Celeron G3900 vs Pentium N4200

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 N4200 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 N4200: 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

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Costs $119 less on MSRP ($42 MSRP vs $161 MSRP).
✅Delivers 282.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 51.3 vs 13.4 PassMark/$ ($42 MSRP vs $161 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 510, while Pentium N4200 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,155 vs 2,158).
❌2450% higher power demand at 51W vs 2W.

Pentium N4200

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 2W instead of 51W, a 49W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.4 vs 51.3 PassMark/$ ($161 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 Pentium N4200 better than Celeron G3900?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron G3900 is ahead with a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium N4200 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Celeron G3900 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium N4200 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium N4200 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium N4200 comes in 283.3% more expensive on MSRP at $161 MSRP versus $42 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. Celeron G3900 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 282.8% better value on paper (51.3 vs 13.4 PassMark/$), 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?

Pentium N4200 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2015) and more multi-core headroom with 4 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 Pentium N4200 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 N4200

The Pentium N4200 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Apollo Lake (2014−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1296. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,158 points. Launch price was $161.

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Processing Power

The Celeron G3900 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Pentium N4200 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium N4200 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Celeron G3900 versus 2.5 GHz on the Pentium N4200 — a 11.3% clock advantage for the Celeron G3900 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Celeron G3900 uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium N4200 uses Apollo Lake (2014−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G3900 scores 2,155 against the Pentium N4200's 2,158 — a 0.1% lead for the Pentium N4200. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Celeron G3900 vs 2 MB L2 Cache on the Pentium N4200.

Feature	Celeron G3900	Pentium N4200
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+12%	2.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+155%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)+100%	2 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	2 MB+700%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Apollo Lake (2014−2016)
PassMark	2,155	2,158
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 N4200 uses FCBGA1296 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron G3900	Pentium N4200
Socket	LGA1151	FCBGA1296
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 N4200). The Celeron G3900 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 510), while the Pentium N4200 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G3900 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Celeron G3900 rivals Pentium G4400.

Feature	Celeron G3900	Pentium N4200
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 N4200 came in at $161. On launch pricing ($42 vs $161), Celeron G3900 was $119 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G3900 delivers 51.3 pts/$ vs 13.4 pts/$ for the Pentium N4200 — making the Celeron G3900 the 117.2% better value option.

Feature	Celeron G3900	Pentium N4200
MSRP	$42-74%	$161
Performance per Dollar	51.3+283%	13.4
Release Date	2015	2016

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