Celeron N4120 vs Phenom II X4 N950

Celeron N4120

4 Cores4 Thrd4 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2019

Phenom II X4 N950

4 Cores4 Thrd2 WWMax: 2.1 GHz2010

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Celeron N4120

4 / 4

2,463

0.0%

2,485

+0.9%

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Celeron N4120 is positioned at rank 1239 and the Phenom II X4 N950 is on rank 180, so the Phenom II X4 N950 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Celeron N4120

#1227

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

15524%

#1228

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

15296%

#1229

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

14042%

#1230

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

13979%

#1231

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

13851%

#1233

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

13376%

#1234

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

12825%

#1235

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

12804%

#1236

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

12460%

#1239

Celeron N4120

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#1240

Core Solo T1300

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

97%

#1241

Core Solo T1200

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

90%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Phenom II X4 N950

#49

Core i9-12900HX

MSRP: $606|Avg: N/A

100%

#167

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

354%

#168

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

349%

#169

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

320%

#170

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

319%

#171

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

316%

#173

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

305%

#174

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

293%

#175

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

292%

#176

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

284%

#180

Phenom II X4 N950

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#192

Pentium Gold 4417U

MSRP: $161|Avg: N/A

98%

#194

Atom N475

MSRP: $75|Avg: N/A

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Celeron N4120 (2019) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Celeron N4120	Phenom II X4 N950
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	✨ Modern (Gemini Lake Refresh (2019) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Champlain (2010−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Phenom II X4 N950 (2010) relies on 45 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Celeron N4120	Phenom II X4 N950
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Celeron N4120 Benchmark Check

Phenom II X4 N950 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Celeron N4120 and Phenom II X4 N950

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.

Phenom II X4 N950

The Phenom II X4 N950 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.1 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 2,485 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Celeron N4120 and Phenom II X4 N950 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Celeron N4120 versus 2.1 GHz on the Phenom II X4 N950 — a 21.3% clock advantage for the Celeron N4120. The Celeron N4120 uses the Gemini Lake Refresh (2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Phenom II X4 N950 uses Champlain (2010−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N4120 scores 2,463 against the Phenom II X4 N950's 2,485 — a 0.9% lead for the Phenom II X4 N950.

Feature	Celeron N4120	Phenom II X4 N950
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz+24%	2.1 GHz
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	—
L3 Cache	4 MB	—
L2 Cache	4 MB+100%	2 MB
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Gemini Lake Refresh (2019)	Champlain (2010−2011)
PassMark	2,463	2,485

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron N4120 uses the FCBGA1090 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X4 N950 uses S1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.