Celeron G3900TE vs Core i3-4100E

Intel

Celeron G3900TE

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.3 GHz2015
VS
Intel

Core i3-4100E

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2013

Celeron G3900TE vs Core i3-4100E 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 i3-4100E 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 i3-4100E: 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

  • βœ…+0.1% higher PassMark.
  • βœ…Costs $183 less on MSRP ($42 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
  • βœ…Delivers 436.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 44.0 vs 8.2 PassMark/$ ($42 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
  • βœ…Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (514 vs 550).
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).

Core i3-4100E

2013

Why buy it

  • βœ…+7% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
  • βœ…+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark (1,848 vs 1,850).
  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.2 vs 44.0 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $42 MSRP).
  • ❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G3900TE better than Core i3-4100E?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-4100E is ahead with a 0.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G3900TE pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Core i3-4100E 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 0.1% 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 $183 cheaper on MSRP at $42 MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i3-4100E is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 436.3% better value on MSRP (44.0 vs 8.2 PassMark/$), 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 2013) 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 i3-4100E 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 (2015βˆ’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 i3-4100E

The Core i3-4100E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013βˆ’2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 512 kBΒ +Β 3 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,848 points. Launch price was $225.

⚑

Processing Power

The Celeron G3900TE packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-4100E's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Celeron G3900TE versus 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-4100E β€” a 4.3% clock advantage for the Core i3-4100E. The Celeron G3900TE uses the Skylake (2015βˆ’2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-4100E uses Haswell (2013βˆ’2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G3900TE scores 1,850 against the Core i3-4100E's 1,848 β€” a 0.1% lead for the Celeron G3900TE. Geekbench 6 single-core β€” the metric most relevant to gaming β€” records 514 vs 550, a 6.8% lead for the Core i3-4100E that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron G3900TE vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4100E.

FeatureCeleron G3900TECore i3-4100E
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 4
Boost Clock
2.3 GHz
2.4 GHz+4%
Base Clock
β€”
2.4 GHz
L3 Cache
2 MB
3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache
512 kB+100%
256K (per core)
Process
14 nm-36%
22 nm
Architecture
Skylake (2015βˆ’2016)
Haswell (2013βˆ’2015)
PassMark
1,850
1,848
Geekbench 6 Single
514
550+7%
Geekbench 6 Multi
903
β€”
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron G3900TE uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-4100E uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Celeron G3900TE versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i3-4100E β€” the Celeron G3900TE supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron G3900TE supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB β€” 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H110,Q170 (Celeron G3900TE) and QM87,HM86,HM87 (Core i3-4100E).

FeatureCeleron G3900TECore i3-4100E
Socket
LGA1151
BGA1364
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2133+33%
DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB+300%
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
16
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Celeron G3900TE) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-4100E). Both include integrated graphics β€” Intel HD Graphics 510 (Celeron G3900TE) and HD Graphics 4600 (Core i3-4100E) β€” useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G3900TE targets Embedded, Core i3-4100E targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Celeron G3900TE rivals Pentium G4400T; Core i3-4100E rivals Embedded R-Series.

FeatureCeleron G3900TECore i3-4100E
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics 510
HD Graphics 4600
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Embedded
Embedded
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G3900TE was priced at $42, while the Core i3-4100E came in at $225. On launch pricing ($42 vs $225), Celeron G3900TE was $183 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G3900TE delivers 44.0 pts/$ vs 8.2 pts/$ for the Core i3-4100E β€” making the Celeron G3900TE the 137.1% better value option.

FeatureCeleron G3900TECore i3-4100E
MSRP
$42-81%
$225
Performance per Dollar
44.0+437%
8.2
Release Date
2015
2013

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