Celeron N4120 vs Core i7-3667U

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 i7-3667U 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 i7-3667U: 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.
✅Draws 4W instead of 512W, a 508W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-3667U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-3667U

2012

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4000, while Celeron N4120 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,451 vs 2,463).
❌12700% higher power demand at 512W vs 4W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron N4120 better than Core i7-3667U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-3667U is ahead with a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron N4120 pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark.

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.

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 2012) 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 i7-3667U 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 i7-3667U

The Core i7-3667U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,451 points. Launch price was $346.

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Processing Power

The Celeron N4120 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-3667U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Celeron N4120 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Celeron N4120 versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i7-3667U — a 20.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-3667U (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Celeron N4120 uses the Gemini Lake Refresh (2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-3667U uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N4120 scores 2,463 against the Core i7-3667U's 2,451 — a 0.5% lead for the Celeron N4120. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Celeron N4120 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3667U.

Feature	Celeron N4120	Core i7-3667U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz	3.2 GHz+23%
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	2 GHz+82%
L3 Cache	4 MB	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4 MB	256K (per core)+6300%
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Gemini Lake Refresh (2019)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,463	2,451

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron N4120 uses the FCBGA1090 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3667U uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron N4120	Core i7-3667U
Socket	FCBGA1090	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	32
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Celeron N4120) / true (Core i7-3667U). The Core i7-3667U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Celeron N4120 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-3667U rivals AMD A10-4655M.