Notebookcheck Logo

Intel Celeron N4100 vs Intel Celeron N4020 vs Intel Celeron N4000

Intel Celeron N4100

► remove from comparison Intel Celeron N4100

The Intel Celeron N4100 is a quad-core SoC primarily for inexpensive notebooks and was announced late 2017. It runs at 1.1-2.4 GHz (Single Core Burst, Multi Core Burst max 2.3 GHz) and is based on the Gemini Lake platform. Similar to the Apollo Lake predecessor, the chip is manufactured on a 14 nm process with FinFETs but offers slightly improved processor cores, double the amount of L2 cache, a smaller package, a new generation of monitor outputs (Gen 10) and a partly integrated WiFi chip. Besides four CPU cores, the chip also includes a DirectX 12 capable GPU as well as a DDR4/LPDDR4 memory controller (dual-channel, up to 2400 MHz). The SoC is not replaceable as it is permanently soldered to the mainboard.

Architecture

The processor architecture was slightly reworked and is now called Goldmont Plus. It features an increased Level 2 cache (to 4 MB). That means the per-clock-performance should be a bit better, but not near the Core CPUs like Kaby Lake Y.

Performance

The average N4100 in our database directly competes with AMD's 3020e and 3050e, as far as multi-thread benchmark scores are concerned. The Intel Core m3-8100Y and the Celeron 6305 are close nearby as well. Routinely described as "entry-level" in 2019 and 2020, the Celeron N4100 is a slow processor that is good for the most basic tasks only such as Web browsing with no more than two or three tabs open at a time.

The LapBook Pro is among the fastest systems built around the N4100 that we know of. It can be around 50% faster in CPU-bound workloads than the slowest system featuring the same chip in our database, as of August 2023.

Graphics

The UHD Graphics 600 (Gemini Lake) is based on Intel's Gen9 architecture, which supports DirectX 12 and is also used for the Kaby Lake / Skylake / Apollo Lake graphics adapters (like HD Graphics 520). Equipped with 12 EUs and a clock of up to 700 MHz, the performance should be roughly on par with the older HD Graphics 500 (Apollo Lake).

The chip also includes an advanced video engine with hardware support for the playback of VP9 and H.265 material (8-bit color-depth).

Power Consumption

Celeron N4100 has a default TDP of 6 W (also known as PL1), making it a great option for passively cooled setups.

The fairly old 14 nm process this Celeron is built with makes for so-so, as of mid-2022, energy efficiency.

Intel Celeron N4020

► remove from comparison Intel Celeron N4020

The Intel Celeron N4020 is a slow dual-core processor (SoC) of the Gemini Lake refresh product family; as such, it is designed for use in laptops and mini-PCs of the most affordable flavor. The Celeron was launched in Q4 2019. Its CPU cores run at 1.1 GHz to 2.8 GHz, the latter being a moderate 200 MHz upgrade over the preceding N4000 chip. Other key specs include a DDR4/LPDDR4 memory controller (up to 2,400 MHz and up to 8 GB, with independent reports claiming as much as 32 GB will work just fine) and an integrated UHD 600 graphics adapter.

Architecture & Features

Just like Apollo Lake family products, the ever-popular N3350 included, the N4020 is manufactured on a really old, as of late 2023, 14 nm process. What makes the newer Celerons different are the slightly improved processor cores with double the L2 cache and also, somewhat counterintuitively, a reduction in physical size.

The Goldmont Plus microarchitecture is not much different from what was used in Gemini Lake processors like the N4000. A relatively large 4 MB L2 cache features prominently on the rather short list of N4020's strong sides, allowing for a marginal increase in performance-per-MHz figures compared to processors of previous generations. Still, Gemini Lake refresh processors are a clear step down from Core i3/i5/i7/i9 series processors, both in performance and in features.

The N4020 has six PCI-Express 2.0 lanes at its disposal. While very few N4020-based SBCs, nettops and laptops feature an NVMe M.2 slot, you can use an NVMe SSD as a boot drive with this processor (read/write rates will be limited to 2 GB/s, though). Furthermore, partial Wi-Fi 5 support is built into the CPU. The Celeron also supports up to eight USB 3.0 ports and two SATA III storage devices.

Please note this is not a user-replaceable CPU. They solder it straight to the motherboard for good (BGA1090 socket interface).

Performance

While slightly faster than the outgoing Celeron N4000, the average N4020 in our extensive database only just manages to match the N6211, as far as multi-thread performance is concerned. These three chips deliver multi-thread CB R15, CB R20 and CB R23 scores that are so low, they lag behind a single-thread score of any half-decent CPU such as an i5-1135G7. In other words, these Celeron N chips are good enough for basic tasks only such as word processing and Web browsing with two or three tabs open at a time.

The Celeron N4120, a quad-core chip with a similar name, has little trouble leaving the N4020 behind in most workloads - which is not to say it is a fast CPU.

Jacking the long-term power limit value up to something like 9 W will help improve system responsiveness noticeably.

Graphics

The UHD Graphics 600 is based on Intel's Generation 9 architecture, much like the  HD Graphics 520 or the UHD Graphics 615 or other widespread Intel iGPUs found in Core i3/i5/i7/i9 processors of generations six to ten.

Just like the HD Graphics 500, the UHD Graphics 600 is DX12 compatible. The iGPU's 12 EUs can run at up to 650 MHz. The Iris Plus G7 iGPU that certain 10th Gen Ice Lake processors have packs 64 EUs, for reference. As a low-end solution, UHD Graphics 600 will let you play some seriously old titles, but that's about as far as its talents go.

Perhaps more importantly, this graphics solution can drive up to 3 monitors with resolutions as high as 4096x2160@60. Furthermore, it will have no trouble HW-decoding AVC, HEVC and VP9-encoded videos. The newer AV1 codec will be decoded via software, with the limited CPU horsepower imposing a limit on video resolutions that can be played back without stuttering. 1080p60 videos are out of reach while 720p25 videos run fine, to give you an example.

Power consumption

The low 6 W TDP (also known as the long-term Power Limit) makes it easy for laptop makers to ditch the fan. Performance sustainability will be poor unless the long-term Power Limit is set to a value higher than the default 6 W and a fan is available to aid in heat dissipation.

The Celeron N4020 is built with one of the old 14 nm Intel processes for poor, as of mid 2023, energy efficiency.

Intel Celeron N4000

► remove from comparison Intel Celeron N4000

The Intel Celeron N4000 is a dual-core SoC designed for affordable laptops and mini-PCs and was announced late 2017. It runs at 1.1 GHz to 2.6 GHz (Single Core Burst, Multi Core Burst maxes out at 2.5 GHz) and is based on the Gemini Lake platform. Similar to the Apollo Lake predecessor, the chip is manufactured on a 14 nm process with FinFETs but offers slightly improved processor cores, double the amount of L2 cache, all in a smaller package. Partial Wi-Fi 5 support is baked into the chip. Besides two CPU cores, the chip also includes a DirectX 12 capable GPU as well as a DDR4/LPDDR4 memory controller (dual-channel, up to 2400 MHz). The SoC is not replaceable as it is directly soldered to the mainboard.

Architecture

The processor architecture was slightly reworked and is now called Goldmont Plus. It features a larger L2 cache (4 MB). That means the per-clock-performance should be a bit better, but not anywhere near the Core CPUs like Kaby Lake Y.

Performance

The average N4000 in our database only just matches the Core i5-4300Y, a fairly old dual-core processor of nearly the same energy efficiency, in multi-thread performance. In other words, the Celeron is a very slow processor that's good enough for the most basic of tasks only. Expect long load times no matter the app.

Graphics

The UHD Graphics 600 (Gemini Lake) is based on Intel's Generation 9 architecture, which supports DirectX 12 and is also used for the Kaby Lake / Skylake / Apollo Lake graphics adapters (like HD Graphics 520). Equipped with 12 EUs and a clock of up to 650 MHz, the performance should be roughly on par with the older HD Graphics 500 (Apollo Lake).

The chip also includes an advanced video engine with hardware support for the playback of VP9 and H.265 (8-bit color-depth).

Power consumption

Like most other N-class Intel chips, the Celeron N4000 has a 6 W TDP (also known as the long-term power limit). This is not much at all, allowing laptop makers to build passively cooled laptops, tablets, mini-PCs around the chip. The SoC can briefly consume up to 15 W, though, depending on how a system is configured.

Last but not the least, this Celeron is manufactured on one of the old 14 nm Intel processes leading to poor, as of early 2023, energy efficiency.

ModelIntel Celeron N4100Intel Celeron N4020Intel Celeron N4000
SeriesIntel Gemini LakeIntel Gemini LakeIntel Gemini Lake
CodenameGemini LakeGemini Lake refreshGemini Lake
Series: Gemini Lake Gemini Lake
Intel Celeron J41051.5 - 2.5 GHz4 / 4 cores
Intel Pentium Silver N50001.1 - 2.7 GHz4 / 4 cores
Intel Celeron J40052 - 2.7 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Celeron J41151.8 - 2.5 GHz4 / 4 cores
Intel Celeron N4100 « 1.1 - 2.4 GHz4 / 4 cores
Intel Celeron N40001.1 - 2.6 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Pentium Silver J50402 - 3.2 GHz4 / 4 cores
Intel Pentium Silver N50301.1 - 3.1 GHz4 / 4 cores
Intel Celeron J41252 - 2.7 GHz4 / 4 cores
Intel Celeron N41201.1 - 2.6 GHz4 / 4 cores
Intel Celeron J40252 - 2.9 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Celeron N4020 « 1.1 - 2.8 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Celeron J41051.5 - 2.5 GHz4 / 4 cores
Intel Pentium Silver N50001.1 - 2.7 GHz4 / 4 cores
Intel Celeron J40052 - 2.7 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Celeron J41151.8 - 2.5 GHz4 / 4 cores
Intel Celeron N41001.1 - 2.4 GHz4 / 4 cores
Intel Celeron N4000 « 1.1 - 2.6 GHz2 / 2 cores
Clock1100 - 2400 MHz1100 - 2800 MHz1100 - 2600 MHz
L2 Cache4 MB4 MB4 MB
Cores / Threads4 / 42 / 22 / 2
TDP6 Watt6 Watt6 Watt
Technology14 nm14 nm14 nm
max. Temp.105 °C105 °C
SocketBGA1090BGA1090BGA1090
FeaturesDDR4-2400/LPDDR4-2400 RAM, PCIe 2, MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, VMX, SMEP, SMAP, MPX, EIST, TM1, TM2, Turbo, AES-NI, RDRAND, RDSEED, SHA, SGXDDR4-2400/LPDDR4-2400 RAM, PCIe 2, MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, VMX, SMEP, SMAP, MPX, EIST, TM1, TM2, Turbo, AES-NI, RDRAND, RDSEED, SHA, SGXDDR4-2400/LPDDR4-2400 RAM, PCIe 2, MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, SMEP, SMAP, MPX, EIST, TM1, TM2, Turbo, AES-NI, RDRAND, RDSEED, SHA, SGX
iGPUIntel UHD Graphics 600 (200 - 700 MHz)Intel UHD Graphics 600 (200 - 650 MHz)Intel UHD Graphics 600 (200 - 650 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
$107 U.S.$107 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.comark.intel.com
TDP Turbo PL215 Watt

Benchmarks

Performance Rating - CB R15 + R20 + 7-Zip + X265 + Blender + 3DM11 CPU - Celeron N4100
16.3 pt (23%)
Performance Rating - CB R15 + R20 + 7-Zip + X265 + Blender + 3DM11 CPU - Celeron N4020
16.1 pt (22%)
Performance Rating - CB R15 + R20 + 7-Zip + X265 + Blender + 3DM11 CPU - Celeron N4000
15.2 pt (21%)
Cinebench R23 - Cinebench R23 Multi Core
min: 955     avg: 961     median: 960.5 (1%)     max: 966 Points
616 Points (1%)
Cinebench R23 - Cinebench R23 Single Core
min: 382     avg: 386.5     median: 386.5 (16%)     max: 391 Points
308 Points (13%)
min: 149.8     avg: 162.4     median: 162.4 (18%)     max: 175 Points
160 Points (18%)
min: 242     avg: 279     median: 279 (1%)     max: 316 Points
273 Points (1%)
min: 110.1     avg: 127.1     median: 127.1 (1%)     max: 144.1 Points
min: 121     avg: 132.7     median: 138 (1%)     max: 139 Points
min: 68.6     avg: 73.8     median: 73.8 (22%)     max: 78.9 Points
min: 65     avg: 70.3     median: 70.9 (21%)     max: 75 Points
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
min: 2.13     avg: 2.4     median: 2.2 (3%)     max: 2.9 Points
1.7 Points (2%)
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64 Bit
min: 0.8     avg: 0.8     median: 0.8 (21%)     max: 0.83 Points
0.9 Points (23%)
0.9 Points (22%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
min: 1664     avg: 1951     median: 2013 (12%)     max: 2049 Points
2184 Points (13%)
2152 Points (13%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
min: 4915     avg: 5999     median: 5904 (4%)     max: 7123 Points
4030 Points (3%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
10929 Points (8%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
3337 Points (4%)
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
min: 591     avg: 724     median: 790 (9%)     max: 790 s
1007 s (12%)
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
min: 18.97     avg: 20.3     median: 19.4 (4%)     max: 22.5 s
31.9 s (6%)
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
min: 1093     avg: 1148     median: 1139 (2%)     max: 1212 Points
760 Points (1%)
4114 MIPS (2%)
7-Zip 18.03 - 7-Zip 18.03 Single Thread 4 runs
min: 2125     avg: 2209     median: 2158 (26%)     max: 2459 MIPS
2298 MIPS (27%)
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 2
min: 11.8     avg: 13.3     median: 11.8 (4%)     max: 16.3 fps
9.5 fps (3%)
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
min: 57.7     avg: 64.5     median: 58.2 (13%)     max: 77.7 fps
47.3 fps (11%)
HWBOT x265 Benchmark v2.2 - HWBOT x265 4k Preset
min: 0.974     avg: 1.2     median: 1.2 (2%)     max: 1.5 fps
min: 0.73     avg: 0.8     median: 0.8 (1%)     max: 0.92 fps
0.8 fps (1%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
min: 0.156     avg: 0.2     median: 0.2 (0%)     max: 0.162 GB/s
0.1 GB/s (0%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
min: 0.222     avg: 0.2     median: 0.2 (4%)     max: 0.236 GB/s
0.1 GB/s (2%)
0.9 GB/s (2%)
4064 Seconds (29%)
4736 Seconds (33%)
R Benchmark 2.5 - R Benchmark 2.5 *
min: 1.75     avg: 1.8     median: 1.8 (38%)     max: 1.786 sec
1.7 sec (36%)
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
min: 2748     avg: 2985     median: 2805 (6%)     max: 3580 Points
2259 Points (5%)
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
min: 27.42     avg: 28.3     median: 28.5 (6%)     max: 28.94 s
25.3 s (5%)
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
min: 61.9     avg: 63.1     median: 62.6 (3%)     max: 64.8 s
57.5 s (2%)
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
min: 1381     avg: 1462     median: 1474 (7%)     max: 1532 s
1295 s (6%)
min: 1560     avg: 1650     median: 1650 (4%)     max: 1740 Points
min: 1638     avg: 1713     median: 1712.5 (5%)     max: 1787 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
min: 12964     avg: 20919     median: 19160 (16%)     max: 31380 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Extreme Physics
min: 12613     avg: 20195     median: 19086 (15%)     max: 29271 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited Physics
min: 19890     avg: 24471     median: 23934 (20%)     max: 32203 Points
1286 Points (3%)
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
min: 2146     avg: 2954     median: 2910 (5%)     max: 3799 Points
min: 1852     avg: 1853     median: 1853 (3%)     max: 1854 Points
1974 Points (4%)
3DMark - 3DMark Time Spy CPU
min: 611     avg: 711     median: 706 (3%)     max: 841 Points
476 Points (2%)
3DMark - 3DMark Sling Shot (ES 3.0) Unlimited Physics
1389 Points (16%)
Geekbench 5.5 - Geekbench 5.1 - 5.4 64 Bit Single-Core
min: 378     avg: 403.3     median: 405 (17%)     max: 414 Points
min: 319     avg: 418.7     median: 462 (19%)     max: 475 Points
min: 431     avg: 433.5     median: 433.5 (18%)     max: 436 Points
Geekbench 5.5 - Geekbench 5.1 - 5.4 64 Bit Multi-Core
min: 1082     avg: 1267     median: 1271 (2%)     max: 1419 Points
min: 663     avg: 786     median: 836 (1%)     max: 858 Points
min: 797     avg: 802     median: 801.5 (1%)     max: 806 Points
Geekbench 5.0 - Geekbench 5.0 64 Bit Single-Core
min: 377     avg: 400.5     median: 408 (2%)     max: 409 Points
434 Points (2%)
Geekbench 5.0 - Geekbench 5.0 64 Bit Multi-Core
min: 1078     avg: 1238     median: 1232 (4%)     max: 1409 Points
791 Points (2%)
Geekbench 4.4 - Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 64 Bit Single-Core
min: 1731     avg: 1779     median: 1795 (18%)     max: 1799 Points
min: 1989     avg: 2004     median: 2004 (20%)     max: 2019 Points
1862 Points (19%)
Geekbench 4.4 - Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 64 Bit Multi-Core
min: 4713     avg: 5188     median: 5259 (6%)     max: 5404 Points
min: 3404     avg: 3433     median: 3433 (4%)     max: 3462 Points
3219 Points (4%)
Geekbench 4.0 - Geekbench 4.0 64 Bit Single-Core
min: 1813     avg: 1825     median: 1825 (25%)     max: 1837 Points
Geekbench 4.0 - Geekbench 4.0 64 Bit Multi-Core
min: 5056     avg: 5123     median: 5122.5 (12%)     max: 5189 Points
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 32 Bit Multi-Core
min: 4998     avg: 5042     median: 5041.5 (9%)     max: 5085 Points
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 32 Bit Single-Core
min: 1623     avg: 1629     median: 1629 (32%)     max: 1635 Points
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 64 Bit Multi-Core
5490 Points (9%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 64 Bit Single-Core
1762 Points (26%)
Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Kraken 1.1 Total Score *
min: 2561     avg: 3127     median: 3214 (4%)     max: 3865 ms
min: 2300     avg: 2488     median: 2488 (3%)     max: 2676 ms
min: 2306     avg: 2382     median: 2381.5 (3%)     max: 2457 ms
Sunspider - Sunspider 1.0 Total Score *
233 ms (3%)
446.5 ms (5%)
Octane V2 - Octane V2 Total Score
min: 10309     avg: 11163     median: 11328 (10%)     max: 11852 Points
15679 Points (14%)
WebXPRT 4 - WebXPRT 4 Score
min: 49.4     avg: 55.3     median: 55.3 (16%)     max: 61.1 Points
WebXPRT 3 - WebXPRT 3 Score
min: 71.4     avg: 77     median: 75.2 (16%)     max: 84 Points
min: 76.2     avg: 80.2     median: 80.2 (17%)     max: 84.2 Points
min: 71.2     avg: 78.6     median: 78.6 (16%)     max: 86 Points
PCMark for Android - PCM f. Android Work Score 2.0
7616 Points (50%)
7604 Points (50%)
PCMark for Android - PCM f. Android Computer Vision
6152 Points (32%)
PCMark for Android - PCM f. Android Storage
22786 Points (49%)
PCMark for Android - PCM f. Android Work Score
10205 Points (51%)
CrossMark - CrossMark Overall
310 Points (12%)
Power Consumption - Prime95 Power Consumption - external Monitor *
min: 6.4     avg: 11.3     median: 11.3 (2%)     max: 16.1 Watt
12.5 Watt (2%)
Power Consumption - Cinebench R15 Multi Power Consumption - external Monitor *
6.7 Watt (1%)
Power Consumption - Idle Power Consumption 150cd 1min *
6.9 Watt (8%)
Power Consumption - Cinebench R15 Multi Power Efficiency - external Monitor
24 Points per Watt (18%)
14.3 Points per Watt (11%)

Average Benchmarks Intel Celeron N4100 → 100% n=33

Average Benchmarks Intel Celeron N4020 → 87% n=33

Average Benchmarks Intel Celeron N4000 → 84% n=33

- Range of benchmark values for this graphics card
- Average benchmark values for this graphics card
* Smaller numbers mean a higher performance
1 This benchmark is not used for the average calculation

v1.26
log 28. 13:38:07

#0 checking url part for id 9424 +0s ... 0s

#1 checking url part for id 11535 +0s ... 0s

#2 checking url part for id 9426 +0s ... 0s

#3 not redirecting to Ajax server +0s ... 0s

#4 did not recreate cache, as it is less than 5 days old! Created at Thu, 28 Mar 2024 05:35:32 +0100 +0.001s ... 0.001s

#5 composed specs +0.05s ... 0.051s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.051s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 9424 +0.016s ... 0.067s

#8 got single benchmarks 9424 +0.034s ... 0.101s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 11535 +0.011s ... 0.112s

#10 got single benchmarks 11535 +0.047s ... 0.16s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 9426 +0.011s ... 0.17s

#12 got single benchmarks 9426 +0.042s ... 0.213s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.213s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.394s ... 0.606s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.606s

Please share our article, every link counts!
> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > Benchmarks / Tech > Processor Comparison - Head 2 Head
Redaktion, 2017-09- 8 (Update: 2023-07- 1)