Intel Celeron N2940
Intel processor specifications and benchmark scores
Integrated GPUAt a Glance
IntelIntel Celeron N2940 Specifications
Celeron N2940 Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The Intel Celeron N2940 features 4 physical cores and 4 threads, which directly impacts multi-threaded performance in CPU benchmarks. More cores allow the processor to handle parallel workloads efficiently, improving performance in video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking scenarios. Thread count determines how many simultaneous tasks the CPU can process, with higher thread counts benefiting productivity applications and content creation workflows.
Celeron N2940 Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in Celeron N2940 benchmark performance, measured in GHz. The base clock represents the guaranteed operating frequency, while the boost clock indicates maximum single-core performance under optimal conditions. Higher clock speeds translate to faster single-threaded performance, which is essential for gaming and applications that don't fully utilize multiple cores. The Celeron N2940 by Intel can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
Intel's Celeron N2940 Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the Celeron N2940 processor die. L1 cache provides the fastest access for frequently used data, while L2 and L3 caches offer progressively larger storage with slightly higher latency. Larger cache sizes significantly improve CPU benchmark scores by reducing memory access times. The Celeron N2940's cache configuration is optimized for both gaming performance and productivity workloads, minimizing data fetch delays during intensive computations.
Silvermont Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The Intel Celeron N2940 is built on Intel's 22 nm manufacturing process, which determines power efficiency and thermal characteristics. Smaller process nodes allow for more transistors in the same space, enabling higher performance per watt. The architecture defines how the processor handles instructions and manages data flow, directly impacting benchmark results across different workload types. Modern CPU architectures like the one in Celeron N2940 incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
Silvermont Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The Celeron N2940 by Intel supports various instruction set extensions that enable optimized performance for specific workloads. SIMD instructions like SSE and AVX accelerate multimedia, scientific computing, and AI workloads by processing multiple data points simultaneously. Features like AES-NI provide hardware-accelerated encryption, while AVX-512 (if supported) enables advanced vector processing for data centers and high-performance computing. These instruction sets are critical for software compatibility and performance in modern applications.
Celeron N2940 Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The Intel Celeron N2940 has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 7W, indicating the cooling solution required for sustained operation. TDP affects both system power consumption and the type of cooler needed. Lower TDP processors are ideal for compact builds and laptops, while higher TDP chips typically offer better sustained performance in demanding CPU benchmarks. Understanding power requirements helps ensure your system can deliver consistent performance without thermal throttling.
Intel BGA 1170 Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The Celeron N2940 uses the Intel BGA 1170 socket, which determines motherboard compatibility. Choosing the right platform is essential for building a system around this processor. The socket type also influences available features like PCIe lanes, memory support, and upgrade paths. When comparing CPU benchmarks, ensure you're looking at processors compatible with your existing or planned motherboard to make informed purchasing decisions.
Intel BGA 1170 Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the Celeron N2940 define which RAM types and speeds are compatible. Faster memory can significantly improve CPU benchmark performance, especially in memory-intensive applications and gaming. The memory controller integrated into the Celeron N2940 determines maximum supported speeds and channels. Dual-channel or quad-channel memory configurations can double or quadruple memory bandwidth, providing noticeable performance gains in content creation and scientific workloads.
Intel's Celeron N2940 Integrated Graphics
Built-in GPU specifications
The Intel Celeron N2940 includes integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a dedicated GPU in basic computing scenarios. Integrated graphics are ideal for office productivity, video playback, and light gaming. While not designed for demanding GPU benchmarks, the iGPU in the Celeron N2940 provides hardware video encoding and decoding capabilities. This makes the processor suitable for compact builds, HTPCs, and systems where power efficiency is prioritized over gaming performance.
Celeron N2940 Product Information
Release and pricing details
The Intel Celeron N2940 is manufactured by Intel and represents their commitment to delivering competitive CPU performance. Understanding the release date and pricing helps contextualize benchmark comparisons with other processors from the same generation. Launch pricing provides a baseline for evaluating value, though street prices often differ. Whether you're building a new system or upgrading, the Celeron N2940 by Intel offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within Intel's product lineup.
Celeron N2940 Benchmark Scores
cinebench_cinebench_r15_multicoreSource
Cinebench R15 multi-core renders a complex 3D scene using all CPU threads simultaneously. This test reveals how Intel Celeron N2940 performs in parallel rendering workloads like video production and 3D animation. The R15 version remains useful for comparing against older hardware benchmarks. Higher scores directly correlate with faster render times in Cinema 4D and similar 3D applications.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
Nearby Performerscinebench_cinebench_r20_multicoreSource
Cinebench R20 multi-core uses a scene requiring 4x more computational power than R15. This test better reflects modern CPU capabilities for professional rendering on Intel Celeron N2940. The more demanding workload provides better differentiation between current-generation processors.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r20_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R20 single-core tests one thread against a more demanding scene than R15. This reveals the true single-thread rendering capability of Intel Celeron N2940. The increased complexity provides more accurate performance differentiation between modern CPUs.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicoreSource
Cinebench R23 multi-core is the current standard for CPU rendering benchmarks with a 10-minute minimum runtime. This extended test reveals sustained performance of Intel Celeron N2940 after thermal limits kick in. The longer duration exposes cooling limitations that shorter benchmarks miss.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R23 single-core measures sustained single-thread performance over 10 minutes. This reveals how Intel Celeron N2940 maintains boost clocks under continuous load. The extended runtime shows whether thermal throttling affects single-core performance.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
About Intel Celeron N2940
The Intel Celeron N2940 is a 4-core, 4-thread mobile processor built on Intel's Silvermont architecture (Bay Trail-M) using a 22 nm process. It runs at a base clock of 1830 MHz and a boost clock of 2.25 GHz, with a TDP of just 7 W. Benchmark data shows an average score of 305 across all tests, placing it at the 0th percentile among all CPUs, meaning it sits at the very bottom of the performance distribution. This analysis examines its position against its nearest rivals, its thermal characteristics, and its suitability for specific workloads.
How It Compares
The N2940 sits in a tight cluster of low-end processors, with its nearest rivals all within a 1% performance band. The data provides specific delta percentages for each comparison, and every rival is statistically indistinguishable from the N2940 in aggregate performance.
Against the AMD Athlon II X2 220, which has an average score of 303, the N2940 scores 305, a 0.5% advantage. This difference is negligible, meaning the two chips will perform almost identically in everyday tasks. The Athlon II X2 220 is a dual-core desktop part, but the N2940's 4-core configuration does not translate into a meaningful overall lead.
The AMD Athlon II X2 240 posts an average score of 308, which is 0.8% higher than the N2940's 305. The N2940 trails by a fraction that is unlikely to be perceptible in real-world use. Again, the delta is so small that benchmark run-to-run variance could easily reverse the order.
Intel's own Celeron G530T averages 308, putting it 1% ahead of the N2940. This is the largest deficit among the four rivals, yet still within the margin of error for most benchmark suites. The G530T is also a low-power desktop chip, so the N2940's mobile orientation does not give it a clear edge.
The Intel Pentium E6300 averages 301, giving the N2940 a 1.2% lead. This is the largest delta in the group, but the absolute difference is just 4 points on a 300-point scale. The Pentium E6300 is a much older dual-core design, yet the N2940 cannot decisively outperform it. Overall, the N2940 is statistically tied with all four rivals, indicating that it is a typical entry-level processor from its era.
Power and Thermals
With a TDP of just 7 W, the N2940 is an ultra-low-power processor. This rating places it in the same class as passive-cooled designs commonly found in thin laptops, mini PCs, and embedded systems. The 22 nm process node contributes to this efficiency, although the Silvermont architecture itself is not particularly power-hungry. The thermal output is so low that a simple heatsink or even a fanless chassis can manage it. The data does not specify a cooling tier, but the 7 W figure strongly suggests that no active cooling is required under typical loads.
The boost clock of 2.25 GHz is modest, which helps keep power consumption in check. The base clock of 1830 MHz is also low, further reducing thermal stress. For system integrators, the 7 W TDP opens the door to compact, silent designs that would be impossible with higher-power parts. The trade-off is clear: the N2940 sacrifices performance for energy efficiency, and any workload that pushes the CPU will cause the temperature to rise, but the absolute heat output remains minimal.
Benchmark Performance
In Cinebench R23, the N2940 scores 888 points in the multi-core test and 125 points in the single-core test. The multi-core score is significantly higher, which is expected for a 4-core processor, but the absolute values are very low. For context, the average benchmark score across all tests is 305, which aligns with the nearest rivals' averages. The R20 multi-core score is 372, with a single-core score of 52. The R15 multi-core score is 89. These numbers indicate that the processor is capable of basic tasks but will struggle with any demanding workload.
The percentile of 0 means it outperforms none of the CPUs in the database, placing it at the very bottom of the performance hierarchy. Compared to the Athlon II X2 220, the N2940 is 0.5% faster; against the Athlon II X2 240 and Celeron G530T, it is 0.8% and 1% slower, respectively; and it is 1.2% faster than the Pentium E6300. These deltas are all within 1.2%, confirming that the N2940 is not an outlier but rather a typical entry-level chip. The Cinebench scores, while low, are consistent with this positioning—the N2940 delivers exactly the level of performance one would expect from a 7 W mobile part.
Who Should Consider It
Given the low single-thread score of 125 in Cinebench R23, the N2940 is not suitable for applications that rely on strong per-core performance, such as modern games or video encoding. Its multi-thread score of 888, while higher, is still far below what would be needed for serious content creation. Instead, this processor is best suited for light office productivity, web browsing, and media playback. The integrated HD Graphics can drive basic displays, but there is no performance data to suggest any gaming capability.
The 7 W TDP makes it an attractive option for fanless designs, so it might appear in low-power NAS boxes, thin clients, or basic laptops. For users whose primary tasks are email, word processing, and streaming video, the N2940 is adequate, but it will feel sluggish in any CPU-intensive workload. The 4-core design does help with multi-tab browsing or light multitasking, but the weak individual cores limit responsiveness. Anyone considering this processor should have modest expectations and prioritize energy efficiency over raw speed.
FAQ
Q: What is the TDP of the Intel Celeron N2940?
A: The TDP is 7 watts.
Q: How many cores and threads does it have?
A: It has 4 cores and 4 threads.
Q: What socket does it use?
A: It uses the Intel BGA 1170 socket.
Q: What type of memory does it support?
A: It supports DDR3 memory.
Q: What is the release date?
A: The release date is May 21, 2014.
Q: What is the average benchmark score?
A: The average benchmark score is 305.
Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior
The Cinebench R23 scores reveal a stark contrast: 125 points in single-thread and 888 points in multi-thread. The multi-thread score is substantially higher, which is expected given the 4-core design. However, the single-thread score of 125 is extremely low, indicating that each individual core is weak. This means that applications that are not optimized for multi-threading will perform poorly. The boost clock of 2.25 GHz is only modestly higher than the base clock of 1830 MHz, limiting single-thread burst performance.
For workloads that can use all 4 threads, such as file compression or multi-tab browsing, the N2940 will perform better, but still within a low absolute range. The R20 results follow the same pattern: single-core 52, multi-core 372. The R15 multi-core score of 89 further confirms that the processor's multi-threaded capability, while present, is not enough to escape the bottom tier. The data suggests that the N2940 is a true multi-threaded part in the sense that it has multiple cores, but those cores are individually so weak that the multi-thread advantage is limited in real-world terms.
Platform and Compatibility
The N2940 uses the Intel BGA 1170 socket, which means it is soldered directly to the motherboard. This eliminates any possibility of CPU upgrades. It supports DDR3 memory, but the memory bus width and bandwidth are not specified in the data. ECC memory is not supported. The integrated HD Graphics provides basic display output, and the processor is part of the Bay Trail-M generation, which was released in 2014. Given the BGA design and the age of the platform, the upgrade path is essentially non-existent. Users are locked into the original system configuration.
The market segment is Mobile, so it is intended for laptops and compact devices. The production status is Active, meaning it is still available, but the lack of a socket upgrade path and the limited memory support (DDR3 only) restrict its longevity. The 22 nm process and 7 W TDP make it a fit for embedded applications, but the overall platform is dated. For anyone evaluating this processor, the key takeaway is that it is a fixed, low-power solution with no future expansion options.
The AMD Equivalent of Celeron N2940
Looking for a similar processor from AMD? The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
Popular Intel Celeron N2940 Comparisons
See how the Celeron N2940 stacks up against similar processors from the same generation and competing brands.
Compare Celeron N2940 with Other CPUs
Select another CPU to compare specifications and benchmarks side-by-side.
Browse CPUs