CPU
GPU
Celeron G3900E
Xeon E5420
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Celeron G3900E is positioned at rank 816 and the Xeon E5420 is on rank 1033, so the Celeron G3900E offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Celeron G3900E
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5420
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Celeron G3900E | Xeon E5420 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($35) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($6,500) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Harpertown (2007−2008) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Celeron G3900E | Xeon E5420 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+18381%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($35) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($6,500) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Celeron G3900E and Xeon E5420
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.
Xeon E5420
The Xeon E5420 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 November 2007 (18 years ago). It is based on the Harpertown (2007−2008) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA771. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 2,044 points. Launch price was $316.
Processing Power
The Celeron G3900E packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Xeon E5420 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5420 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Celeron G3900E versus 2.5 GHz on the Xeon E5420 — a 4.1% clock advantage for the Xeon E5420. The Celeron G3900E uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5420 uses Harpertown (2007−2008) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G3900E scores 2,034 against the Xeon E5420's 2,044 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon E5420. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 699 vs 314, a 76% lead for the Celeron G3900E that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 948 vs 881 (7.3% advantage for the Celeron G3900E). L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron G3900E vs 12 MB L2 Cache on the Xeon E5420.
| Feature | Celeron G3900E | Xeon E5420 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 2.4 GHz | 2.5 GHz+4% |
| Base Clock | — | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 2 MB | 12 MB L2 Cache+500% |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 6 MB (total)+1100% |
| Process | 14 nm-69% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Skylake (2015−2016) | Harpertown (2007−2008) |
| PassMark | 2,034 | 2,044 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 699+123% | 314 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 948+8% | 881 |
Memory & Platform
Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Celeron G3900E versus DDR2-667 on the Xeon E5420 — the Celeron G3900E supports 66.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron G3900E supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Celeron G3900E) vs 4 (Xeon E5420). PCIe lanes: 16 (Celeron G3900E) vs 32 (Xeon E5420) — the Xeon E5420 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H110,B150,H170,Z170 (Celeron G3900E) and Intel 5000P,Intel 5100,Intel 5400 (Xeon E5420).
| Feature | Celeron G3900E | Xeon E5420 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | — | LGA771 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2133+100% | DDR2-667 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB+100% | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 4+100% |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 32+100% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G3900E) vs Yes (Xeon E5420). The Celeron G3900E includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 510), while the Xeon E5420 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G3900E targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron G3900E rivals Pentium G4400.
| Feature | Celeron G3900E | Xeon E5420 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 510 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x | Yes |
| Target Use | Budget | — |
Value Analysis
The Celeron G3900E launched at $107 MSRP, while the Xeon E5420 debuted at $7214. At current prices ($35 vs $6500), the Celeron G3900E is $6465 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G3900E delivers 58.1 pts/$ vs 0.3 pts/$ for the Xeon E5420 — making the Celeron G3900E the 197.8% better value option.
| Feature | Celeron G3900E | Xeon E5420 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $107-99% | $7214 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $35-99% | $6500 |
| Performance per Dollar | 58.1+19267% | 0.3 |
| Release Date | 2016 | 2007 |
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