Intel Celeron N4120 vs Intel Celeron N4500

Intel Celeron N4120

The Intel Celeron N4120 is a quad-core SoC primarily for inexpensive notebooks and was announced late 2019. It runs at 1.1-2.6 GHz (Single Core Burst) and is based on the Gemini Lake platform. Compared to the predecessor, the Celeron N4100, the refresh offers a 200 MHz higher Boost clock. Similar to the Apollo Lake predecessors, the chip is manufactured in 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 directly soldered to the mainboard.

Architecture

The processor architecture ist still called Goldmont Plus. Compared to the older Goldmont cores in Apollo Lake, they feature 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 N4120 in our database is not much faster than AMD's Zen-based, affordable Athlon Silver 3050e, as far as multi-thread benchmark scores are concerned, with the Intel Celeron 6305 and the Core i5-7Y54 found close nearby as well. It's a very basic CPU that we're talking about here. While it does have four cores, these are some seriously slow cores, dashing hopes of anybody looking to get a Core i3-like performance for cheap.

GPU Performance

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

Just like most other N-class Intel processors, Celeron N4120 has a default TDP of 6 W (also known as PL1), making it a good option for passively cooled laptops, tablets, mini-PCs. It's manufactured on a very old (as of late 2022) 14 nm process, though, making for poor energy efficiency.

Intel Celeron N4500

The Intel Celeron N4500 is a dual-core SoC of the Jasper Lake series that is primarily intended for inexpensive notebooks and was announced in early 2021. The two Tremont CPU cores clock between 1.1 and 2.8 GHz (single core Burst) and offer no HyperThreading. The N4500 uses 1.5 MB L2 and 4 MB L3 cache. The chip is manufactured on the first-gen 10 nm Intel process.

Architecture

The processor architecture is called Tremont and a complete redesign compared to the old Golmont Plus cores in the predecessor. According to Intel, the single thread performance of a core could is up two 30% better on average (10 - 80% in all tests of SPECint and SPECfp).

Features

In addition to the dual-core CPU block, the SoC integrates a 16 EU Intel UHD Graphics GPU clocked from 350 - 750 MHz and a dual-channel DDR4 / quad-channel LPDDR4(x) memory controller (up to 16 GB, up to 2933 MHz). The chip now also partly integrates Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+), 8 PCIe 3.0 lanes, 14 USB 2.0/ 3.2 ports and two SATA 6.0 ports. The package got bigger and measures 35 x 24 mm (compared to 25 x 24 mm for the N5030 e.g.). The SoC is directly soldered to the mainboard (BGA) and can't be easily replaced.

Performance

The average N4500 in our database shapes up to be a fairly slow processor, its multi-thread benchmark scores only just matching those of the Core i3-4010U. (The latter saw the light of day in 2013 as a lower mid-range, dual-core CPU designed for use in ultraportable laptops.) In other words, expect the Celeron to be painfully slow in all but the most basic activities.

You mileage may vary depending on how high the CPU power limits are.

Power consumption

Like most N-class Intel chips, the Celeron has a default TDP (also known as the long-term power limit) of 6 W. This is not much at all and thus good enough for passively cooled tablets, laptops, mini-PCs.

The Celeron N4500 is built with Intel's 2nd generation 10 nm process (not 10 nm SuperFin or Intel 7) for low, as of mid 2023, energy efficiency.