Intel Celeron G3920
Intel Celeron G3920: budget CPU for basic tasks in 2025
Updated: April 2025
1. Main characteristics: modest power for undemanding tasks
The Intel Celeron G3920, released in 2016, remains relevant for budget builds due to its affordability and low power consumption. Let's look at its key parameters:
- Architecture: Skylake (6th generation Intel).
Despite its age, the architecture ensures stable performance in office scenarios and basic multimedia workloads. However, the lack of support for modern instructions (such as AVX2) limits it in tasks like encoding or rendering.
- Process Technology: 14 nm.
By 2025, this is considered an outdated standard (modern CPUs use 5–7 nm), which affects energy efficiency. However, for a PC with minimal upgrades, this isn't critical.
- Frequency: 2.9 GHz (without Turbo Boost).
A fixed frequency and two cores without Hyper-Threading make it weak for multitasking. For example, running a browser with 10+ tabs and an office suite simultaneously may cause slowdowns.
- Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 510.
The integrated GPU supports 4K via HDMI 1.4, but only at 30 Hz. For gaming, only older titles like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive on low settings (30–40 FPS) are suitable.
- Performance:
Geekbench 6 shows 600 (Single-Core) and 1088 (Multi-Core). This is the level of mid-range smartphones from 2023-2024 (for example, Snapdragon 7 Gen 2). In comparison, the Ryzen 3 5300U scores around ~1500/4500 points.
2. Compatible Motherboards: Finding on the Secondary Market
The Celeron G3920 uses the LGA 1151 socket (version v1), which limits the choice of motherboards:
- Chipsets: H110, B150, H170, Z170.
- H110 is the most budget-friendly option with support for DDR4-2133 and minimal ports (the price of new motherboards in 2025 is $50–60, for example, ASUS H110M-K).
- B150 is the optimal choice due to PCIe 3.0 and USB 3.1 (Gigabyte GA-B150M-D3H — $70–80).
- Features:
- No NVMe support (only through PCIe adapters).
- Maximum of 32 GB RAM (officially), but practically 8–16 GB is sufficient.
- No overclocking—multiplier locked.
Tip: Look for motherboards with HDMI and DisplayPort if you plan to use integrated graphics for 4K video.
3. Supported Memory: DDR4-2133
The processor only works with DDR4-2133 in dual-channel mode.
- Recommended capacity: 8–16 GB (2×4 GB or 2×8 GB).
- Example: Kingston ValueRAM 8 GB (2×4 GB) DDR4-2133 — $30–35.
Important: Modern DDR4-3200 modules will operate at a reduced frequency of 2133 MHz. DDR5 and LPDDR4X are not supported.
4. Power Supply: even 300 W is enough
With a TDP of 51 W, a system based on the Celeron G3920 consumes no more than 100–120 W under load (considering SSD, memory, and fans).
- Recommendations:
- Power supply of 300–400 W (for example, EVGA 400 W1 — $40).
- If planning an upgrade to a discrete GPU like the GTX 1650—opt for 450–500 W (Corsair CX450 — $55).
Lifehack: Don't skimp on the PSU. Cheap models (like Apevia) may "support" the system, but their noise and efficiency below 80% will increase electricity bills.
5. Pros and Cons: Who is the Celeron G3920 relevant for in 2025?
Pros:
- Price: a new processor costs $40–50 (as of April 2025).
- Energy efficiency: suitable for PCs running 24/7 (like a home NAS).
- Integrated graphics: no need for a separate graphics card.
Cons:
- Weak multi-threaded performance: rendering video or compiling code will take 3–4 times longer than on Ryzen 3.
- Outdated platform: upgrading to a Core i5/i7 6–7th generation is possible, but these processors are also discontinued.
6. Usage Scenarios: From Office Work to Retro Gaming
- Office tasks: Word, Excel, browser with 5–7 tabs.
- Multimedia: Watching 4K video through VLC (with hardware acceleration).
- Games:
- Minecraft (30–50 FPS at minimum settings).
- GTA V (720p, low settings, 25–30 FPS).
- Emulators up to PS1/PSP (for example, RetroArch).
- Servers: Plex media server, file storage.
Limitations: Streaming Twitch/YouTube in 1080p will lag even when using OBS with NVENC (due to weak CPU).
7. Comparison with Competitors: Who's Better in 2025?
- AMD Athlon 3000G (2 cores/4 threads, Vega 3):
- Pros: SMT support, more powerful graphics.
- Cons: More expensive ($60–70), harder to find new units.
- Intel Pentium Gold G6400 (2 cores/4 threads, UHD 610):
- Pros: higher frequency (4.0 GHz), DDR4-2666 support.
- Cons: price $70–80, requires LGA 1200 socket.
Conclusion: The Celeron G3920 only wins in price. For gaming and multitasking, the Athlon 3000G is better.
8. Practical Assembly Tips
- SSD is mandatory: Even a cheap Kingston A400 (240 GB — $25) will speed up the system.
- Cooling: The boxed cooler is sufficient (load temperatures up to 65°C).
- Case: Micro-ATX with ventilation (for example, Deepcool MATREXX 30 — $35).
Example Build:
- CPU: Celeron G3920 — $45.
- Motherboard: ASUS H110M-K — $55.
- RAM: 8 GB DDR4-2133 — $30.
- SSD: 256 GB — $28.
- PSU: EVGA 400W — $40.
- Case: $35.
Total: $233 — a budget PC for studying and Netflix.
9. Final Verdict: Who is the Celeron G3920 Suitable For?
You should choose this processor if:
- You need an extremely cheap PC for office work, studying, or browsing.
- You are building a media center for TV with 4K content.
- An energy-efficient system is required for 24/7 operation (like a home server).
Alternative: If your budget allows for an additional $50–70, consider a used Core i5-6500 or a new AMD Ryzen 3 3200G—they will provide more power for future needs.
The Celeron G3920 in 2025 is the choice for those who value minimalism and are not willing to pay for features that will never be used.