CPU
GPU
Core i3-3120M
Celeron G1630
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 i3-3120M is positioned at rank 460 and the Celeron G1630 is on rank 495, so the Core i3-3120M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3120M
Performance Per Dollar Celeron G1630
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-3120M | Celeron G1630 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($5) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-3120M | Celeron G1630 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($5) |
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 i3-3120M and Celeron G1630
Core i3-3120M
The Core i3-3120M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) 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: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,709 points. Launch price was $160.
Celeron G1630
The Celeron G1630 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 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: 1,707 points. Launch price was $80.
Processing Power
The Core i3-3120M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Celeron G1630's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Core i3-3120M versus 2.8 GHz on the Celeron G1630 — a 11.3% clock advantage for the Celeron G1630 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). Both are built on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i3-3120M scores 1,709 against the Celeron G1630's 1,707 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i3-3120M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 440 vs 386, a 13.1% lead for the Core i3-3120M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 930 vs 635 (37.7% advantage for the Core i3-3120M). L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3120M vs 2 MB (total) on the Celeron G1630.
| Feature | Core i3-3120M | Celeron G1630 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.5 GHz | 2.8 GHz+12% |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 2.8 GHz+12% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total)+50% | 2 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,709 | 1,707 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 440+14% | 386 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 930+46% | 635 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-3120M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Celeron G1630 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1600 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: HM76,HM77 (Core i3-3120M) and H61,B75,H77,Z77 (Celeron G1630).
| Feature | Core i3-3120M | Celeron G1630 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | 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. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-3120M) vs VT-x (Celeron G1630). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i3-3120M) and HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge) (Celeron G1630) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3120M targets Budget Laptop, Celeron G1630 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i3-3120M rivals AMD A8-4500M; Celeron G1630 rivals Pentium G2030.
| Feature | Core i3-3120M | Celeron G1630 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge) |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x |
| Target Use | Budget Laptop | Budget |
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