Core i5-3230M vs Celeron G4920

CPU

GPU

Core i5-3230M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2013

Celeron G4920

2 Cores2 Thrd54 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2018

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-3230M

2 / 4

2,565

+0.4%

2,555

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. The Core i5-3230M is positioned at rank #30 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Great cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

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 i5-3230M

#18

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

172%

#19

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

169%

#20

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

155%

#21

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

155%

#22

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

153%

#24

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

148%

#25

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

142%

#26

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

142%

#27

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

138%

#30

Core i5-3230M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $13

100%

#31

Atom D525

MSRP: $63|Avg: N/A

100%

#32

Atom x7835RE

MSRP: $127|Avg: N/A

99%

#33

Core 2 Duo P8400

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

97%

#38

Core 2 Duo T8100

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

90%

#39

Atom 330

MSRP: $43|Avg: $30

89%

#43

Core 2 Duo SU7300

MSRP: $289|Avg: N/A

87%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Celeron G4920

#377

Core i3-9100HL

MSRP: $225|Avg: $100

155%

#378

Core i9-12900TE

MSRP: $494|Avg: $664

155%

#379

Core i9-9940X

MSRP: $1387|Avg: $850

149%

#380

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

MSRP: $1899|Avg: $1836

147%

#381

Ryzen Embedded V1756B

MSRP: $250|Avg: $250

146%

#382

Ryzen Embedded R2544

MSRP: $280|Avg: $280

136%

#383

Ryzen Threadripper 9980X

MSRP: $4999|Avg: $4999

128%

#384

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

MSRP: $3990|Avg: $2850

126%

#385

Celeron G4900

MSRP: $42|Avg: $85

125%

#386

Ryzen Embedded V3C18I

MSRP: $500|Avg: $500

125%

#387

Ryzen Embedded V1807B

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

121%

#388

Ryzen Embedded R2312

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

119%

#389

Ryzen Threadripper 7980X

MSRP: $4999|Avg: $5200

118%

#390

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX

MSRP: $1799|Avg: $1247

115%

#391

Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

MSRP: $1299|Avg: $1300

107%

#392

Celeron G4920

MSRP: $52|Avg: $115

100%

#393

Core i3-9300T

MSRP: $309|Avg: $309

92%

#394

Ryzen 3 2200GE

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

89%

#395

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

MSRP: $4491|Avg: $4491

63%

#396

Ryzen Embedded R2314

MSRP: $300|Avg: $762

35%

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 G4920 (2018) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4-2400, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i5-3230M	Celeron G4920
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($13)	⚠️ Higher cost ($115)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i5-3230M (2013) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i5-3230M	Celeron G4920
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+788%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($13)	⚠️ Higher cost ($115)

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 i5-3230M Benchmark Check

Celeron G4920 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-3230M and Celeron G4920

Core i5-3230M

The Core i5-3230M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,565 points. Launch price was $225.

Celeron G4920

The Celeron G4920 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 2,555 points. Launch price was $52.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-3230M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Celeron G4920's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-3230M versus 3.2 GHz on the Celeron G4920 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-3230M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Celeron G4920 uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3230M scores 2,565 against the Celeron G4920's 2,555 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-3230M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 565 vs 672, a 17.3% lead for the Celeron G4920 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,128 vs 1,229 (8.6% advantage for the Celeron G4920). L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3230M vs 6 MB (total) on the Celeron G4920.

Feature	Core i5-3230M	Celeron G4920
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3.2 GHz+23%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	6 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
PassMark	2,565	2,555
Geekbench 6 Single	565	672+19%
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,128	1,229+9%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3230M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Celeron G4920 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Core i5-3230M versus DDR4-2400 on the Celeron G4920 — the Celeron G4920 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron G4920 supports up to 64 GB 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: HM76,HM77 (Core i5-3230M) and H310,B360,B365,H370,Z370,Z390 (Celeron G4920).

Feature	Core i5-3230M	Celeron G4920
Socket	BGA1023	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	DDR4-2400+33%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	64 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	✅
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3230M) vs VT-x (Celeron G4920). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 4000 (Core i5-3230M) and UHD Graphics 610 (Celeron G4920) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3230M targets Gaming, Celeron G4920 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-3230M rivals Ryzen 5 3500U; Celeron G4920 rivals Pentium G5420.

Feature	Core i5-3230M	Celeron G4920
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4000	UHD Graphics 610
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x
Target Use	Gaming	Budget

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-3230M launched at $225 MSRP, while the Celeron G4920 debuted at $52. At current prices ($13 vs $115), the Core i5-3230M is $102 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3230M delivers 197.3 pts/$ vs 22.2 pts/$ for the Celeron G4920 — making the Core i5-3230M the 159.5% better value option.