Celeron G3900TE vs Core i3-2100
Celeron G3900TE
Core i3-2100
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 G3900TE is positioned at rank 467 and the Core i3-2100 is on rank 885, so the Celeron G3900TE offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Celeron G3900TE
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2100
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Celeron G3900TE | Core i3-2100 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($45) | ✅ More affordable ($10) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Celeron G3900TE | Core i3-2100 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+351%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($45) | ✅ More affordable ($10) |
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 G3900TE and Core i3-2100
Celeron G3900TE
The Celeron G3900TE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.3 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: DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,850 points. Launch price was $42.
Core i3-2100
The Core i3-2100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 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 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,856 points. Launch price was $73.
Processing Power
The Celeron G3900TE packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-2100's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Celeron G3900TE versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i3-2100 — a 29.6% clock advantage for the Core i3-2100. The Celeron G3900TE uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-2100 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G3900TE scores 1,850 against the Core i3-2100's 1,856 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-2100. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron G3900TE vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2100.
| Feature | Celeron G3900TE | Core i3-2100 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.3 GHz | 3.1 GHz+35% |
| Base Clock | — | 3.1 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 2 MB | 3 MB (total)+50% |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB+100% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm-56% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Skylake (2015−2016) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,850 | 1,856 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 514 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 903 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Celeron G3900TE uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-2100 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Celeron G3900TE | Core i3-2100 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2133 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ✅ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Celeron G3900TE) / not specified (Core i3-2100). The Celeron G3900TE includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 510), while the Core i3-2100 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G3900TE targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Celeron G3900TE rivals Pentium G4400T.
| Feature | Celeron G3900TE | Core i3-2100 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 510 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Embedded | — |
Value Analysis
The Celeron G3900TE launched at $42 MSRP, while the Core i3-2100 debuted at $117. At current prices ($45 vs $10), the Core i3-2100 is $35 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G3900TE delivers 41.1 pts/$ vs 185.6 pts/$ for the Core i3-2100 — making the Core i3-2100 the 127.5% better value option.
| Feature | Celeron G3900TE | Core i3-2100 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $42-64% | $117 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $45 | $10-78% |
| Performance per Dollar | 41.1 | 185.6+352% |
| Release Date | 2015 | 2011 |
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