Celeron G3930 vs Core i5-650

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 G3930 vs Core i5-650 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 G3930 vs Core i5-650: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G3930

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $134 less on MSRP ($42 MSRP vs $176 MSRP).
✅Delivers 320.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 53.8 vs 12.8 PassMark/$ ($42 MSRP vs $176 MSRP).
✅Draws 51W instead of 73W, a 22W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 4 MB).

Core i5-650

2010

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,254 vs 2,259).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.8 vs 53.8 PassMark/$ ($176 MSRP vs $42 MSRP).
❌43.1% higher power demand at 73W vs 51W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron G3930 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G3930 better than Core i5-650?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-650 is ahead with a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G3930 pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark. Core i5-650 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G3930 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron G3930 is the better buy right now. Celeron G3930 comes in $134 cheaper on MSRP at $42 MSRP versus $176 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-650 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 320.0% better value on MSRP (53.8 vs 12.8 PassMark/$), 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 G3930 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2010) 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 G3930 vs Core i5-650 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G3930

The Celeron G3930 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 2133, DDR3L 1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,259 points. Launch price was $42.

Core i5-650

The Core i5-650 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,254 points. Launch price was $35.

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Processing Power

The Celeron G3930 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-650's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Celeron G3930 versus 3.46 GHz on the Core i5-650 — a 17.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-650 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Celeron G3930 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-650 uses Clarkdale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G3930 scores 2,259 against the Core i5-650's 2,254 — a 0.2% lead for the Celeron G3930. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron G3930 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i5-650.

Feature	Celeron G3930	Core i5-650
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz	3.46 GHz+19%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	3.2 GHz+10%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	4 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Clarkdale (2010−2011)
PassMark	2,259	2,254
Geekbench 6 Single	750	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,100	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron G3930 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-650 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron G3930	Core i5-650
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1156
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Celeron G3930) / not specified (Core i5-650). The Celeron G3930 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 610), while the Core i5-650 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G3930 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron G3930 rivals Pentium G4560.

Feature	Celeron G3930	Core i5-650
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 610	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Budget	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G3930 was priced at $42, while the Core i5-650 came in at $176. On launch pricing ($42 vs $176), Celeron G3930 was $134 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G3930 delivers 53.8 pts/$ vs 12.8 pts/$ for the Core i5-650 — making the Celeron G3930 the 123.1% better value option.

Feature	Celeron G3930	Core i5-650
MSRP	$42-76%	$176
Performance per Dollar	53.8+320%	12.8
Release Date	2017	2010

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