Celeron G530 vs Pentium N3520

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 G530 vs Pentium N3520 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

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Celeron G530 vs Pentium N3520: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G530

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $58 less on MSRP ($42 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
✅Delivers 138.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 27.3 vs 11.4 PassMark/$ ($42 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge), while Pentium N3520 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌3150% higher power demand at 65W vs 2W.

Pentium N3520

2013

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 65W, a 63W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,144 vs 1,148).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.4 vs 27.3 PassMark/$ ($100 MSRP vs $42 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron G530 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium N3520 better than Celeron G530?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium N3520 is ahead with a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G530 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G530 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium N3520 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium N3520 comes in 138.1% more expensive on MSRP at $100 MSRP versus $42 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron G530 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 138.9% better value on paper (27.3 vs 11.4 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

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

Pentium N3520 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron G530 vs Pentium N3520 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G530

The Celeron G530 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,148 points. Launch price was $50.

Pentium N3520

The Pentium N3520 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 December 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.17 GHz, with boost up to 2.42 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 7.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,144 points. Launch price was $161.

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Processing Power

The Celeron G530 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Pentium N3520 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium N3520 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Celeron G530 versus 2.42 GHz on the Pentium N3520 — a 0.8% clock advantage for the Pentium N3520 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.17 GHz). The Celeron G530 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium N3520 uses Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G530 scores 1,148 against the Pentium N3520's 1,144 — a 0.3% lead for the Celeron G530. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron G530 vs 2 MB on the Pentium N3520.

Feature	Celeron G530	Pentium N3520
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	2.42 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+11%	2.17 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	2 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	2 MB+700%
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Bay Trail-M (2013−2014)
PassMark	1,148	1,144
Geekbench 6 Single	379	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	663	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron G530 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium N3520 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron G530	Pentium N3520
Socket	LGA1155	FCBGA1170
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Celeron G530) / not specified (Pentium N3520). The Celeron G530 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)), while the Pentium N3520 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G530 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron G530 rivals Pentium G630.

Feature	Celeron G530	Pentium N3520
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Budget	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G530 was priced at $42, while the Pentium N3520 came in at $100. On launch pricing ($42 vs $100), Celeron G530 was $58 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G530 delivers 27.3 pts/$ vs 11.4 pts/$ for the Pentium N3520 — making the Celeron G530 the 82% better value option.

Feature	Celeron G530	Pentium N3520
MSRP	$42-58%	$100
Performance per Dollar	27.3+139%	11.4
Release Date	2011	2013

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