Celeron N4020 vs Phenom II X3 705e

Celeron N4020 vs Phenom II X3 705e Performance Spectrum

Celeron N4020

2 / 2

1,535

+1.1%

1,519

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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 N4020 vs Phenom II X3 705e 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 Phenom II X3 705e: 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

✅Draws 4W instead of 65W, a 61W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).

Phenom II X3 705e

2009

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,519 vs 1,535).
❌1525% higher power demand at 65W vs 4W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron N4020 better than Phenom II X3 705e?

Yes. Celeron N4020 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.1% 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 0.3% 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 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron N4020 still makes the most sense overall. Celeron N4020 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 3/3. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron N4020 vs Phenom II X3 705e 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.

Phenom II X3 705e

The Phenom II X3 705e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2 June 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Heka (2009−2010) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,519 points. Launch price was $152.

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Processing Power

The Celeron N4020 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Phenom II X3 705e offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Phenom II X3 705e has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Celeron N4020 versus 2.5 GHz on the Phenom II X3 705e — 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 Phenom II X3 705e uses Heka (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N4020 scores 1,535 against the Phenom II X3 705e's 1,519 — a 1% lead for the Celeron N4020. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Celeron N4020 vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X3 705e.

Feature	Celeron N4020	Phenom II X3 705e
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	3 / 3+50%
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+12%	2.5 GHz
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	2.5 GHz+127%
L3 Cache	4 MB	6 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	4 MB+700%	512 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Gemini Lake Refresh (2019)	Heka (2009−2010)
PassMark	1,535+1%	1,519

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron N4020 uses the FCBGA1090 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X3 705e uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.