Celeron G3930 vs Xeon L5520

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 Xeon L5520 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 Xeon L5520: 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

✅Draws 51W instead of 60W, a 9W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 610, while Xeon L5520 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon L5520 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,259 vs 2,274).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon L5520, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $42 MSRP, while Xeon L5520 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon L5520

2009

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+300% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads.

Trade-offs

❌17.6% higher power demand at 60W vs 51W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron G3930 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon L5520 better than Celeron G3930?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon L5520 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Celeron G3930 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon L5520 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.5% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon L5520 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 300% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Xeon L5520 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon L5520 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $42 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron G3930 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (53.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 G3930 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron G3930 vs Xeon L5520 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.

Xeon L5520

The Xeon L5520 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 March 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Gainestown (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 2.48 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 60 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,274 points. Launch price was $100.

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Processing Power

The Celeron G3930 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Xeon L5520 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon L5520 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Celeron G3930 versus 2.48 GHz on the Xeon L5520 — a 15.6% clock advantage for the Celeron G3930 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.26 GHz). The Celeron G3930 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon L5520 uses Gainestown (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G3930 scores 2,259 against the Xeon L5520's 2,274 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon L5520. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron G3930 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon L5520.

Feature	Celeron G3930	Xeon L5520
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz+17%	2.48 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+28%	2.26 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+300%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Gainestown (2009−2010)
PassMark	2,259	2,274
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 Xeon L5520 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron G3930	Xeon L5520
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1366
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 (Xeon L5520). The Celeron G3930 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 610), while the Xeon L5520 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G3930 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron G3930 rivals Pentium G4560.