Core i3-4020Y vs Celeron 3955U
Core i3-4020Y
Celeron 3955U
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 i3-4020Y is positioned at rank 716 and the Celeron 3955U is on rank 616, so the Celeron 3955U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-4020Y
Performance Per Dollar Celeron 3955U
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-4020Y | Celeron 3955U |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-4020Y | Celeron 3955U |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 i3-4020Y and Celeron 3955U
Core i3-4020Y
The Core i3-4020Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 11.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,448 points. Launch price was $304.
Celeron 3955U
The Celeron 3955U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 August 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, LPDDR3-1600/1866, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,443 points. Launch price was $107.
Processing Power
The Core i3-4020Y packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Celeron 3955U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.5 GHz on the Core i3-4020Y versus 2 GHz on the Celeron 3955U — a 28.6% clock advantage for the Celeron 3955U (base: 1.5 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i3-4020Y uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Celeron 3955U uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4020Y scores 1,448 against the Celeron 3955U's 1,443 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-4020Y. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-4020Y vs 2 MB on the Celeron 3955U.
| Feature | Core i3-4020Y | Celeron 3955U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 1.5 GHz | 2 GHz+33% |
| Base Clock | 1.5 GHz | 2 GHz+33% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB+50% | 2 MB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 512 kB |
| Process | 22 nm | 14 nm-36% |
| Architecture | Haswell (2013−2015) | Skylake (2015−2016) |
| PassMark | 1,448 | 1,443 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 431 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 741 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-4020Y uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Celeron 3955U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the Core i3-4020Y versus DDR4-2133 on the Celeron 3955U — the Core i3-4020Y supports 199% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron 3955U supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 12 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: BGA1168 (Core i3-4020Y) and Sunrise Point-LP (Celeron 3955U).
| Feature | Core i3-4020Y | Celeron 3955U |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1168 | BGA1356 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1600+39900% | DDR4-2133 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 | 32 GB+209715100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 12 | 12 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: true (Core i3-4020Y) vs VT-x, VT-d (Celeron 3955U). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 4200 (Core i3-4020Y) and HD Graphics 510 (Celeron 3955U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 3955U targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 3955U rivals Pentium 3825U.
| Feature | Core i3-4020Y | Celeron 3955U |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 4200 | HD Graphics 510 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Budget |
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