Celeron G3900TE vs Core i3-2100

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 G3900TE vs Core i3-2100 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 G3900TE vs Core i3-2100: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G3900TE

2015

Why buy it

✅Costs $75 less on MSRP ($42 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).
✅Delivers 177.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 44.0 vs 15.9 PassMark/$ ($42 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 510, while Core i3-2100 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,850 vs 1,856).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).

Core i3-2100

2011

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.9 vs 44.0 PassMark/$ ($117 MSRP vs $42 MSRP).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron G3900TE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-2100 better than Celeron G3900TE?

Yes. Core i3-2100 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you 0.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-2100 has the edge because it leads the single-thread side of this matchup with 34.8% higher max boost clock.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-2100 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Core i3-2100 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-2100 comes in 178.6% more expensive on MSRP at $117 MSRP versus $42 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% higher PassMark. Celeron G3900TE only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 177.7% better value on paper (44.0 vs 15.9 PassMark/$), 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?

Celeron G3900TE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron G3900TE vs Core i3-2100 Technical Specifications

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

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.

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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	—

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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	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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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	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G3900TE was priced at $42, while the Core i3-2100 came in at $117. On launch pricing ($42 vs $117), Celeron G3900TE was $75 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G3900TE delivers 44.0 pts/$ vs 15.9 pts/$ for the Core i3-2100 — making the Celeron G3900TE the 94.1% better value option.

Feature	Celeron G3900TE	Core i3-2100
MSRP	$42-64%	$117
Performance per Dollar	44.0+177%	15.9
Release Date	2015	2011

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