Core i3-2120T vs Celeron G1620

Core i3-2120T

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2011

Celeron G1620

2 Cores2 Thrd55 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2012

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-2120T

2 / 4

1,570

0.0%

1,586

+1.0%

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 G1620 is on rank 590, so the Celeron G1620 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 G1620

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

10220%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

9657%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

7012%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

2112%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

1673%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

1464%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

838%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

827%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

753%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

753%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

745%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

725%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

715%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

712%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

705%

#382

Ryzen Embedded R2544

MSRP: $280|Avg: $280

99%

#590

Celeron G1620

MSRP: $52|Avg: $40

100%

#591

Core i5-7600T

MSRP: $192|Avg: $60

100%

#593

Core i3-7300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $128

98%

#594

Celeron G1830

MSRP: $52|Avg: $5

98%

#596

Core i3-4160

MSRP: $117|Avg: $52

98%

#598

FX-8350

MSRP: $199|Avg: $130

98%

#599

Athlon X4 760K

MSRP: $100|Avg: $20

98%

#600

Core i5-6400

MSRP: $182|Avg: $57

98%

#602

Pentium G3460T

MSRP: $69|Avg: N/A

97%

#603

Core i3-6300

MSRP: $147|Avg: $99

97%

#604

Core i5-6402P

MSRP: $182|Avg: $120

96%

#605

Athlon II X4 620e

MSRP: $99|Avg: $40

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Celeron G1620 delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i3-2120T in both compute-intensive tasks (1% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core i3-2120T	Celeron G1620
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($38)	⚠️ Higher cost ($40)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Value Proposition: While both processors are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Core i3-2120T holds the technical lead in efficiency. Priced at $38 (vs $40), it costs 5% less. While offering basic entry-level performance, it results in a 4% higher cost efficiency score compared to the Celeron G1620.

Insight	Core i3-2120T	Celeron G1620
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+4%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($38)	⚠️ Higher cost ($40)

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 G1620 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-2120T and Celeron G1620

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 G1620

The Celeron G1620 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 December 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,586 points. Launch price was $208.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-2120T packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Celeron G1620's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Core i3-2120T versus 2.7 GHz on the Celeron G1620 — a 3.8% clock advantage for the Celeron G1620 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i3-2120T uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Celeron G1620 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2120T scores 1,570 against the Celeron G1620's 1,586 — a 1% lead for the Celeron G1620. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 403 vs 441, a 9% lead for the Celeron G1620 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2120T vs 2 MB (total) on the Celeron G1620.

Feature	Core i3-2120T	Celeron G1620
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz	2.7 GHz+4%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	2.7 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)+50%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	1,570	1,586+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	403	441+9%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	760

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1155 socket with PCIe 2.0. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. 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 H77,B75,Z77,H61,P67,Z68 (Celeron G1620).

Feature	Core i3-2120T	Celeron G1620
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	✅
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 2000 (Core i3-2120T) and Intel HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge GT1) (Celeron G1620) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-2120T targets Budget Desktop, Celeron G1620 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-2120T rivals A6-3500; Celeron G1620 rivals Pentium G2030.

Feature	Core i3-2120T	Celeron G1620
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 2000	Intel HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge GT1)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, EPT	VT-x, EPT
Target Use	Budget Desktop	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i3-2120T launched at $127 MSRP, while the Celeron G1620 debuted at $52. At current prices ($38 vs $40), the Core i3-2120T is $2 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-2120T delivers 41.3 pts/$ vs 39.6 pts/$ for the Celeron G1620 — making the Core i3-2120T the 4.1% better value option.