Celeron G4900 vs Core i7-3517UE

Intel

Celeron G4900

2 Cores2 Thrd54 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2018
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i7-3517UE

2 Cores4 Thrd17 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2012
Similar parts
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Celeron G4900 vs Core i7-3517UE Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 G4900 vs Core i7-3517UE 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 G4900 vs Core i7-3517UE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G4900

2018

Why buy it

  • +50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
  • Costs $288 less on MSRP ($42 MSRP vs $330 MSRP).
  • Delivers 681.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 56.4 vs 7.2 PassMark/$ ($42 MSRP vs $330 MSRP).
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 610, while Core i7-3517UE needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (2,370 vs 2,384).
  • 217.6% higher power demand at 54W vs 17W.

Core i7-3517UE

2012

Why buy it

  • +0.6% higher PassMark.
  • Draws 17W instead of 54W, a 37W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.2 vs 56.4 PassMark/$ ($330 MSRP vs $42 MSRP).
  • No integrated graphics, while Celeron G4900 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G4900 better than Core i7-3517UE?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron G4900 is ahead with a 2.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-3517UE pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark. Celeron G4900 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-3517UE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Celeron G4900 is the better buy right now. Celeron G4900 comes in $288 cheaper on MSRP at $42 MSRP versus $330 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-3517UE is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.6% better PassMark. It is also 681.1% better value on MSRP (56.4 vs 7.2 PassMark/$), 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 G4900 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2012) and 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron G4900 vs Core i7-3517UE Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Celeron G4900

The Celeron G4900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 2,370 points. Launch price was $42.

Intel

Core i7-3517UE

The Core i7-3517UE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 2,384 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

The Celeron G4900 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i7-3517UE's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Celeron G4900 versus 2.8 GHz on the Core i7-3517UE — a 10.2% clock advantage for the Celeron G4900 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Celeron G4900 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-3517UE uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G4900 scores 2,370 against the Core i7-3517UE's 2,384 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i7-3517UE. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Celeron G4900 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3517UE.

FeatureCeleron G4900Core i7-3517UE
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 4
Boost Clock
3.1 GHz+11%
2.8 GHz
Base Clock
3.1 GHz+82%
1.7 GHz
L3 Cache
6 MB (total)+50%
4 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
256 kB (per core)
Process
14 nm-36%
22 nm
Architecture
Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark
2,370
2,384
Geekbench 6 Single
850
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,550
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Memory & Platform

The Celeron G4900 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3517UE uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCeleron G4900Core i7-3517UE
Socket
LGA1151
BGA1023
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
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 G4900) / not specified (Core i7-3517UE). The Celeron G4900 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 610), while the Core i7-3517UE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G4900 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron G4900 rivals Pentium G5400.

FeatureCeleron G4900Core i7-3517UE
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 610
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x
Target Use
Budget
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G4900 was priced at $42, while the Core i7-3517UE came in at $330. On launch pricing ($42 vs $330), Celeron G4900 was $288 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G4900 delivers 56.4 pts/$ vs 7.2 pts/$ for the Core i7-3517UE — making the Celeron G4900 the 154.6% better value option.

FeatureCeleron G4900Core i7-3517UE
MSRP
$42-87%
$330
Performance per Dollar
56.4+683%
7.2
Release Date
2018
2012

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