Celeron N4000C vs Pentium 2020M

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 N4000C vs Pentium 2020M 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 N4000C vs Pentium 2020M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron N4000C

2019

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 6W instead of 512W, a 506W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Pentium 2020M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Pentium 2020M

2012

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge), while Celeron N4000C needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,412 vs 1,430).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $134 MSRP, while Celeron N4000C mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌8433.3% higher power demand at 512W vs 6W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron N4000C better than Pentium 2020M?

Yes. Celeron N4000C is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.3% better 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, Celeron N4000C is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.2% more average FPS across 49 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron N4000C is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Celeron N4000C is still the much better call for a fresh build. Celeron N4000C comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium 2020M only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (10.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA988.

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

Celeron N4000C makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2012), 100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron N4000C vs Pentium 2020M Technical Specifications

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

Celeron N4000C

The Celeron N4000C is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1090. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4/LPDDR4 up to 2400 MT/s. Passmark benchmark score: 1,430 points. Launch price was $69.

Pentium 2020M

The Pentium 2020M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) 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: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,412 points. Launch price was $134.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Celeron N4000C and Pentium 2020M share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Celeron N4000C versus 2.4 GHz on the Pentium 2020M — a 8% clock advantage for the Celeron N4000C (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Pentium 2020M is built on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. In PassMark, the Celeron N4000C scores 1,430 against the Pentium 2020M's 1,412 — a 1.3% lead for the Celeron N4000C. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Celeron N4000C vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 2020M.

Feature	Celeron N4000C	Pentium 2020M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz+8%	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	2.4 GHz+118%
L3 Cache	4 MB+100%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	—	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	—	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	1,430+1%	1,412
Geekbench 6 Single	—	391
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	667

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron N4000C uses the FCBGA1090 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium 2020M uses PGA988 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron N4000C	Pentium 2020M
Socket	FCBGA1090	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Celeron N4000C) / VT-x / EPT (Pentium 2020M). The Pentium 2020M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge)), while the Celeron N4000C requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium 2020M targets Budget.