Core i3-2102 vs Celeron G3900E
Core i3-2102
Celeron G3900E
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 i3-2102 is positioned at rank 857 and the Celeron G3900E is on rank 816, so the Celeron G3900E offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2102
Performance Per Dollar Celeron G3900E
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-2102 | Celeron G3900E |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($35) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-2102 | Celeron G3900E |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+133%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($35) |
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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-2102 and Celeron G3900E
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.
Celeron G3900E
The Celeron G3900E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 2,034 points. Launch price was $107.
Processing Power
The Core i3-2102 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Celeron G3900E's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i3-2102 versus 2.4 GHz on the Celeron G3900E — a 25.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-2102. The Core i3-2102 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Celeron G3900E uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2102 scores 2,029 against the Celeron G3900E's 2,034 — a 0.2% lead for the Celeron G3900E. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 515 vs 699, a 30.3% lead for the Celeron G3900E that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,082 vs 948 (13.2% advantage for the Core i3-2102). L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2102 vs 2 MB on the Celeron G3900E.
| Feature | Core i3-2102 | Celeron G3900E |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 3.1 GHz+29% | 2.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.1 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total)+50% | 2 MB |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 512 kB+100% |
| Process | 32 nm | 14 nm-56% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Skylake (2015−2016) |
| PassMark | 2,029 | 2,034 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 515 | 699+36% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,082+14% | 948 |
Memory & Platform
Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i3-2102 versus DDR4-2133 on the Celeron G3900E — the Celeron G3900E supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron G3900E supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H61,H67,P67,Z68 (Core i3-2102) and H110,B150,H170,Z170 (Celeron G3900E).
| Feature | Core i3-2102 | Celeron G3900E |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | — |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR4-2133+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 64 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 2000 (Core i3-2102) and HD Graphics 510 (Celeron G3900E) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-2102 targets Office Desktop, Celeron G3900E targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron G3900E rivals Pentium G4400.
| Feature | Core i3-2102 | Celeron G3900E |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 2000 | HD Graphics 510 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x | VT-x |
| Target Use | Office Desktop | Budget |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-2102 launched at $117 MSRP, while the Celeron G3900E debuted at $107. At current prices ($15 vs $35), the Core i3-2102 is $20 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-2102 delivers 135.3 pts/$ vs 58.1 pts/$ for the Celeron G3900E — making the Core i3-2102 the 79.8% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-2102 | Celeron G3900E |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $117 | $107-9% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $15-57% | $35 |
| Performance per Dollar | 135.3+133% | 58.1 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2016 |
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