CPU
GPU
Core i3-3120M
Celeron G1820
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 G1820 is on rank 895, 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 G1820
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-3120M | Celeron G1820 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-3120M | Celeron G1820 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) |
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 G1820
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 G1820
The Celeron G1820 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 December 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) 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. L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 53 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,696 points. Launch price was $110.
Processing Power
The Core i3-3120M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Celeron G1820's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Core i3-3120M versus 2.7 GHz on the Celeron G1820 — a 7.7% clock advantage for the Celeron G1820 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i3-3120M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Celeron G1820 uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3120M scores 1,709 against the Celeron G1820's 1,696 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i3-3120M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 440 vs 496, a 12% lead for the Celeron G1820 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 930 vs 910 (2.2% advantage for the Core i3-3120M). L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3120M vs 2 MB on the Celeron G1820.
| Feature | Core i3-3120M | Celeron G1820 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.5 GHz | 2.7 GHz+8% |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 2.7 GHz+8% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total)+50% | 2 MB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Haswell (2013−2015) |
| PassMark | 1,709 | 1,696 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 440 | 496+13% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 930+2% | 910 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-3120M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Celeron G1820 uses LGA1150 (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 H81,B85,H87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Celeron G1820).
| Feature | Core i3-3120M | Celeron G1820 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | LGA1150 |
| 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 G1820). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i3-3120M) and HD Graphics (Haswell) (Celeron G1820) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3120M targets Budget Laptop, Celeron G1820 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i3-3120M rivals AMD A8-4500M; Celeron G1820 rivals Pentium G3220.
| Feature | Core i3-3120M | Celeron G1820 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | HD Graphics (Haswell) |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x |
| Target Use | Budget Laptop | Budget |
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