Celeron G4920 vs Core i5-3230M

CPU

GPU

Celeron G4920

2 Cores2 Thrd54 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2018

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Core i5-3230M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2013

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Celeron G4920 vs Core i5-3230M Performance Spectrum

Celeron G4920

2 / 2

2,555

0.0%

2,565

+0.4%

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 G4920 vs Core i5-3230M 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 G4920 vs Core i5-3230M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G4920

2018

Why buy it

✅+18.9% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Costs $173 less on MSRP ($52 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Delivers 331.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 49.1 vs 11.4 PassMark/$ ($52 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Draws 54W instead of 512W, a 458W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i5-3230M

2013

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (565 vs 672).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,128 vs 1,229).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.4 vs 49.1 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $52 MSRP).
❌848.1% higher power demand at 512W vs 54W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G4920 better than Core i5-3230M?

Yes. Celeron G4920 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.2% average FPS lead across 44 shared CPU game tests in our data, 9% better Geekbench multi-core, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Celeron G4920 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.2% more average FPS across 44 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G4920 is the stronger fit. You are getting 9% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Celeron G4920 is the better buy right now. Celeron G4920 comes in $173 cheaper on MSRP at $52 MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.2% average FPS lead across 44 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 331.0% better value on MSRP (49.1 vs 11.4 PassMark/$), 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 G4920 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2013), 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron G4920 vs Core i5-3230M Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G4920

The Celeron G4920 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 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 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: 2,555 points. Launch price was $52.

Core i5-3230M

The Core i5-3230M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,565 points. Launch price was $225.

⚡

Processing Power

The Celeron G4920 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-3230M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Celeron G4920 versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-3230M — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Celeron G4920 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-3230M uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G4920 scores 2,555 against the Core i5-3230M's 2,565 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-3230M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 672 vs 565, a 17.3% lead for the Celeron G4920 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,229 vs 1,128 (8.6% advantage for the Celeron G4920). L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Celeron G4920 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3230M.

Feature	Celeron G4920	Core i5-3230M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+23%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)+100%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,555	2,565
Geekbench 6 Single	672+19%	565
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,229+9%	1,128

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron G4920 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-3230M uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Celeron G4920 versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i5-3230M — the Celeron G4920 supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron G4920 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H310,B360,B365,H370,Z370,Z390 (Celeron G4920) and HM76,HM77 (Core i5-3230M).

Feature	Celeron G4920	Core i5-3230M
Socket	LGA1151	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+50%	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G4920) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3230M). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 610 (Celeron G4920) and HD Graphics 4000 (Core i5-3230M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G4920 targets Budget, Core i5-3230M targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Celeron G4920 rivals Pentium G5420; Core i5-3230M rivals Ryzen 5 3500U.

Feature	Celeron G4920	Core i5-3230M
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 610	HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Budget	Gaming

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G4920 was priced at $52, while the Core i5-3230M came in at $225. On launch pricing ($52 vs $225), Celeron G4920 was $173 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G4920 delivers 49.1 pts/$ vs 11.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-3230M — making the Celeron G4920 the 124.7% better value option.

Feature	Celeron G4920	Core i5-3230M
MSRP	$52-77%	$225
Performance per Dollar	49.1+331%	11.4
Release Date	2018	2013

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