Celeron G5900 vs Core i5-4288U

Intel

Celeron G5900

2 Cores2 Thrd58 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2020
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i5-4288U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2013

Celeron G5900 vs Core i5-4288U 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 G5900 vs Core i5-4288U 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 G5900 vs Core i5-4288U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G5900

2020

Why buy it

  • Costs $292 less on MSRP ($50 MSRP vs $342 MSRP).
  • Delivers 589.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 53.6 vs 7.8 PassMark/$ ($50 MSRP vs $342 MSRP).
  • Draws 58W instead of 512W, a 454W reduction.
  • 33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (850 vs 880).
  • Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,600 vs 1,800).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).

Core i5-4288U

2013

Why buy it

  • +3.5% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
  • +50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.8 vs 53.6 PassMark/$ ($342 MSRP vs $50 MSRP).
  • 782.8% higher power demand at 512W vs 58W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4288U better than Celeron G5900?
Yes. Core i5-4288U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 43 shared CPU game tests in our data and 12.5% better Geekbench multi-core, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i5-4288U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.8% more average FPS across 43 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4288U is the stronger fit. You are getting 12.5% 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 i5-4288U is still the better call for a fresh build. Core i5-4288U comes in 584.0% more expensive on MSRP at $342 MSRP versus $50 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 43 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron G5900 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 2,682 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 G5900 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron G5900 vs Core i5-4288U Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Celeron G5900

The Celeron G5900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 58 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 2,682 points. Launch price was $69.

Intel

Core i5-4288U

The Core i5-4288U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,659 points. Launch price was $342.

Processing Power

The Celeron G5900 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-4288U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Celeron G5900 versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-4288U — a 9.2% clock advantage for the Celeron G5900 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Celeron G5900 uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-4288U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G5900 scores 2,682 against the Core i5-4288U's 2,659 — a 0.9% lead for the Celeron G5900. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 850 vs 880, a 3.5% lead for the Core i5-4288U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,600 vs 1,800 (11.8% advantage for the Core i5-4288U). L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron G5900 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-4288U.

FeatureCeleron G5900Core i5-4288U
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 4
Boost Clock
3.4 GHz+10%
3.1 GHz
Base Clock
3.4 GHz+31%
2.6 GHz
L3 Cache
2 MB (total)
3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
256K (per core)
Process
14 nm-36%
22 nm
Architecture
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark
2,682
2,659
Geekbench 6 Single
850
880+4%
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,600
1,800+13%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron G5900 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-4288U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Celeron G5900 versus DDR3L 1600 MHz on the Core i5-4288U — the Celeron G5900 supports 66.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron G5900 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Celeron G5900) vs 12 (Core i5-4288U) — the Celeron G5900 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Celeron G5900) and Intel HM86,Intel HM87,Intel QM87 (Core i5-4288U).

FeatureCeleron G5900Core i5-4288U
Socket
LGA1200
FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666+67%
DDR3L 1600 MHz
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB+700%
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
Yes
No
PCIe Lanes
16+33%
12
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G5900) vs true (Core i5-4288U). Both include integrated graphics UHD Graphics 610 (Celeron G5900) and Intel Iris Graphics 5100 (Core i5-4288U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G5900 targets Budget, Core i5-4288U targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Celeron G5900 rivals Pentium Gold G6400.

FeatureCeleron G5900Core i5-4288U
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 610
Intel Iris Graphics 5100
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x
true
Target Use
Budget
Mobile
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G5900 was priced at $50, while the Core i5-4288U came in at $342. On launch pricing ($50 vs $342), Celeron G5900 was $292 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G5900 delivers 53.6 pts/$ vs 7.8 pts/$ for the Core i5-4288U — making the Celeron G5900 the 149.4% better value option.

FeatureCeleron G5900Core i5-4288U
MSRP
$50-85%
$342
Performance per Dollar
53.6+587%
7.8
Release Date
2020
2013

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