Celeron G4950 vs Core i3-7100U

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 G4950 vs Core i3-7100U 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 G4950 vs Core i3-7100U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G4950

2019

Why buy it

✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (672 vs 841).
❌Lower PassMark (2,714 vs 2,721).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $52 MSRP, while Core i3-7100U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌260% higher power demand at 54W vs 15W.

Core i3-7100U

2016

Why buy it

✅+25.1% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 15W instead of 54W, a 39W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-7100U better than Celeron G4950?

Yes. Core i3-7100U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-7100U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.6% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7100U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, 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?

Core i3-7100U is still the better call for a fresh build. Core i3-7100U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $52 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron G4950 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is so cheap, but its absolute performance tier is too low to be the better recommendation now. At roughly 2,714 PassMark with 2 cores and 2 threads, it only really makes sense as a bare-minimum stopgap or a very constrained existing-platform upgrade.

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

Celeron G4950 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2016). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron G4950 vs Core i3-7100U Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G4950

The Celeron G4950 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 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 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: 2,714 points. Launch price was $52.

Core i3-7100U

The Core i3-7100U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,721 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

The Celeron G4950 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-7100U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Celeron G4950 versus 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-7100U — a 31.6% clock advantage for the Celeron G4950 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Celeron G4950 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-7100U uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G4950 scores 2,714 against the Core i3-7100U's 2,721 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-7100U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 672 vs 841, a 22.3% lead for the Core i3-7100U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron G4950 vs 3 MB on the Core i3-7100U.

Feature	Celeron G4950	Core i3-7100U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz+38%	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+38%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB	3 MB+50%
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	2,714	2,721
Geekbench 6 Single	672	841+25%
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,229	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron G4950 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-7100U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Celeron G4950 versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i3-7100U — the Celeron G4950 supports 12.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron G4950 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. PCIe lanes: 16 (Celeron G4950) vs 12 (Core i3-7100U) — the Celeron G4950 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Celeron G4950	Core i3-7100U
Socket	LGA1151	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+13%	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G4950) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-7100U). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 610 (Celeron G4950) and HD Graphics 620 (Core i3-7100U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G4950 targets Budget, Core i3-7100U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Celeron G4950 rivals Pentium G5420; Core i3-7100U rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.

Feature	Celeron G4950	Core i3-7100U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 610	HD Graphics 620
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Budget	Mainstream Laptop