Core i5-5250U vs Celeron N4120

Core i5-5250U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2015

Celeron N4120

4 Cores4 Thrd4 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2019

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-5250U

2 / 4

2,450

0.0%

2,463

+0.5%

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 i5-5250U is positioned at rank 685 and the Celeron N4120 is on rank 1239, so the Core i5-5250U 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 i5-5250U

#673

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

958%

#674

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

944%

#675

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

866%

#676

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

863%

#677

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

855%

#679

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

825%

#680

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

791%

#681

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

790%

#682

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

769%

#685

Core i5-5250U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#695

Processor N95

MSRP: $160|Avg: $80

98%

#699

Athlon Silver 3050e

MSRP: $100|Avg: $60

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Celeron N4120

#1227

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

15524%

#1228

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

15296%

#1229

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

14042%

#1230

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

13979%

#1231

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

13851%

#1233

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

13376%

#1234

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

12825%

#1235

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

12804%

#1236

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

12460%

#1239

Celeron N4120

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#1240

Core Solo T1300

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

97%

#1241

Core Solo T1200

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

90%

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 N4120 (2019) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i5-5250U	Celeron N4120
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm)	✨ Modern (Gemini Lake Refresh (2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i5-5250U (2015) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i5-5250U	Celeron N4120
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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 i5-5250U Benchmark Check

Celeron N4120 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-5250U and Celeron N4120

Core i5-5250U

The Core i5-5250U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,450 points. Launch price was $315.

Celeron N4120

The Celeron N4120 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Gemini Lake Refresh (2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1090. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,463 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-5250U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Celeron N4120 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Celeron N4120 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-5250U versus 2.6 GHz on the Celeron N4120 — a 3.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-5250U (base: 1.6 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i5-5250U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Celeron N4120 uses Gemini Lake Refresh (2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-5250U scores 2,450 against the Celeron N4120's 2,463 — a 0.5% lead for the Celeron N4120. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-5250U vs 4 MB on the Celeron N4120.

Feature	Core i5-5250U	Celeron N4120
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz+4%	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz+45%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	4 MB+1500%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Gemini Lake Refresh (2019)
PassMark	2,450	2,463

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-5250U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Celeron N4120 uses FCBGA1090 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-5250U	Celeron N4120
Socket	FCBGA1168	FCBGA1090
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	1866	—
Max RAM Capacity	16	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i5-5250U) / not specified (Celeron N4120). The Core i5-5250U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 6000), while the Celeron N4120 requires a dedicated GPU.