Intel Celeron J4105
Intel Celeron J4105: A Budget Processor for Basic Tasks. Detailed Review
April 2025
The Intel Celeron J4105 is a processor that has been in the budget laptop and compact PC market for several years. Despite appearing outdated in 2025 compared to modern chips, it's still found in ultra-budget devices priced from $200. Let's examine who this CPU is suitable for, how it handles everyday tasks, and whether it’s worth considering in an era of energy-efficient ARM processors and hybrid architectures.
1. Architecture and Process Technology: Modest Specs for Undemanding Tasks
Gemini Lake is the codename for the microarchitecture on which the Celeron J4105 is built. This generation of Intel processors was released between 2017 and 2018 and is aimed at low-power devices like mini-PCs, nettops, and budget laptops.
- Cores and Threads: 4 cores, 4 threads. No multithreading support (Hyper-Threading is not supported).
- Clock Speeds: Base clock is 1.5 GHz, maximum in turbo mode is 2.5 GHz.
- Process Technology: 14 nm. For comparison, modern Intel processors in 2025 use a 7nm process.
- iGPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600 with 12 execution units (EUs) and a maximum frequency of 700 MHz. It supports 4K H.265/VP9 video decoding but is not designed for gaming.
Architecture Features:
- Goldmont Plus: Cores are optimized for energy efficiency rather than high performance.
- Limited Cache: Only 4 MB of L2 cache, impacting data processing speed.
- Memory: Supports DDR4/LPDDR4 up to 2400 MHz (single-channel).
2. Power Consumption and TDP: Ideal for Passive Cooling
TDP of 10 W is a key feature of the Celeron J4105, enabling its use in devices without active cooling (such as thin laptops or mini-PCs).
Power-saving Technologies:
- Intel SpeedStep: Dynamic frequency scaling to reduce power consumption.
- C-states: Sleeping mode for cores during inactivity.
- Voltage: Adaptive voltage management based on workload.
Practical Example: The ASUS VivoBook L410MA with a Celeron J4105 operates fanless and delivers up to 10 hours of battery life during web browsing.
3. Performance: What Can It Handle?
Office Tasks
- Google Chrome: Comfortable operation with 5–7 tabs. Opening 10+ tabs leads to stutters.
- Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint — works without issues.
- Zoom/Teams: HD video calls, but without background effects.
Multimedia
- 4K Video: Streaming on YouTube via hardware decoding.
- Photo Editors: Basic operations in GIMP or Photoshop Elements (cropping, color correction) are fine, but filters like “Smart Sharpen” will take time.
Gaming
- Minecraft (2023): 20–25 FPS on low settings at 720p resolution.
- CS:GO: 15–20 FPS on minimum settings.
- Browser Games: Roblox, Among Us — run without issues.
Turbo Mode: In theory, the frequency can boost to 2.5 GHz, but due to the 10 W TDP and passive cooling, the processor quickly overheats and throttles its frequencies.
4. Use Cases: Who Is the Celeron J4105 For?
- Students: For working with texts, PDFs, and online courses.
- Seniors: Simple tasks like email, social media, and video streaming.
- Office Workers: Where multitasking is not required.
- Home Media Centers: Viewing Netflix on TV via HDMI.
Not Suitable For:
- Gamers.
- Designers, programmers, video engineers.
- Users working with “heavy” applications (Adobe Premiere, AutoCAD).
5. Battery Life: Up to 10 Hours in Ideal Conditions
Laptops with the Celeron J4105 typically have batteries of 40–45 Wh. Actual usage times:
- Web surfing: 8–10 hours.
- Video: 6–7 hours.
- Maximum load (stress tests): 2–3 hours.
Tip: Choose models with HD displays (not Full HD) and SSDs instead of HDDs to save energy.
6. Comparison with Competitors: Who Else Is in the Same Price Segment?
AMD Athlon Silver 3050e
- Pros: Supports SMT (2 cores / 4 threads), stronger Vega 3 graphics.
- Cons: Higher TDP (6 W vs 10 W for J4105?), but real-world battery life is comparable.
- Price: Laptops from $250.
Apple M1 (in used MacBook Airs)
- Performance is significantly higher, but even used devices start at $400.
Intel Celeron N5100 (2021)
- More modern Jasper Lake architecture (10 nm), with UHD graphics 24 EUs.
- Laptops from $300.
Conclusion: The Celeron J4105 is relevant only in devices priced below $250.
7. Pros and Cons
Strengths:
- Low laptop prices ($200–300).
- Quiet operation (fanless).
- Sufficient performance for basic tasks.
Weaknesses:
- Struggles with multitasking.
- Weak GPU.
- Outdated 14 nm process technology.
8. Recommendations for Choosing a Laptop
- Type of Device: Ultrabook or compact laptop (11–14 inches). Example: Lenovo IdeaPad 3.
- RAM: At least 8 GB (4 GB in 2025 is a struggle).
- Storage: Only SSD (128–256 GB).
- Display: HD (1366×768) to save energy.
- Ports: USB-C, HDMI, SD-card reader — useful for peripheral connections.
Caution: Avoid models with HDDs and 4 GB RAM — they will turn even simple tasks into a survival quest.
9. Final Conclusion: Who Is the Celeron J4105 Suitable For in 2025?
This processor is a choice for those who:
- Are looking for the cheapest new laptop.
- Do not plan to run “heavy” applications.
- Value long battery life.
Key Benefits:
- Saving $100–150 compared to models with Celeron N5100 or Athlon Silver.
- The possibility to buy a device with SSD and licensed Windows for $250.
Alternative: If the budget allows $300–350, it's better to opt for a laptop with AMD Ryzen 3 7320U or Intel Core i3-N305 — their performance will suffice for 3–4 years ahead.
Conclusion: The Intel Celeron J4105 is an example of a “workhorse” for undemanding users. It won't impress with speed, but it will fulfill its main task: providing access to digital services at minimal cost. In 2025, it should only be considered as a temporary solution or a backup device for simple tasks.