Celeron N6211 vs Core i3-5020U

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 N6211 vs Core i3-5020U 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 N6211 vs Core i3-5020U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron N6211

2022

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 512W, a 511W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-5020U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i3-5020U

2015

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 5500, while Celeron N6211 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,232 vs 2,245).
❌34033.3% higher power demand at 512W vs 1.5W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron N6211 better than Core i3-5020U?

Yes. Celeron N6211 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.6% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Celeron N6211 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron N6211 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Celeron N6211 still makes the most sense overall. Celeron N6211 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Celeron N6211 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2015) 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 N6211 vs Core i3-5020U Technical Specifications

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

Celeron N6211

The Celeron N6211 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 17 July 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Elkhart Lake (2022) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L2 cache: 1.5 MB. Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1493. Thermal design power (TDP): 1.5 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,245 points. Launch price was $54.

Core i3-5020U

The Core i3-5020U 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 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 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: 2,232 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

The Celeron N6211 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-5020U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Celeron N6211 versus 2.2 GHz on the Core i3-5020U — a 30.8% clock advantage for the Celeron N6211 (base: 1.2 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Celeron N6211 uses the Elkhart Lake (2022) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i3-5020U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N6211 scores 2,245 against the Core i3-5020U's 2,232 — a 0.6% lead for the Celeron N6211.

Feature	Celeron N6211	Core i3-5020U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3 GHz+36%	2.2 GHz
Base Clock	1.2 GHz	2.2 GHz+83%
L3 Cache	—	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.5 MB	256K (per core)+16967%
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Elkhart Lake (2022)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	2,245	2,232
Geekbench 6 Single	—	600
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,200

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron N6211 uses the BGA1493 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i3-5020U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron N6211	Core i3-5020U
Socket	BGA1493	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	12

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Celeron N6211) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-5020U). The Core i3-5020U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 5500), while the Celeron N6211 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-5020U targets Mainstream Laptop.