Celeron G3900E vs Core i7-840QM

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 G3900E vs Core i7-840QM 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 G3900E vs Core i7-840QM: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G3900E

2016

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 45W, a 10W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 510, while Core i7-840QM needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-840QM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (948 vs 1,050).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $107 MSRP, while Core i7-840QM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i7-840QM

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+300% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 2 MB).

Trade-offs

❌28.6% higher power demand at 45W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron G3900E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-840QM better than Celeron G3900E?

Yes. Core i7-840QM is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 10.8% 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 i7-840QM is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.0% 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 i7-840QM is the stronger fit. You are getting 10.8% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 300% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Core i7-840QM is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-840QM comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $107 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron G3900E only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2016 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (19.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on that older DDR4-era platform.

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

Celeron G3900E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron G3900E vs Core i7-840QM Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G3900E

The Celeron G3900E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 2,034 points. Launch price was $107.

Core i7-840QM

The Core i7-840QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.86 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,025 points. Launch price was $568.

⚡

Processing Power

The Celeron G3900E packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core i7-840QM offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-840QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Celeron G3900E versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i7-840QM — a 28.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-840QM. The Celeron G3900E uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-840QM uses Clarksfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G3900E scores 2,034 against the Core i7-840QM's 2,025 — a 0.4% lead for the Celeron G3900E. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 699 vs 390, a 56.7% lead for the Celeron G3900E that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 948 vs 1,050 (10.2% advantage for the Core i7-840QM). L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron G3900E vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-840QM.

Feature	Celeron G3900E	Core i7-840QM
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	3.2 GHz+33%
Base Clock	—	1.86 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB	8 MB (total)+300%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Clarksfield (2009−2010)
PassMark	2,034	2,025
Geekbench 6 Single	699+79%	390
Geekbench 6 Multi	948	1,050+11%

🧠

Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Celeron G3900E versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i7-840QM — the Celeron G3900E supports 60% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron G3900E supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 700% 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 G3900E) and PM55,HM55,QM57,HM57 (Core i7-840QM).

Feature	Celeron G3900E	Core i7-840QM
Socket	—	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133+60%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+700%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G3900E) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-840QM). The Celeron G3900E includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 510), while the Core i7-840QM requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G3900E targets Budget, Core i7-840QM targets Laptop. Direct competitor: Celeron G3900E rivals Pentium G4400.