Core i3-2100T vs Celeron N4020
Core i3-2100T
Celeron N4020
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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 Core i3-2100T is positioned at rank 962 and the Celeron N4020 is on rank 993, so the Core i3-2100T offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2100T
Performance Per Dollar Celeron N4020
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-2100T | Celeron N4020 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($127) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Gemini Lake Refresh (2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-2100T | Celeron N4020 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($127) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-2100T and Celeron N4020
Core i3-2100T
The Core i3-2100T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,531 points. Launch price was $180.
Celeron N4020
The Celeron N4020 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Gemini Lake Refresh (2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 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: 1,535 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The Core i3-2100T packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Celeron N4020's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Core i3-2100T versus 2.8 GHz on the Celeron N4020 — a 11.3% clock advantage for the Celeron N4020 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i3-2100T uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Celeron N4020 uses Gemini Lake Refresh (2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2100T scores 1,531 against the Celeron N4020's 1,535 — a 0.3% lead for the Celeron N4020. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2100T vs 4 MB on the Celeron N4020.
| Feature | Core i3-2100T | Celeron N4020 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.5 GHz | 2.8 GHz+12% |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz+127% | 1.1 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 4 MB+33% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 4 MB+1500% |
| Process | 32 nm | 14 nm-56% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Gemini Lake Refresh (2019) |
| PassMark | 1,531 | 1,535 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-2100T uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron N4020 uses FCBGA1090 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-2100T | Celeron N4020 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | FCBGA1090 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
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