Celeron G4900T 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 G4900T 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 G4900T 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 G4900T

2018

Why buy it

✅+3.8% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅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 multi-core (1,040 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

✅+15.4% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (600 vs 623).
❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G4900T better than Core i3-5020U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron G4900T is ahead with a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-5020U pulls ahead with 15.4% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i3-5020U 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 i3-5020U is the stronger fit. You are getting 15.4% 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?

Celeron G4900T is the better buy right now. Celeron G4900T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $42 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i3-5020U is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 15.4% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (53.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 G4900T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron G4900T vs Core i3-5020U Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G4900T

The Celeron G4900T 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 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): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 2,239 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.

⚡

Processing Power

The Celeron G4900T packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-5020U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Celeron G4900T versus 2.2 GHz on the Core i3-5020U — a 27.5% clock advantage for the Celeron G4900T (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Celeron G4900T uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-5020U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G4900T scores 2,239 against the Core i3-5020U's 2,232 — a 0.3% lead for the Celeron G4900T. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 623 vs 600, a 3.8% lead for the Celeron G4900T that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,040 vs 1,200 (14.3% advantage for the Core i3-5020U). L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron G4900T vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-5020U.

Feature	Celeron G4900T	Core i3-5020U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz+32%	2.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+32%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	2,239	2,232
Geekbench 6 Single	623+4%	600
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,040	1,200+15%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron G4900T 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 G4900T versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i3-5020U — the Celeron G4900T supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron G4900T 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 G4900T) vs 12 (Core i3-5020U) — the Celeron G4900T offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H310,B360,B365,H370,Z370,Z390 (Celeron G4900T) and Broadwell-U (Core i3-5020U).

Feature	Celeron G4900T	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

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G4900T) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-5020U). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 610 (Celeron G4900T) 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 G4900T targets Budget, Core i3-5020U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Celeron G4900T rivals Pentium G5400T.

Feature	Celeron G4900T	Core i3-5020U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD 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