Celeron G460 vs Pentium N3520

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 G460 vs Pentium N3520 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 G460 vs Pentium N3520: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G460

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $63 less on MSRP ($37 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
✅Delivers 170.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 30.9 vs 11.4 PassMark/$ ($37 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge), while Pentium N3520 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (1.5 MB vs 2 MB).
❌1650% higher power demand at 35W vs 2W.

Pentium N3520

2013

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (2 MB vs 1.5 MB).
✅Draws 2W instead of 35W, a 33W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,144 vs 1,145).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.4 vs 30.9 PassMark/$ ($100 MSRP vs $37 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron G460 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium N3520 better than Celeron G460?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium N3520 is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G460 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Pentium N3520 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (2 MB vs 1.5 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G460 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 1 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium N3520 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium N3520 comes in 170.3% more expensive on MSRP at $100 MSRP versus $37 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron G460 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 170.5% better value on paper (30.9 vs 11.4 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Pentium N3520 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (2 MB vs 1.5 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron G460 vs Pentium N3520 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G460

The Celeron G460 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 December 2011 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 1 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 1.5 MB. L2 cache: 256 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,145 points. Launch price was $65.

Pentium N3520

The Pentium N3520 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 December 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.17 GHz, with boost up to 2.42 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 7.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,144 points. Launch price was $161.

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Processing Power

The Celeron G460 packs 1 cores / 2 threads, while the Pentium N3520 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium N3520 has 3 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.8 GHz on the Celeron G460 versus 2.42 GHz on the Pentium N3520 — a 29.4% clock advantage for the Pentium N3520 (base: 1.8 GHz vs 2.17 GHz). The Celeron G460 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium N3520 uses Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G460 scores 1,145 against the Pentium N3520's 1,144 — a 0.1% lead for the Celeron G460. L3 cache: 1.5 MB on the Celeron G460 vs 2 MB on the Pentium N3520.

Feature	Celeron G460	Pentium N3520
Cores / Threads	1 / 2	4 / 4+300%
Boost Clock	1.8 GHz	2.42 GHz+34%
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	2.17 GHz+21%
L3 Cache	1.5 MB	2 MB+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB	2 MB+700%
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Bay Trail-M (2013−2014)
PassMark	1,145	1,144
Geekbench 6 Single	300	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron G460 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium N3520 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron G460	Pentium N3520
Socket	LGA1155	FCBGA1170
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Celeron G460) / not specified (Pentium N3520). The Celeron G460 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)), while the Pentium N3520 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G460 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron G460 rivals Pentium G630.

Feature	Celeron G460	Pentium N3520
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Budget	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G460 was priced at $37, while the Pentium N3520 came in at $100. On launch pricing ($37 vs $100), Celeron G460 was $63 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G460 delivers 30.9 pts/$ vs 11.4 pts/$ for the Pentium N3520 — making the Celeron G460 the 92% better value option.

Feature	Celeron G460	Pentium N3520
MSRP	$37-63%	$100
Performance per Dollar	30.9+171%	11.4
Release Date	2011	2013

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