Celeron G4930 vs Phenom II X4 B97

Intel

Celeron G4930

2 Cores2 Thrd54 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2019
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Phenom II X4 B97

4 Cores4 Thrd95 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2010
Similar parts
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Celeron G4930 vs Phenom II X4 B97 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 G4930 vs Phenom II X4 B97 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 G4930 vs Phenom II X4 B97: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G4930

2019

Why buy it

  • +0.4% higher PassMark.
  • Costs $58 less on MSRP ($42 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
  • Delivers 139.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 60.7 vs 25.4 PassMark/$ ($42 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
  • Draws 54W instead of 95W, a 41W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 6 MB).

Phenom II X4 B97

2010

Why buy it

  • +200% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 2 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (2,540 vs 2,551).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 25.4 vs 60.7 PassMark/$ ($100 MSRP vs $42 MSRP).
  • 75.9% higher power demand at 95W vs 54W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Celeron G4930 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G4930 better than Phenom II X4 B97?
Yes. Celeron G4930 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
For gaming, this matchup is basically a tie in the data we have.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G4930 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Celeron G4930 is the better buy right now. Celeron G4930 comes in $58 cheaper on MSRP at $42 MSRP versus $100 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 139.1% better value on MSRP (60.7 vs 25.4 PassMark/$), 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 G4930 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron G4930 vs Phenom II X4 B97 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Celeron G4930

The Celeron G4930 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 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: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 2,551 points. Launch price was $42.

AMD

Phenom II X4 B97

The Phenom II X4 B97 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 11 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,540 points. Launch price was $100.

Processing Power

The Celeron G4930 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Phenom II X4 B97 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X4 B97 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Celeron G4930 versus 3.2 GHz on the Phenom II X4 B97 — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Celeron G4930 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Phenom II X4 B97 uses Deneb (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G4930 scores 2,551 against the Phenom II X4 B97's 2,540 — a 0.4% lead for the Celeron G4930. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron G4930 vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X4 B97.

FeatureCeleron G4930Phenom II X4 B97
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock
3.2 GHz
3.2 GHz
Base Clock
3.2 GHz
3.2 GHz
L3 Cache
2 MB
6 MB (total)+200%
L2 Cache
512 kB
512 kB (per core)
Process
14 nm-69%
45 nm
Architecture
Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
Deneb (2009−2011)
PassMark
2,551
2,540
Geekbench 6 Single
672
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,229
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron G4930 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X4 B97 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCeleron G4930Phenom II X4 B97
Socket
LGA1151
AM3
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Celeron G4930) / not specified (Phenom II X4 B97). The Celeron G4930 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 610), while the Phenom II X4 B97 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G4930 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron G4930 rivals Pentium G5420.

FeatureCeleron G4930Phenom II X4 B97
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 G4930 was priced at $42, while the Phenom II X4 B97 came in at $100. On launch pricing ($42 vs $100), Celeron G4930 was $58 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G4930 delivers 60.7 pts/$ vs 25.4 pts/$ for the Phenom II X4 B97 — making the Celeron G4930 the 82% better value option.

FeatureCeleron G4930Phenom II X4 B97
MSRP
$42-58%
$100
Performance per Dollar
60.7+139%
25.4
Release Date
2019
2010

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