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 G550 vs Core i3-4012Y 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 G550 vs Core i3-4012Y: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G550

2012

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (379 vs 485).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (663 vs 988).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $52 MSRP, while Core i3-4012Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i3-4012Y

2013

Why buy it

✅+28% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

Trade-offs

❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4012Y better than Celeron G550?

Yes. Core i3-4012Y is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 49% better Geekbench multi-core, 0.2% higher PassMark, 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, Core i3-4012Y is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.5% 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 i3-4012Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 49% 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?

Core i3-4012Y is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-4012Y comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $52 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron G550 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (24.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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?

Core i3-4012Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012), 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron G550 vs Core i3-4012Y Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G550

The Celeron G550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 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: 1,275 points. Launch price was $80.

Core i3-4012Y

The Core i3-4012Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 11.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,278 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Celeron G550 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-4012Y's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Celeron G550 versus 1.5 GHz on the Core i3-4012Y — a 53.7% clock advantage for the Celeron G550 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Celeron G550 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-4012Y uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G550 scores 1,275 against the Core i3-4012Y's 1,278 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i3-4012Y. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 379 vs 485, a 24.5% lead for the Core i3-4012Y that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 663 vs 988 (39.4% advantage for the Core i3-4012Y). L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron G550 vs 3 MB on the Core i3-4012Y.

Feature	Celeron G550	Core i3-4012Y
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz+73%	1.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+73%	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	3 MB+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	1,275	1,278
Geekbench 6 Single	379	485+28%
Geekbench 6 Multi	663	988+49%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron G550 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-4012Y uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1066 on the Celeron G550 versus DDR3L-1600 / LPDDR3-1600 on the Core i3-4012Y — the Core i3-4012Y supports 50.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron G550 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Celeron G550) vs 12 (Core i3-4012Y) — the Celeron G550 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H61,B65,H67,Z68 (Celeron G550) and HM86,HM87,QM87 (Core i3-4012Y).

Feature	Celeron G550	Core i3-4012Y
Socket	LGA1155	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	DDR3L-1600 / LPDDR3-1600+50%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+100%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G550) vs VT-x / EPT (Core i3-4012Y). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge) (Celeron G550) and Intel HD Graphics 4200 (Core i3-4012Y) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G550 targets Budget, Core i3-4012Y targets Low Power. Direct competitor: Celeron G550 rivals Pentium G630.

Feature	Celeron G550	Core i3-4012Y
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)	Intel HD Graphics 4200
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x / EPT
Target Use	Budget	Low Power