Celeron G3900TE vs Core i3-2105

Intel

Celeron G3900TE

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.3 GHz2015
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i3-2105

2 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2011
Similar parts
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Celeron G3900TE vs Core i3-2105 Performance Spectrum

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.

Celeron G3900TE vs Core i3-2105 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 i3-2105: 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

  • +0.7% higher PassMark.
  • Costs $96 less on MSRP ($42 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).
  • Delivers 230.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 44.0 vs 13.3 PassMark/$ ($42 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).
  • Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).

Core i3-2105

2011

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,837 vs 1,850).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.3 vs 44.0 PassMark/$ ($138 MSRP vs $42 MSRP).
  • 85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G3900TE better than Core i3-2105?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-2105 is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G3900TE pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark. Core i3-2105 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 G3900TE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Celeron G3900TE is the better buy right now. Celeron G3900TE comes in $96 cheaper on MSRP at $42 MSRP versus $138 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i3-2105 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 230.9% better value on MSRP (44.0 vs 13.3 PassMark/$), 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 G3900TE 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 G3900TE vs Core i3-2105 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

Intel

Core i3-2105

The Core i3-2105 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 22 May 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: 1,837 points. Launch price was $145.

Processing Power

The Celeron G3900TE packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-2105's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Celeron G3900TE versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i3-2105 — a 29.6% clock advantage for the Core i3-2105. The Celeron G3900TE uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-2105 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G3900TE scores 1,850 against the Core i3-2105's 1,837 — a 0.7% lead for the Celeron G3900TE. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron G3900TE vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2105.

FeatureCeleron G3900TECore i3-2105
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
1,837
Geekbench 6 Single
514
Geekbench 6 Multi
903
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron G3900TE uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-2105 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Celeron G3900TE versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i3-2105 — the Celeron G3900TE supports 60% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron G3900TE supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

FeatureCeleron G3900TECore i3-2105
Socket
LGA1151
LGA1155
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2133+60%
DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB+100%
32 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
Yes
No
PCIe Lanes
16
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Celeron G3900TE) vs VT-x (Core i3-2105). Both include integrated graphics Intel HD Graphics 510 (Celeron G3900TE) and HD Graphics 3000 (Core i3-2105) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G3900TE targets Embedded, Core i3-2105 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Celeron G3900TE rivals Pentium G4400T.

FeatureCeleron G3900TECore i3-2105
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics 510
HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x
Target Use
Embedded
Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G3900TE was priced at $42, while the Core i3-2105 came in at $138. On launch pricing ($42 vs $138), Celeron G3900TE was $96 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G3900TE delivers 44.0 pts/$ vs 13.3 pts/$ for the Core i3-2105 — making the Celeron G3900TE the 107.2% better value option.

FeatureCeleron G3900TECore i3-2105
MSRP
$42-70%
$138
Performance per Dollar
44.0+231%
13.3
Release Date
2015
2011

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