Celeron N4020 vs Core i3-2100T

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 N4020 vs Core i3-2100T 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 N4020 vs Core i3-2100T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron N4020

2019

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 4W instead of 35W, a 31W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i3-2100T

2011

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,531 vs 1,535).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $127 MSRP, while Celeron N4020 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌775% higher power demand at 35W vs 4W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron N4020 better than Core i3-2100T?

Yes. Celeron N4020 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% 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 N4020 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.4% 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, Celeron N4020 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Celeron N4020 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Celeron N4020 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $127 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-2100T only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (12.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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?

Celeron N4020 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2011), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron N4020 vs Core i3-2100T Technical Specifications

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

Celeron N4020

The Celeron N4020 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Gemini Lake Refresh (2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1090. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,535 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i3-2100T

The Core i3-2100T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,531 points. Launch price was $180.

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Processing Power

The Celeron N4020 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-2100T's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Celeron N4020 versus 2.5 GHz on the Core i3-2100T — a 11.3% clock advantage for the Celeron N4020 (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Celeron N4020 uses the Gemini Lake Refresh (2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-2100T uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N4020 scores 1,535 against the Core i3-2100T's 1,531 — a 0.3% lead for the Celeron N4020. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Celeron N4020 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2100T.

Feature	Celeron N4020	Core i3-2100T
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+12%	2.5 GHz
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	2.5 GHz+127%
L3 Cache	4 MB+33%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4 MB+1500%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Gemini Lake Refresh (2019)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,535	1,531

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron N4020 uses the FCBGA1090 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-2100T uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.