Celeron G5905 vs Core i7-870S

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 G5905 vs Core i7-870S 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 G5905 vs Core i7-870S: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G5905

2020

Why buy it

✅Draws 58W instead of 82W, a 24W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 610, while Core i7-870S needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-870S across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,760 vs 2,765).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i7-870S

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $300 MSRP, while Celeron G5905 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌41.4% higher power demand at 82W vs 58W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron G5905 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-870S better than Celeron G5905?

Yes. Core i7-870S is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.2% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-870S is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.9% 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 i7-870S is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Core i7-870S is the better buy right now. Core i7-870S comes in at an unclear MSRP at $300 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (9.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Celeron G5905 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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

Celeron G5905 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron G5905 vs Core i7-870S Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G5905

The Celeron G5905 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency: 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 58 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 2,760 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i7-870S

The Core i7-870S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 July 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 82 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,765 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Celeron G5905 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core i7-870S offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-870S has 2 more cores. The Core i7-870S is built on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. In PassMark, the Celeron G5905 scores 2,760 against the Core i7-870S's 2,765 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-870S. L3 cache: 4 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Celeron G5905 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-870S.

Feature	Celeron G5905	Core i7-870S
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	—	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+32%	2.66 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB Intel® Smart Cache	8 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	—	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	—	Lynnfield (2009−2010)
PassMark	2,760	2,765
Geekbench 6 Single	724	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,242	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron G5905 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-870S uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron G5905	Core i7-870S
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1156
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Celeron G5905) / not specified (Core i7-870S). The Celeron G5905 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 610), while the Core i7-870S requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G5905 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron G5905 rivals Pentium Gold G6405.