Celeron N3450 vs Pentium G3250

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 N3450 vs Pentium G3250 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 N3450 vs Pentium G3250: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron N3450

2016

Why buy it

✅Draws 6W instead of 54W, a 48W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (6 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 500, while Pentium G3250 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,981 vs 2,010).

Pentium G3250

2014

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $171 MSRP, while Celeron N3450 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌800% higher power demand at 54W vs 6W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron N3450 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G3250 better than Celeron N3450?

Yes. Pentium G3250 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 1.5% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium G3250 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, Pentium G3250 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium G3250 is the better buy right now. Pentium G3250 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $171 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (11.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Celeron N3450 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron N3450 vs Pentium G3250 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron N3450

The Celeron N3450 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Apollo Lake (2014−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1296. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,981 points. Launch price was $107.

Pentium G3250

The Pentium G3250 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 July 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 53 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,010 points. Launch price was $171.

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Processing Power

The Celeron N3450 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium G3250 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Celeron N3450 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Celeron N3450 versus 3.2 GHz on the Pentium G3250 — a 37% clock advantage for the Pentium G3250 (base: 1.1 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Celeron N3450 uses the Apollo Lake (2014−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium G3250 uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N3450 scores 1,981 against the Pentium G3250's 2,010 — a 1.5% lead for the Pentium G3250. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Celeron N3450 vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G3250.

Feature	Celeron N3450	Pentium G3250
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz	3.2 GHz+45%
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	3.2 GHz+191%
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB+700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Apollo Lake (2014−2016)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	1,981	2,010+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron N3450 uses the FCBGA1296 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium G3250 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron N3450	Pentium G3250
Socket	FCBGA1296	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	8	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	6	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Celeron N3450) / not specified (Pentium G3250). The Celeron N3450 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 500), while the Pentium G3250 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Celeron N3450 rivals AMD A4-9120.