Intel Celeron N2920

The Intel Celeron N2920 is a 4-core, 4-thread mobile processor built on the 22 nm Silvermont architecture, part of the Bay Trail-M family. Launched in late 2013, it operates with a base clock of 1860 MHz and a boost clock of 2000 MHz, placing it in the entry-level segment of the benchmark database. Its average benchmark score is 0, and it sits at the 50th percentile among all CPUs, indicating a middling position in the overall distribution—neither a standout performer nor a complete outlier. The data shows a processor designed for basic mobile tasks, with its performance profile best understood through its architectural choices and thermal constraints rather than raw competitive comparisons.

How It Compares

The nearestRivals list for this processor is empty, which means the benchmark database provides no direct comparative scores or deltaPct values against other CPUs. This absence of data is notable; it suggests the N2920 occupies a niche where direct performance metrics are either sparse or not yet cataloged. In the absence of rival scores, the analysis must rely on the processor’s own specifications and its percentile ranking. The 50th percentile placement indicates that half of all CPUs in the database score higher and half score lower, but without specific rival entries, the exact competitive landscape remains undefined. Benchmark results simply do not offer a point of reference for a head-to-head comparison against a named competitor.

Given the empty nearestRivals array, no deltaPct values can be cited. This means the N2920’s position is isolated; it does not have a documented performance gap to any particular CPU. The practical implication is that users cannot rely on this database to judge it against specific alternatives. However, the 50th percentile is a useful anchor—it suggests the N2920 is not a bottom-tier performer, but it is equally far from the top. For a Bay Trail-M chip, this aligns with its expected role as a low-power, efficiency-oriented part, but the data itself does not confirm that interpretation. The lack of rivals is a gap in the record, and the analysis must proceed without the usual comparative scaffolding.

Who Should Consider It

The N2920’s workload suitability is grounded in its core and thread count, clock speeds, and integrated graphics. With 4 cores and 4 threads, it can handle basic multitasking, but it lacks the simultaneous multithreading of higher-end parts. The 1860 MHz base clock and 2000 MHz boost clock are modest, suggesting that single-threaded tasks will not see exceptional responsiveness. For office work—word processing, spreadsheet management, and web browsing—the data indicates adequate performance, as these workloads are typically light on sustained multi-core demand. The integrated HD Graphics unit provides basic visual output, which is sufficient for everyday productivity but not for demanding visual applications.

Gaming is not a strong suit based on the specifications. The low clock speeds and integrated graphics point to limited capability in 3D rendering or frame-heavy titles. The 50th percentile score reinforces this: it is not a chip designed for enthusiast workloads. Creation tasks, such as video editing or 3D modeling, would strain the N2920, as these depend heavily on multi-core performance and memory bandwidth, neither of which is highlighted as a strength in the fact pack. The data suggests the N2920 is best suited for light, intermittent use—email, document editing, and media playback—rather than sustained professional workloads. Its mobile market segment further indicates a focus on portability over performance, making it a candidate for basic laptops or low-cost devices.

Platform and Compatibility

The N2920 uses the Intel BGA 1170 socket, which is a ball-grid array design, meaning it is soldered directly to the motherboard rather than being user-replaceable. This has significant implications for upgradeability: the processor cannot be swapped out for a newer model without replacing the entire board. The architecture is Silvermont, a 22 nm design from Intel’s foundry, and it belongs to the Bay Trail-M generation. Memory support is limited to DDR3, with no mention of DDR4 or LPDDR variants, and ECC memory is not supported, which aligns with its consumer-oriented positioning.

PCIe support is not listed in the fact pack, so no definitive statement can be made about expansion slots or bandwidth. The process node is 22 nm, which was a mature technology at the time of release, and the production status is listed as "Active," suggesting the chip is still in manufacturing. The release date is November 30, 2013, and the market segment is Mobile, confirming its intended use in laptops and compact devices. The upgrade path is essentially nonexistent due to the BGA socket; users are locked into the original configuration. The lack of a listed memory bus or bandwidth figure means the data does not clarify how fast the DDR3 interface operates, but the absence of a dedicated L3 cache—only L1 and L2 are specified—indicates a simpler memory hierarchy that may impact performance in cache-sensitive workloads.

FAQ

Q: Does the Intel Celeron N2920 support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported, as indicated in the fact pack.

Q: What is the socket type for the N2920?

A: It uses the Intel BGA 1170 socket, which is a soldered connection rather than a removable socket.

Q: How many cores and threads does the N2920 have?

A: It has 4 cores and 4 threads, with no hyper-threading or equivalent technology.

Q: What is the boost clock speed of this processor?

A: The boost clock is 2000 MHz, while the base clock is 1860 MHz.

Q: When was the N2920 released?

A: The release date is November 30, 2013, and its production status is currently Active.

Q: What integrated graphics does the N2920 include?

A: It features HD Graphics, which is Intel’s basic integrated solution for mobile chips.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data for the N2920 is minimal: its average benchmark score is 0, and its percentile rank is 50. A score of 0 is unusual and likely indicates a lack of submitted benchmark runs in the database, rather than a literal performance of zero. This makes direct performance analysis difficult, as there are no numerical scores to compare against rivals. The percentile rank of 50, however, provides a relative position: the N2920 sits exactly in the middle of all CPUs tracked, meaning 50% of processors score higher and 50% score lower. This is a neutral placement, suggesting it is neither a weakling nor a champion in the broader field.

Without nearestRivals data, there are no deltaPct values to calculate exact performance gaps. The analysis must infer from specifications: 4 cores at up to 2000 MHz is a modest configuration, and the 22 nm Silvermont architecture is an older, low-power design. In multi-threaded workloads, the 4 cores provide some parallelism, but the lack of an L3 cache and the low clock speed likely limit throughput. The 50th percentile implies that, in aggregate benchmarks, it performs on par with the median CPU, which is a reasonable result for a chip of this class. However, the score of 0 undermines confidence in the percentile figure, as it may reflect incomplete data entry rather than true performance. Benchmark results indicate a processor that is adequate for its intended market but not distinguished in any measurable way.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The N2920’s single-thread performance is governed by its boost clock of 2000 MHz and the Silvermont architecture. Silvermont is an out-of-order design, which helps with instruction-level parallelism, but the clock speed is low by modern standards. Single-threaded tasks—such as launching applications, navigating menus, or running legacy software—will see modest responsiveness, but the data does not provide a specific score to quantify this. The 50th percentile suggests it is not a bottleneck for basic use, but it will not excel in CPU-intensive single-thread scenarios like complex spreadsheet calculations or modern web apps with heavy JavaScript.

Multi-threaded behavior benefits from the 4 physical cores, which can handle 4 simultaneous threads. This is a symmetric configuration with no hyper-threading, so multi-threaded scaling is straightforward but limited to 4 threads. Cache is organized as 56 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, which is generous for L2 but lacks a shared L3, potentially increasing latency when cores communicate. The 1860 MHz base clock and 2000 MHz boost clock mean that sustained multi-core loads will likely run at the base clock, reducing peak throughput. The split between single and multi-thread performance is therefore moderate: it can handle parallel tasks like file compression or light video playback, but it will struggle with heavily threaded applications like modern game engines or rendering software. The data implies a balanced but unremarkable profile, where neither single-thread nor multi-thread performance stands out.

Power and Thermals

The N2920 has a TDP of 7 watts, which classifies it as an ultra-low-power processor. This is a critical characteristic, as it dictates the thermal and cooling requirements. A 7-watt TDP means the chip generates minimal heat, allowing for passive cooling in many designs or a very small, low-speed fan. This makes it suitable for fanless tablets, compact laptops, or embedded systems where noise and heat are primary concerns. The 22 nm process node contributes to this efficiency, as smaller nodes generally reduce power leakage and improve thermal behavior.

The thermal implications are straightforward: a 7-watt TDP requires only a capable air cooler—or even a simple heatsink—to maintain safe operating temperatures. There is no need for liquid cooling or oversized heatsinks, and the mobile market segment confirms that the chip is designed to be integrated into thin, lightweight devices. The low TDP also means that sustained workloads will not cause significant thermal throttling, as the power draw is well within standard cooling capabilities. However, the trade-off is performance: the low power envelope constrains clock speeds to 1860-2000 MHz, which is why the benchmark scores are modest. The data suggests that the N2920 prioritizes battery life and thermal silence over computational power, making it a fit for devices where efficiency is paramount, but not for high-performance computing tasks.