Celeron G3900T vs Core i5-2515E

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 G3900T vs Core i5-2515E 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 G3900T vs Core i5-2515E: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G3900T

2015

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (514 vs 530).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $42 MSRP, while Core i5-2515E mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i5-2515E

2011

Why buy it

✅+3.1% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,882 vs 1,900).

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G3900T better than Core i5-2515E?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-2515E is ahead with a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G3900T pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark. Core i5-2515E also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G3900T is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron G3900T is the better buy right now. Celeron G3900T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $42 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-2515E is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (45.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 G3900T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron G3900T vs Core i5-2515E Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G3900T

The Celeron G3900T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,900 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i5-2515E

The Core i5-2515E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,882 points. Launch price was $266.

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Processing Power

The Celeron G3900T packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-2515E's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Celeron G3900T versus 2.5 GHz on the Core i5-2515E — a 3.9% clock advantage for the Celeron G3900T (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Celeron G3900T uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-2515E uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G3900T scores 1,900 against the Core i5-2515E's 1,882 — a 1% lead for the Celeron G3900T. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 514 vs 530, a 3.1% lead for the Core i5-2515E that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron G3900T vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2515E.

Feature	Celeron G3900T	Core i5-2515E
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz+4%	2.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+4%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB	3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,900	1,882
Geekbench 6 Single	514	530+3%
Geekbench 6 Multi	903	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron G3900T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-2515E uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Celeron G3900T versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2515E — the Celeron G3900T supports 60% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron G3900T 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. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H110,B150,H170,Z170 (Celeron G3900T) and HM65,QM67 (Core i5-2515E).

Feature	Celeron G3900T	Core i5-2515E
Socket	LGA1151	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133+60%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+300%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G3900T) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2515E). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 510 (Celeron G3900T) and HD Graphics 3000 (Core i5-2515E) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G3900T targets Budget, Core i5-2515E targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Celeron G3900T rivals Pentium G4400T; Core i5-2515E rivals Embedded R-Series.

Feature	Celeron G3900T	Core i5-2515E
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 510	HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Budget	Embedded

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G3900T was priced at $42, while the Core i5-2515E came in at $0. On launch pricing ($42 vs $0), Core i5-2515E was $42 cheaper.

Feature	Celeron G3900T	Core i5-2515E
MSRP	$42	$0-100%
Performance per Dollar	45.2	—
Release Date	2015	2011

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