Celeron N4120 vs Core i5-5250U

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 N4120 vs Core i5-5250U 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 N4120 vs Core i5-5250U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron N4120

2019

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 4W instead of 512W, a 508W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-5250U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-5250U

2015

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 6000, while Celeron N4120 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,450 vs 2,463).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌12700% higher power demand at 512W vs 4W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron N4120 better than Core i5-5250U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-5250U is ahead with 3.8% higher max boost clock. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron N4120 pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark. Celeron N4120 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron N4120 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 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 N4120 still makes the most sense overall. Celeron N4120 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark.

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

Celeron N4120 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2015), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron N4120 vs Core i5-5250U Technical Specifications

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

Celeron N4120

The Celeron N4120 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Gemini Lake Refresh (2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 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: 2,463 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i5-5250U

The Core i5-5250U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,450 points. Launch price was $315.

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Processing Power

The Celeron N4120 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-5250U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Celeron N4120 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Celeron N4120 versus 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-5250U — a 3.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-5250U (base: 1.1 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Celeron N4120 uses the Gemini Lake Refresh (2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-5250U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N4120 scores 2,463 against the Core i5-5250U's 2,450 — a 0.5% lead for the Celeron N4120. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Celeron N4120 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-5250U.

Feature	Celeron N4120	Core i5-5250U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz	2.7 GHz+4%
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	1.6 GHz+45%
L3 Cache	4 MB+33%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4 MB	256K (per core)+6300%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Gemini Lake Refresh (2019)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	2,463	2,450

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron N4120 uses the FCBGA1090 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-5250U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron N4120	Core i5-5250U
Socket	FCBGA1090	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	1866
Max RAM Capacity	—	16
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	12

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Celeron N4120) / true (Core i5-5250U). The Core i5-5250U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 6000), while the Celeron N4120 requires a dedicated GPU.