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 G3950 vs Core i3-6102E 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 G3950 vs Core i3-6102E: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G3950

2017

Why buy it

✅Costs $173 less on MSRP ($52 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Delivers 330.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 44.9 vs 10.4 PassMark/$ ($52 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,336 vs 2,349).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌104% higher power demand at 51W vs 25W.

Core i3-6102E

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 25W instead of 51W, a 26W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.4 vs 44.9 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $52 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G3950 better than Core i3-6102E?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron G3950 is ahead with a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-6102E pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark. Core i3-6102E 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, Core i3-6102E is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, 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?

Celeron G3950 is the better buy right now. Celeron G3950 comes in $173 cheaper on MSRP at $52 MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i3-6102E is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.6% better PassMark. It is also 330.3% better value on MSRP (44.9 vs 10.4 PassMark/$), 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 G3950 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 G3950 vs Core i3-6102E Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G3950

The Celeron G3950 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 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 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: 2,336 points. Launch price was $52.

Core i3-6102E

The Core i3-6102E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 2,349 points. Launch price was $225.

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Processing Power

The Celeron G3950 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-6102E's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Celeron G3950 versus 1.9 GHz on the Core i3-6102E — a 44.9% clock advantage for the Celeron G3950. The Celeron G3950 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-6102E uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G3950 scores 2,336 against the Core i3-6102E's 2,349 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-6102E. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron G3950 vs 3 MB on the Core i3-6102E.

Feature	Celeron G3950	Core i3-6102E
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3 GHz+58%	1.9 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	—
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	3 MB+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	2,336	2,349
Geekbench 6 Single	750	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,100	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Celeron G3950 versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i3-6102E — the Celeron G3950 supports 12.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Celeron G3950	Core i3-6102E
Socket	LGA1151	—
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+13%	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G3950) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-6102E). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 610 (Celeron G3950) and HD Graphics 530 (Core i3-6102E) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G3950 targets Budget, Core i3-6102E targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Celeron G3950 rivals Pentium G4560.

Feature	Celeron G3950	Core i3-6102E
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 610	HD Graphics 530
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Budget	Embedded

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G3950 was priced at $52, while the Core i3-6102E came in at $225. On launch pricing ($52 vs $225), Celeron G3950 was $173 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G3950 delivers 44.9 pts/$ vs 10.4 pts/$ for the Core i3-6102E — making the Celeron G3950 the 124.6% better value option.

Feature	Celeron G3950	Core i3-6102E
MSRP	$52-77%	$225
Performance per Dollar	44.9+332%	10.4
Release Date	2017	2015

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