Celeron G3900 vs Pentium G3430

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 Pentium G3430 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 Pentium G3430: 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

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Costs $74 less on MSRP ($42 MSRP vs $116 MSRP).
✅Delivers 179.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 51.3 vs 18.3 PassMark/$ ($42 MSRP vs $116 MSRP).
✅Draws 51W instead of 54W, a 3W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Pentium G3430

2013

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,127 vs 2,155).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 18.3 vs 51.3 PassMark/$ ($116 MSRP vs $42 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron G3900 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Celeron G3900.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G3900 better than Pentium G3430?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium G3430 is ahead with a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G3900 pulls ahead with 1.3% better PassMark. Celeron G3900 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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 1.3% better PassMark, 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 $74 cheaper on MSRP at $42 MSRP versus $116 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Pentium G3430 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 179.8% better value on MSRP (51.3 vs 18.3 PassMark/$), 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 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron G3900 vs Pentium G3430 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.

Pentium G3430

The Pentium G3430 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 53 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,127 points. Launch price was $116.

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Processing Power

Both the Celeron G3900 and Pentium G3430 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Celeron G3900 versus 3.3 GHz on the Pentium G3430 — a 16.4% clock advantage for the Pentium G3430 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Celeron G3900 uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium G3430 uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G3900 scores 2,155 against the Pentium G3430's 2,127 — a 1.3% lead for the Celeron G3900. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Celeron G3900 vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G3430.

Feature	Celeron G3900	Pentium G3430
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz	3.3 GHz+18%
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	3.3 GHz+18%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)+33%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,155+1%	2,127
Geekbench 6 Single	680	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,250	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron G3900 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium G3430 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron G3900	Pentium G3430
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Celeron G3900) / not specified (Pentium G3430). The Celeron G3900 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 510), while the Pentium G3430 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G3900 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Celeron G3900 rivals Pentium G4400.

Feature	Celeron G3900	Pentium G3430
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 510	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G3900 was priced at $42, while the Pentium G3430 came in at $116. On launch pricing ($42 vs $116), Celeron G3900 was $74 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G3900 delivers 51.3 pts/$ vs 18.3 pts/$ for the Pentium G3430 — making the Celeron G3900 the 94.7% better value option.

Feature	Celeron G3900	Pentium G3430
MSRP	$42-64%	$116
Performance per Dollar	51.3+180%	18.3
Release Date	2015	2013

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