Celeron N4020 vs Phenom X4 9750B

Celeron N4020 vs Phenom X4 9750B Performance Spectrum

Celeron N4020

2 / 2

1,535

+1.0%

1,520

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 X4 9750B 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 X4 9750B: 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

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 4W instead of 95W, a 91W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Phenom X4 9750B

2008

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,520 vs 1,535).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $215 MSRP, while Celeron N4020 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌2275% higher power demand at 95W vs 4W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron N4020 better than Phenom X4 9750B?

Yes. Celeron N4020 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 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 0.1% 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% 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 N4020 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Celeron N4020 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $215 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Phenom X4 9750B only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2008 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (7.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM2+.

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 2008), 100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron N4020 vs Phenom X4 9750B 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 X4 9750B

The Phenom X4 9750B is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Agena (2007−2008) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: AM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,520 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Celeron N4020 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Phenom X4 9750B offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom X4 9750B has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Celeron N4020 versus 2.4 GHz on the Phenom X4 9750B — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Celeron N4020. The Celeron N4020 uses the Gemini Lake Refresh (2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Phenom X4 9750B uses Agena (2007−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N4020 scores 1,535 against the Phenom X4 9750B's 1,520 — a 1% lead for the Celeron N4020. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Celeron N4020 vs 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X4 9750B.

Feature	Celeron N4020	Phenom X4 9750B
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+17%	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	—
L3 Cache	4 MB+100%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4 MB+700%	512 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-78%	65 nm
Architecture	Gemini Lake Refresh (2019)	Agena (2007−2008)
PassMark	1,535	1,520
Geekbench 6 Single	—	300
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,000

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron N4020 uses the FCBGA1090 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom X4 9750B uses AM2+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.