Celeron G3930TE vs Core i3-5020U

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 G3930TE vs Core i3-5020U 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 G3930TE vs Core i3-5020U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G3930TE

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (548 vs 600).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (948 vs 1,200).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $42 MSRP, while Core i3-5020U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i3-5020U

2015

Why buy it

✅+9.5% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

Trade-offs

❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-5020U better than Celeron G3930TE?

Yes. Core i3-5020U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 26.6% better Geekbench multi-core, and 0.6% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-5020U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.8% 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, Core i3-5020U is the stronger fit. You are getting 26.6% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Core i3-5020U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-5020U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $42 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron G3930TE only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (52.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 G3930TE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron G3930TE vs Core i3-5020U Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G3930TE

The Celeron G3930TE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 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: DDR4-2133, DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,218 points. Launch price was $42.

Core i3-5020U

The Core i3-5020U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,232 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

The Celeron G3930TE packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-5020U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Celeron G3930TE versus 2.2 GHz on the Core i3-5020U — a 20.4% clock advantage for the Celeron G3930TE (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Celeron G3930TE uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-5020U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G3930TE scores 2,218 against the Core i3-5020U's 2,232 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-5020U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 548 vs 600, a 9.1% lead for the Core i3-5020U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 948 vs 1,200 (23.5% advantage for the Core i3-5020U). L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron G3930TE vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-5020U.

Feature	Celeron G3930TE	Core i3-5020U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz+23%	2.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+23%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB	3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	2,218	2,232
Geekbench 6 Single	548	600+9%
Geekbench 6 Multi	948	1,200+27%

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron G3930TE uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-5020U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Celeron G3930TE versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i3-5020U — the Celeron G3930TE supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron G3930TE supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Celeron G3930TE) vs 12 (Core i3-5020U) — the Celeron G3930TE offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H110,B250,H270,Z270 (Celeron G3930TE) and Broadwell-U (Core i3-5020U).

Feature	Celeron G3930TE	Core i3-5020U
Socket	LGA1151	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+50%	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+300%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G3930TE) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-5020U). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 610 (Celeron G3930TE) and Intel HD Graphics 5500 (Core i3-5020U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G3930TE targets Budget, Core i3-5020U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Celeron G3930TE rivals Pentium G4560T.

Feature	Celeron G3930TE	Core i3-5020U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 610	Intel HD Graphics 5500
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Budget	Mainstream Laptop