Celeron N4505 vs Core i3-2102

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 N4505 vs Core i3-2102 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 N4505 vs Core i3-2102: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron N4505

2021

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 10W instead of 65W, a 55W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-2102 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-2102.

Core i3-2102

2011

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 2000, while Celeron N4505 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Celeron N4505.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,029 vs 2,037).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $117 MSRP, while Celeron N4505 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌550% higher power demand at 65W vs 10W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron N4505 better than Core i3-2102?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-2102 is ahead with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron N4505 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Celeron N4505 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 N4505 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 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 N4505 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Celeron N4505 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $117 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. Core i3-2102 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (17.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

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

Celeron N4505 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2011), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron N4505 vs Core i3-2102 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron N4505

The Celeron N4505 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Jasper Lake (2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.5 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1338. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,037 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i3-2102

The Core i3-2102 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,029 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Celeron N4505 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-2102's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Celeron N4505 versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i3-2102 — a 6.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-2102 (base: 2 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Celeron N4505 uses the Jasper Lake (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i3-2102 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N4505 scores 2,037 against the Core i3-2102's 2,029 — a 0.4% lead for the Celeron N4505. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Celeron N4505 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2102.

Feature	Celeron N4505	Core i3-2102
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz	3.1 GHz+7%
Base Clock	2 GHz	3.1 GHz+55%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)+33%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.5 MB (total)+500%	256 kB (per core)
Process	10 nm-69%	32 nm
Architecture	Jasper Lake (2021)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	2,037	2,029
Geekbench 6 Single	—	515
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,082

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron N4505 uses the BGA1338 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i3-2102 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron N4505	Core i3-2102
Socket	BGA1338	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+100%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Celeron N4505) / VT-x (Core i3-2102). The Core i3-2102 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 2000), while the Celeron N4505 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-2102 targets Office Desktop.