Intel Pentium Silver J5005 vs Intel Celeron N4000

Intel Pentium Silver J5005

The Intel Pentium Silver J5005 is a quad-core SoC that was introduced at the end of 2017 and is mainly used in inexpensive mini PCs. It clocks from 1.5 to 2.8 GHz (single-core burst) and belongs to the Gemini Lake platform. In addition to the four CPU cores, the chip also integrates a DirectX 12-capable graphics unit and a DDR4/LPDDR4 memory controller (dual channel, 2,400 MHz). The SoC cannot be replaced as it is soldered directly to the mainboard (BGA package).

Architecture

The processor architecture of the Gemini Lake SoCs has been slightly enhanced compared to its predecessor. Intel now calls them Goldmont Plus cores and doubles the level 2 cache from 2 to 4 MB. Nevertheless, the per-MHz performance should still remain well behind the current Kaby Lake processors.

Performance

The CPU performance of the J5005 with 4 CPU cores is only in the entry-level class and is only sufficient for undemanding tasks. Even when surfing the web, you notice a clear difference to faster processors.

Power consumption

Like its predecessor, the entire SoC is specified by Intel with a TDP of 10 watts.

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.