Celeron G3900 vs Core i5-4250U

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 i5-4250U 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 i5-4250U: 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 i5-4250U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (680 vs 770).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,250 vs 1,450).
❌Launch MSRP is still $42 MSRP, while Core i5-4250U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i5-4250U

2013

Why buy it

✅+13.2% 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 i5-4250U better than Celeron G3900?

Yes. Core i5-4250U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you 16% better Geekbench multi-core, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-4250U has the edge because it leads the single-thread side of this matchup with 13.2% stronger Geekbench single-core performance.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4250U is the stronger fit. You are getting 16% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-4250U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-4250U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $42 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% higher PassMark. Celeron G3900 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (51.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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?

Celeron G3900 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron G3900 vs Core i5-4250U 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 i5-4250U

The Core i5-4250U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,144 points. Launch price was $430.

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Processing Power

The Celeron G3900 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-4250U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Celeron G3900 versus 2.6 GHz on the Core i5-4250U — a 7.4% clock advantage for the Celeron G3900 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 1.3 GHz). The Celeron G3900 uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-4250U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G3900 scores 2,155 against the Core i5-4250U's 2,144 — a 0.5% lead for the Celeron G3900. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 680 vs 770, a 12.4% lead for the Core i5-4250U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,250 vs 1,450 (14.8% advantage for the Core i5-4250U). L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Celeron G3900 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-4250U.

Feature	Celeron G3900	Core i5-4250U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+8%	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+115%	1.3 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)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,155	2,144
Geekbench 6 Single	680	770+13%
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,250	1,450+16%

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron G3900 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-4250U 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 i5-4250U — 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 i5-4250U) — the Celeron G3900 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H110,B150,H170,Z170 (Celeron G3900) and Haswell-ULT (Core i5-4250U).

Feature	Celeron G3900	Core i5-4250U
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. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 510 (Celeron G3900) and HD Graphics 5000 (Core i5-4250U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G3900 targets Desktop, Core i5-4250U targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron G3900 rivals Pentium G4400; Core i5-4250U rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.