Core i3-2120T vs Celeron 4305U

Core i3-2120T

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2011

Celeron 4305U

2 Cores2 Thrd15 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2019

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-2120T

2 / 4

1,570

+0.5%

1,562

0.0%

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 i3-2120T is positioned at rank 956 and the Celeron 4305U is on rank 109, so the Celeron 4305U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2120T

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

25220%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

23830%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

17303%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

5213%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

4129%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

3612%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

2069%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

2042%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1859%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1859%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1838%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1789%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1764%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1756%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1740%

#956

Core i3-2120T

MSRP: $127|Avg: $38

100%

#957

Phenom II X3 720

MSRP: $130|Avg: $64

100%

#958

Pentium E6300

MSRP: $84|Avg: $15

99%

#959

Core i5-661

MSRP: $196|Avg: $40

99%

#960

Core i3-4150

MSRP: $281|Avg: $70

98%

#961

Core i5-750

MSRP: $210|Avg: $30

98%

#962

Core i3-2100T

MSRP: $127|Avg: $127

98%

#963

Pentium E2210

MSRP: $84|Avg: $15

97%

#964

Core i3-560

MSRP: $138|Avg: $10

96%

#965

Core i3-550

MSRP: $138|Avg: $5

96%

#966

Core i7-980

MSRP: $583|Avg: $50

96%

#967

Pentium G3250

MSRP: $171|Avg: $25

95%

#968

Pentium E2200

MSRP: $84|Avg: $5

95%

#969

Core 2 Duo E7300

MSRP: $133|Avg: $133

95%

#970

Core i3-540

MSRP: $133|Avg: $5

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Celeron 4305U

#31

Ryzen 5 230

MSRP: $200|Avg: $190

97%

#97

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

282%

#98

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

278%

#99

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

255%

#100

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

254%

#101

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

251%

#103

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

243%

#104

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

233%

#105

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

232%

#106

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

226%

#109

Celeron 4305U

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

100%

#110

Celeron J1850

MSRP: $82|Avg: N/A

99%

#114

Core i3-4100M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $99

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Celeron 4305U (2019) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4-2133, LPDDR3-1866, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i3-2120T	Celeron 4305U
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($38)	⚠️ Higher cost ($107)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	✨ Modern (Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i3-2120T (2011) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i3-2120T	Celeron 4305U
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+183%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($38)	⚠️ Higher cost ($107)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i3-2120T Benchmark Check

Celeron 4305U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-2120T and Celeron 4305U

Core i3-2120T

The Core i3-2120T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 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: 1,570 points. Launch price was $50.

Celeron 4305U

The Celeron 4305U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2133, LPDDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 1,562 points. Launch price was $107.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-2120T packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Celeron 4305U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Core i3-2120T versus 2.2 GHz on the Celeron 4305U — a 16.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-2120T (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i3-2120T uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Celeron 4305U uses Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2120T scores 1,570 against the Celeron 4305U's 1,562 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i3-2120T. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2120T vs 2 MB (total) on the Celeron 4305U.

Feature	Core i3-2120T	Celeron 4305U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz+18%	2.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+18%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)+50%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019)
PassMark	1,570	1,562
Geekbench 6 Single	403	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-2120T uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron 4305U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i3-2120T versus 2133 on the Celeron 4305U — the Celeron 4305U supports 199.4% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron 4305U supports up to 64 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,B65,Q65,Q67,H67,P67,Z68,B75,Q75,Q77,H77,Z75,Z77 (Core i3-2120T) and Whiskey Lake-U (Celeron 4305U).

Feature	Core i3-2120T	Celeron 4305U
Socket	LGA1155	FCBGA1528
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	2133+71000%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+52428700%	64
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, EPT (Core i3-2120T) vs true (Celeron 4305U). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 2000 (Core i3-2120T) and Intel UHD Graphics 610 (Celeron 4305U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-2120T targets Budget Desktop, Celeron 4305U targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i3-2120T rivals A6-3500; Celeron 4305U rivals Pentium Gold 5405U.