Intel Celeron G4930T

Intel Celeron G4930T: Budget CPU for Basic Tasks in 2025
Relevant as of April 2025
1. Key Features: Coffee Lake in a Compact Format
The Intel Celeron G4930T processor, released in 2019, remains a popular budget solution due to its low power consumption and affordable price (about $50-60 in 2025).
Architecture and Manufacturing Process
- Codename: Coffee Lake (9th generation Intel).
- Manufacturing Process: 14 nm — an outdated technology but ensures low heat generation.
- Cores/Threads: 2 cores, 2 threads (no Hyper-Threading).
- Frequency: Fixed base frequency of 3.0 GHz (no turbo mode).
- Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 610 (suitable for basic tasks, 4K video decoding).
- TDP: 35 W — ideal for compact systems.
Performance
- Geekbench 6: 704 (Single-Core), 1263 (Multi-Core).
- Strengths: Fast processing of simple tasks (office applications, browser use).
- Weaknesses: Multi-threaded workloads (rendering, archiving) can cause delays.
Key Features
- Supports hardware decoding of H.265/VP9 for streaming video.
- Low power consumption — suitable for passive cooling systems.
2. Compatible Motherboards: LGA 1151 Socket and Chipsets
Socket: LGA 1151 (supports only motherboards with 300-series chipsets).
Recommended Chipsets:
- H310/B365: Budget boards (price: $50-70). Examples: ASRock H310CM-HDV, Gigabyte B365M DS3H.
- Features:
- No support for PCIe 4.0 (only PCIe 3.0).
- Limited number of USB 3.1 and SATA ports.
- Built-in HDMI/DVI for connecting monitors.
Selection Tips:
- Look for boards with M.2 NVMe (e.g., ASUS Prime H310M-K R2.0) for fast SSDs.
- Check for DDR4-2400 support — some models are limited to 2133 MHz.
3. Supported Memory: DDR4-2400 in Dual Channel
- Memory Type: DDR4-2400 (not compatible with DDR5).
- Maximum Capacity: 64 GB (8-16 GB recommended for everyday tasks).
- Modes: Dual channel — critical for integrated graphics (up to 15% performance increase in games).
Example Configuration:
- 2x8 GB DDR4-2400 (TeamGroup Vulcan Z) — $40.
- For office tasks, 1x8 GB is sufficient, but dual channel will improve system responsiveness.
4. Power Supplies: Minimum 300 W with Headroom
- Power Calculation:
- Processor: 35 W.
- Motherboard + Memory: ~30 W.
- SSD/HDD: 10 W.
- Total: 75 W without a discrete graphics card.
Recommendations:
- A 300-400 W power supply (e.g., be quiet! System Power 10 400W — $45).
- If planning to upgrade (e.g., adding a graphics card), consider models rated at 500 W.
5. Pros and Cons of the Celeron G4930T
Pros:
- Low price ($50-60).
- Energy efficiency (suitable for mini-PCs).
- Integrated graphics for basic tasks.
Cons:
- Only 2 threads — multitasking is limited.
- Outdated architecture (competitors offer 4 cores for the same price).
- No support for AVX-512, PCIe 4.0.
6. Use Cases: Who is this Processor For?
- Office Tasks: Document work, Zoom, browsing (up to 10 tabs).
- Multimedia: Viewing 4K video, streaming (Netflix, YouTube).
- Home Servers: NAS on Proxmox or OpenMediaVault.
- Education: PCs for schoolchildren/students (code editors, online courses).
Practical Example:
A user built a media center on Celeron G4930T + 8 GB RAM + 256 GB SSD. The system runs Kodi, streams 4K without lag, and consumes less than 50 W.
7. Comparison with Competitors: AMD Athlon and Pentium
- AMD Athlon 3000G ($55):
- 2 cores/4 threads, Vega 3 (graphics about 30% stronger).
- Geekbench 6 Multi-Core: ~1400.
- Better for light gaming (CS:GO at 720p).
- Intel Pentium Gold G6400 ($65):
- 2 cores/4 threads, UHD 610.
- Geekbench 6 Multi-Core: ~1600.
- Higher performance in multi-threaded tasks.
Conclusion: The Celeron G4930T falls short in multitasking but wins in price and power consumption.
8. Practical Assembly Tips
- SSD is a Must: Kingston A400 240 GB ($25) will eliminate system "slowdowns".
- Case: Mini-ITX (Fractal Design Core 500 — $60) for compactness.
- Cooling: The stock cooler is sufficiently effective.
- Networking: Add a Wi-Fi adapter (TP-Link Archer TX50E — $35).
Important: Do not use a discrete graphics card above GTX 1650 — the processor will become a "bottleneck".
9. Final Conclusion: Who Is the Celeron G4930T For?
This processor is ideal for those looking for a cheap and reliable system without frills:
- Office Workers: PCs for Word, Excel, and email.
- Parents/Seniors: Simple internet browsing and video watching.
- DIY Enthusiasts: Media centers, routers, home servers.
Why You Might Want to Avoid It: If you need to game or work in Photoshop, consider the Pentium Gold or AMD Ryzen 3.
Conclusion
The Intel Celeron G4930T in 2025 is a niche product. It may not be suitable for gaming or complex tasks, but it serves as a budget solution for everyday work. The key is to select the right components and not expect the impossible from the system.