Notebookcheck Logo

Intel Celeron N4120 vs Intel Pentium Silver N5000 vs Intel Celeron N4020

Intel Celeron N4120

► remove from comparison 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 Pentium Silver N5000

► remove from comparison Intel Pentium N5000

The Intel Pentium Silver N5000 is a quad-core SoC primarily for inexpensive notebooks and was announced late 2017. It runs at 1.1-2.7 GHz (Single Core Burst, Multi Core Burst max. 2.6 GHz) and is based on the Gemini Lake platform. Similar to the Apollo Lake predecessor, 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 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 N5000 in our database is in the same league as the AMD 3050e and the Pentium 4415U, as far as multi-thread benchmark scores are concerned. This is a really poor result, as of Q3 2023.

The Yoga 330-11IGM is among the fastest laptops featuring the N5000 that we know of. It can be more than 30% faster in CPU-bound workloads than the slowest system built around the same chip in our database, as of August 2023.

GPU Performance

The UHD Graphics 605 (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 18 EUs and a clock of up to 750 MHz, the performance should be roughly on par with the older HD Graphics 5300 and HD Graphics 505 (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

Similar to the predecessor, Intel specifies the TDP with 6 Watts (SDP 4.8 Watts – Scenario Design Power). The chip can therefore be cooled passively in theory, but SKUs with fans are possible as well.

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.

ModelIntel Celeron N4120Intel Pentium Silver N5000Intel Celeron N4020
SeriesIntel Gemini LakeIntel Gemini LakeIntel Gemini Lake
CodenameGemini Lake RefreshGemini LakeGemini Lake refresh
Series: Gemini Lake Gemini Lake refresh
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 N4120 « 1.1 - 2.6 GHz4 / 4 cores
Intel Celeron J40252 - 2.9 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Celeron N40201.1 - 2.8 GHz2 / 2 cores
Intel Celeron J41051.5 - 2.5 GHz4 / 4 cores
Intel Pentium Silver N5000 « 1.1 - 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 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
Clock1100 - 2600 MHz1100 - 2700 MHz1100 - 2800 MHz
L2 Cache4 MB4 MB4 MB
Cores / Threads4 / 44 / 42 / 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, 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, SGX
iGPUIntel UHD Graphics 600 (200 - 700 MHz)Intel UHD Graphics 605 (200 - 750 MHz)Intel UHD Graphics 600 (200 - 650 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.comark.intel.com
L1 Cache224 KB
$161 U.S.
TDP Turbo PL215 Watt

Benchmarks

Performance Rating - CB R15 + R20 + 7-Zip + X265 + Blender + 3DM11 CPU - Celeron N4120
17.4 pt (24%)
Performance Rating - CB R15 + R20 + 7-Zip + X265 + Blender + 3DM11 CPU - Pentium N5000
17.7 pt (25%)
Performance Rating - CB R15 + R20 + 7-Zip + X265 + Blender + 3DM11 CPU - Celeron N4020
16.1 pt (22%)
Cinebench R23 - Cinebench R23 Multi Core
min: 965     avg: 1149     median: 1230 (1%)     max: 1253 Points
1232 Points (1%)
616 Points (1%)
Cinebench R23 - Cinebench R23 Single Core
min: 409     avg: 416.5     median: 416.5 (18%)     max: 424 Points
438 Points (19%)
308 Points (13%)
Cinebench R20 - Cinebench R20 CPU (Single Core)
min: 159     avg: 163.3     median: 165 (18%)     max: 166 Points
min: 167     avg: 170     median: 170 (19%)     max: 173 Points
min: 149.8     avg: 162.4     median: 162.4 (18%)     max: 175 Points
Cinebench R20 - Cinebench R20 CPU (Multi Core)
min: 376     avg: 460.7     median: 490 (1%)     max: 516 Points
min: 424     avg: 469.3     median: 484 (1%)     max: 500 Points
min: 242     avg: 279     median: 279 (1%)     max: 316 Points
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64 Bit
min: 223     avg: 227     median: 224 (1%)     max: 234 Points
min: 110.1     avg: 127.1     median: 127.1 (1%)     max: 144.1 Points
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64 Bit
min: 73     avg: 73.6     median: 73.2 (22%)     max: 74.5 Points
min: 68.6     avg: 73.8     median: 73.8 (22%)     max: 78.9 Points
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
2.7 Points (3%)
2.8 Points (4%)
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64 Bit
0.9 Points (22%)
0.9 Points (23%)
0.9 Points (23%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
2159 Points (13%)
2184 Points (13%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
6432 Points (5%)
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
661 s (8%)
645 s (8%)
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
17.6 s (4%)
16.8 s (3%)
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
1245 Points (2%)
7-Zip 18.03 - 7-Zip 18.03 Multli Thread 4 runs
min: 5832     avg: 6817     median: 7184 (4%)     max: 7436 MIPS
7320 MIPS (4%)
7-Zip 18.03 - 7-Zip 18.03 Single Thread 4 runs
min: 2145     avg: 2279     median: 2279 (27%)     max: 2412 MIPS
2431 MIPS (29%)
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 2
15.4 fps (5%)
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
76.3 fps (18%)
HWBOT x265 Benchmark v2.2 - HWBOT x265 4k Preset
min: 1.02     avg: 1.2     median: 1.3 (2%)     max: 1.38 fps
1.3 fps (2%)
min: 0.73     avg: 0.8     median: 0.8 (1%)     max: 0.92 fps
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
0.2 GB/s (0%)
0.2 GB/s (0%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
0.3 GB/s (4%)
0.3 GB/s (5%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
1.8 GB/s (5%)
1.9 GB/s (5%)
Blender - Blender 2.79 BMW27 CPU *
min: 2558     avg: 2571     median: 2570.5 (18%)     max: 2583 Seconds
2707 Seconds (19%)
4064 Seconds (29%)
R Benchmark 2.5 - R Benchmark 2.5 *
min: 1.642     avg: 1.6     median: 1.6 (36%)     max: 1.649 sec
1.5 sec (33%)
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
3403 Points (7%)
min: 3247     avg: 3320     median: 3320 (7%)     max: 3393 Points
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
25.6 s (6%)
24.2 s (5%)
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
58.8 s (3%)
56.3 s (2%)
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
1319 s (6%)
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
5882 Points (5%)
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
min: 2626     avg: 2669     median: 2668.5 (7%)     max: 2711 Points
min: 1560     avg: 1650     median: 1650 (4%)     max: 1740 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
min: 24195     avg: 25128     median: 24695 (20%)     max: 26493 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Extreme Physics
min: 24199     avg: 24660     median: 24279 (20%)     max: 25501 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited Physics
min: 26948     avg: 32002     median: 30593 (26%)     max: 38156 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
min: 2251     avg: 2348     median: 2373 (6%)     max: 2421 Points
min: 2141     avg: 2355     median: 2307 (6%)     max: 2873 Points
1286 Points (3%)
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
min: 3496     avg: 3723     median: 3688 (7%)     max: 3984 Points
min: 3193     avg: 3563     median: 3448 (6%)     max: 4263 Points
min: 1852     avg: 1853     median: 1853 (3%)     max: 1854 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Time Spy CPU
min: 909     avg: 939     median: 938.5 (4%)     max: 968 Points
476 Points (2%)
Geekbench 5.5 - Geekbench 5.1 - 5.4 64 Bit Single-Core
min: 438     avg: 442     median: 439 (19%)     max: 449 Points
421 Points (18%)
min: 319     avg: 418.7     median: 462 (19%)     max: 475 Points
Geekbench 5.5 - Geekbench 5.1 - 5.4 64 Bit Multi-Core
min: 1505     avg: 1525     median: 1509 (3%)     max: 1561 Points
1582 Points (3%)
min: 663     avg: 786     median: 836 (1%)     max: 858 Points
Geekbench 5.0 - Geekbench 5.0 64 Bit Single-Core
min: 435     avg: 435.5     median: 435.5 (2%)     max: 436 Points
Geekbench 5.0 - Geekbench 5.0 64 Bit Multi-Core
min: 1492     avg: 1503     median: 1503 (5%)     max: 1514 Points
Geekbench 4.4 - Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 64 Bit Single-Core
min: 1864     avg: 1885     median: 1876 (19%)     max: 1915 Points
min: 1989     avg: 2004     median: 2004 (20%)     max: 2019 Points
Geekbench 4.4 - Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 64 Bit Multi-Core
min: 5477     avg: 5606     median: 5668 (6%)     max: 5674 Points
min: 3404     avg: 3433     median: 3433 (4%)     max: 3462 Points
Geekbench 4.0 - Geekbench 4.0 64 Bit Single-Core
min: 2009     avg: 2046     median: 2045 (28%)     max: 2084 Points
Geekbench 4.0 - Geekbench 4.0 64 Bit Multi-Core
min: 5211     avg: 5460     median: 5488 (13%)     max: 5654 Points
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 32 Bit Multi-Core
min: 5045     avg: 5523     median: 5547.5 (10%)     max: 5868 Points
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 32 Bit Single-Core
min: 1707     avg: 1781     median: 1777.5 (35%)     max: 1876 Points
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 64 Bit Multi-Core
5789 Points (9%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 64 Bit Single-Core
1850 Points (28%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Stream
3759 Points (30%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Memory
2847 Points (26%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Floating Point
4823 Points (9%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Integer
6247 Points (13%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Total Score
4819 Points (13%)
Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Kraken 1.1 Total Score *
min: 2125     avg: 2308     median: 2345.5 (3%)     max: 2415 ms
min: 2251     avg: 2714     median: 2797 (3%)     max: 2871 ms
min: 2300     avg: 2488     median: 2488 (3%)     max: 2676 ms
Sunspider - Sunspider 1.0 Total Score *
520 ms (6%)
194.6 ms (2%)
Octane V2 - Octane V2 Total Score
min: 16865     avg: 17701     median: 17701 (16%)     max: 18537 Points
min: 13075     avg: 13480     median: 13121 (12%)     max: 14601 Points
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: 85     avg: 90.9     median: 86.2 (18%)     max: 106 Points
min: 88.2     avg: 89.1     median: 89.1 (19%)     max: 90 Points
min: 76.2     avg: 80.2     median: 80.2 (17%)     max: 84.2 Points
PCMark for Android - PCM f. Android Work 3.0 Battery Life
383 min (100%)
PCMark for Android - PCM f. Android Storage 2.0 score
28061 Points (49%)
PCMark for Android - PCM f. Android Work Score 3.0
8969 Points (41%)
CrossMark - CrossMark Overall
310 Points (12%)
Power Consumption - Prime95 Power Consumption - external Monitor *
14.2 Watt (2%)
12.5 Watt (2%)
Power Consumption - Cinebench R15 Multi Power Consumption - external Monitor *
8.3 Watt (2%)
10.1 Watt (2%)
Power Consumption - Idle Power Consumption 150cd 1min *
3.6 Watt (4%)
6.9 Watt (8%)
Power Consumption - Cinebench R15 Multi Power Efficiency - external Monitor
28.4 Points per Watt (21%)
14.3 Points per Watt (11%)

Average Benchmarks Intel Celeron N4120 → 100% n=32

Average Benchmarks Intel Pentium Silver N5000 → 102% n=32

Average Benchmarks Intel Celeron N4020 → 79% n=32

- 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. 20:17:49

#0 checking url part for id 11533 +0s ... 0s

#1 checking url part for id 9420 +0s ... 0s

#2 checking url part for id 11535 +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 +0.052s ... 0.053s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.053s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 11533 +0.017s ... 0.07s

#8 got single benchmarks 11533 +0.018s ... 0.088s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 9420 +0.012s ... 0.099s

#10 got single benchmarks 9420 +0.035s ... 0.134s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 11535 +0.013s ... 0.147s

#12 got single benchmarks 11535 +0.049s ... 0.196s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.196s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.442s ... 0.637s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.637s

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)