Celeron G3920 vs Core i3-3240

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 G3920 vs Core i3-3240 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 G3920 vs Core i3-3240: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G3920

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Costs $92 less on MSRP ($40 MSRP vs $132 MSRP).
✅Delivers 230.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 59.0 vs 17.8 PassMark/$ ($40 MSRP vs $132 MSRP).
✅Draws 51W instead of 55W, a 4W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i3-3240

2012

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,352 vs 2,358).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 17.8 vs 59.0 PassMark/$ ($132 MSRP vs $40 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron G3920 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G3920 better than Core i3-3240?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-3240 is ahead with a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G3920 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark. Celeron G3920 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G3920 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Celeron G3920 is the better buy right now. Celeron G3920 comes in $92 cheaper on MSRP at $40 MSRP versus $132 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i3-3240 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 230.8% better value on MSRP (59.0 vs 17.8 PassMark/$), 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 G3920 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB), 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 G3920 vs Core i3-3240 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G3920

The Celeron G3920 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,358 points. Launch price was $52.

Core i3-3240

The Core i3-3240 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,352 points. Launch price was $75.

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Processing Power

The Celeron G3920 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-3240's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Celeron G3920 versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i3-3240 — a 15.9% clock advantage for the Core i3-3240 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Celeron G3920 uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-3240 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G3920 scores 2,358 against the Core i3-3240's 2,352 — a 0.3% lead for the Celeron G3920. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Celeron G3920 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3240.

Feature	Celeron G3920	Core i3-3240
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz	3.4 GHz+17%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	3.4 GHz+17%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)+33%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,358	2,352
Geekbench 6 Single	699	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	948	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron G3920 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-3240 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron G3920	Core i3-3240
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
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 (Celeron G3920) / not specified (Core i3-3240). The Celeron G3920 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 510), while the Core i3-3240 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G3920 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron G3920 rivals Pentium G4400.

Feature	Celeron G3920	Core i3-3240
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 510	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Budget	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G3920 was priced at $40, while the Core i3-3240 came in at $132. On launch pricing ($40 vs $132), Celeron G3920 was $92 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G3920 delivers 59.0 pts/$ vs 17.8 pts/$ for the Core i3-3240 — making the Celeron G3920 the 107.2% better value option.

Feature	Celeron G3920	Core i3-3240
MSRP	$40-70%	$132
Performance per Dollar	59.0+231%	17.8
Release Date	2015	2012

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