i5-3437U 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 i5-3437U: 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

✅+54.5% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 51W instead of 512W, a 461W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Intel Stock), unlike Core i5-3437U.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $42 MSRP, while Core i5-3437U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i5-3437U

2013

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (440 vs 680).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,080 vs 1,250).
❌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 Celeron G3900 better than Core i5-3437U?

Yes. Celeron G3900 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, 15.7% better Geekbench multi-core, 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 G3900 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, Celeron G3900 is the stronger fit. You are getting 15.7% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Celeron G3900 is the better buy right now. Celeron G3900 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $42 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (51.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 G3900 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB), 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 G3900 vs Core i5-3437U 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 i5-3437U

The Core i5-3437U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,166 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Celeron G3900 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-3437U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Celeron G3900 versus 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-3437U — a 3.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-3437U (base: 2.8 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Celeron G3900 uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-3437U uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G3900 scores 2,155 against the Core i5-3437U's 2,166 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-3437U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 680 vs 440, a 42.9% lead for the Celeron G3900 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,250 vs 1,080 (14.6% advantage for the Celeron G3900). L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Celeron G3900 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3437U.

Feature	Celeron G3900	Core i5-3437U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz	2.9 GHz+4%
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+47%	1.9 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)+33%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,155	2,166
Geekbench 6 Single	680+55%	440
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,250+16%	1,080

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron G3900 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-3437U uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Celeron G3900 versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i5-3437U — 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 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H110,B150,H170,Z170 (Celeron G3900) and QM77,QS77 (Core i5-3437U).

Feature	Celeron G3900	Core i5-3437U
Socket	LGA1151	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133+33%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 510 (Celeron G3900) and Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i5-3437U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G3900 targets Desktop, Core i5-3437U targets Business Ultrabook. Direct competitor: Celeron G3900 rivals Pentium G4400; Core i5-3437U rivals AMD A8-4555M.

Feature	Celeron G3900	Core i5-3437U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 510	Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Desktop	Business Ultrabook