Celeron N5095A vs Core i7-2720QM

Intel

Celeron N5095A

4 Cores4 Thrd1.5 WWMax: 2.9 GHz2021
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i7-2720QM

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2011
Similar parts
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Celeron N5095A vs Core i7-2720QM Performance Spectrum

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 N5095A vs Core i7-2720QM 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 N5095A vs Core i7-2720QM: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron N5095A

2021

Why buy it

  • +1% higher PassMark.
  • Draws 2W instead of 45W, a 44W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-2720QM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i7-2720QM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-2720QM

2011

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +11.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 3000, while Celeron N5095A needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (4,015 vs 4,054).
  • Launch MSRP is still $378 MSRP, while Celeron N5095A mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 2900% higher power demand at 45W vs 1.5W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron N5095A better than Core i7-2720QM?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-2720QM is ahead with a 11.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron N5095A pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark. Core i7-2720QM also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron N5095A is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Celeron N5095A is still the much better call for a fresh build. Celeron N5095A comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $378 MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. Core i7-2720QM only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (10.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA988.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Celeron N5095A makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron N5095A vs Core i7-2720QM Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Celeron N5095A

The Celeron N5095A is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Jasper Lake (2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 1.5 MB. Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1338. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,054 points. Launch price was $69.

Intel

Core i7-2720QM

The Core i7-2720QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,015 points. Launch price was $378.

Processing Power

The Celeron N5095A packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-2720QM's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Celeron N5095A versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-2720QM — a 12.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-2720QM (base: 2 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Celeron N5095A uses the Jasper Lake (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i7-2720QM uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N5095A scores 4,054 against the Core i7-2720QM's 4,015 — a 1% lead for the Celeron N5095A. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Celeron N5095A vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-2720QM.

FeatureCeleron N5095ACore i7-2720QM
Cores / Threads
4 / 4
4 / 8
Boost Clock
2.9 GHz
3.3 GHz+14%
Base Clock
2 GHz
2.2 GHz+10%
L3 Cache
4 MB
6 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache
1.5 MB
256K (per core)+16967%
Process
10 nm-69%
32 nm
Architecture
Jasper Lake (2021)
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark
4,054
4,015
Geekbench 6 Single
700
Geekbench 6 Multi
2,600
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Memory & Platform

The Celeron N5095A uses the BGA1338 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i7-2720QM uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCeleron N5095ACore i7-2720QM
Socket
BGA1338
PGA988
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0+100%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
16
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Celeron N5095A) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-2720QM). The Core i7-2720QM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Celeron N5095A requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2720QM targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-2720QM rivals AMD A8-3510MX.

FeatureCeleron N5095ACore i7-2720QM
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Performance Laptop