Intel Celeron N5100

The Intel Celeron N5100 is a 4-core, 4-thread mobile processor built on Intel’s Tremont architecture (Jasper Lake family) and manufactured on a 10 nm process. It operates with a base clock of 1100.00 MHz and a boost clock of 2.80 GHz, targeting low-power devices with a TDP of just 6 watts. Benchmark data places this chip at the 25th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 957, indicating entry-level performance suited for basic computing tasks rather than demanding workloads.

Benchmark Performance

The Celeron N5100 delivers modest multi-core results across Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 280 points, while in R20 multi-core it reaches 1167 points, and in R23 multi-core it achieves 2780 points. These numbers show a clear progression with newer benchmark versions, but the relative standing remains low—the 25th percentile rank reflects its position near the bottom of the performance spectrum. Single-core scores are equally modest: 164 points in Cinebench R20 and 392 points in Cinebench R23, confirming that the chip does not excel in lightly threaded tasks either.

Compared to its nearest rivals, the N5100 sits in a tight cluster. The AMD Opteron 4386 has an identical average score of 957, with a deltaPct of 0%, meaning the two processors are statistically indistinguishable in overall benchmark terms. The AMD Athlon X4 870K scores 956, just 0.1% lower, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 scores 958, 0.1% higher, and the Intel Xeon W3570 scores 955, 0.2% higher. These deltas are negligible—within the margin of benchmark variance—so the N5100 neither leads nor trails its immediate competitors by any meaningful margin. The data indicates a performance plateau among these four processors, where no single chip offers a decisive advantage in aggregate benchmarks.

Power and Thermals

The N5100 carries a TDP of 6 watts, which classifies it as an ultra-low-power processor. This figure is remarkably low for a 4-core design, implying that thermal management is trivial—a passive or small fanless cooler suffices for most implementations. The 10 nm process node contributes to this efficiency, allowing the chip to sustain its 2.80 GHz boost clock without generating significant heat. For system integrators, this TDP class means the N5100 can be deployed in compact, fanless enclosures such as thin clients, mini PCs, or lightweight laptops, where power draw and acoustic noise are primary concerns. The lack of any overclocking capability (multiplier is locked) further reinforces that this is a fixed-performance part, not intended for enthusiast tuning or high sustained loads.

Platform and Compatibility

This processor uses the Intel BGA 1338 socket, which is a soldered, non-upgradeable interface. The platform is built around the Jasper Lake architecture, supporting DDR4 and LPDDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a maximum memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s. PCIe connectivity is limited to Gen 3 with 8 lanes available from the CPU only, which is sufficient for a single NVMe SSD or a basic discrete GPU but not for multi-GPU setups or high-bandwidth expansion. Integrated graphics are provided by UHD Graphics 24EU, which handles basic display output and video playback but is not designed for gaming or GPU-accelerated compute. The production status is end-of-life, meaning no future firmware or feature updates are planned, and the upgrade path is effectively nonexistent—since the CPU is soldered, users must replace the entire board or system to move to a faster processor. The part number is SRKGZ, and ECC memory is not supported, so this platform is unsuitable for error-correcting workloads like server applications.

FAQ

Q: What is the average benchmark score of the Intel Celeron N5100?

A: The average benchmark score is 957, which places it at the 25th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: How does the N5100 compare to the AMD Athlon X4 870K?

A: The AMD Athlon X4 870K has an average score of 956, which is 0.1% lower than the N5100’s 957, indicating essentially equal performance.

Q: What memory types does the N5100 support?

A: It supports DDR4 and LPDDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s.

Q: Is the N5100 overclockable?

A: No, the multiplier is locked, and the processor does not support overclocking.

Q: What is the TDP of the N5100?

A: The TDP is 6 watts, which is extremely low and allows for passive cooling in many designs.

Q: Can the N5100 be upgraded to a faster CPU?

A: No, because it uses the BGA 1338 socket, which is soldered, and the production status is end-of-life, so no upgrade path exists.

How It Compares

Against the AMD Opteron 4386, the N5100 is a statistical tie. Both processors achieve an average score of 957, with a deltaPct of 0%, meaning no measurable performance difference in aggregate benchmarks. However, the Opteron is a server-class part from an older generation, so the N5100’s comparable score highlights how far low-power mobile chips have come, despite the Celeron’s entry-level positioning.

The AMD Athlon X4 870K trails by a razor-thin margin, scoring 956 versus 957, a deltaPct of 0.1%. This difference is negligible in real-world use, and the two chips would feel identical for everyday tasks like web browsing or document editing. The Athlon X4, however, is a desktop part with a much higher power draw, so the N5100 achieves parity in performance with a fraction of the energy footprint.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 edges out the N5100 by a single point, scoring 958 versus 957, a deltaPct of -0.1% from the N5100’s perspective. This is within benchmark noise, so the two processors are effectively equivalent in speed. The embedded R1600 targets similar low-power applications, making the N5100 a direct competitor despite the architectural differences.

The Intel Xeon W3570 scores 955, which is 0.2% lower than the N5100’s 957. This is the largest delta among the nearest rivals, yet still imperceptible in practice. The Xeon W3570 is a legacy high-end desktop part, so the fact that a 6-watt Celeron matches it in average score underscores the efficiency gains of modern low-power designs over older high-TDP chips.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The N5100’s single-core and multi-core scores reveal a balanced but low overall capability. In Cinebench R20, the single-core score is 164, while the multi-core score is 1167, giving a multi-to-single ratio of roughly 7.1x. This ratio is higher than typical for a 4-core/4-thread chip, suggesting that the multi-core scaling is efficient given the modest single-thread throughput. In Cinebench R23, the single-core score is 392 and the multi-core score is 2780, a ratio of about 7.1x as well, confirming consistent scaling across benchmark versions.

For real workloads, this means the N5100 handles multi-threaded tasks like video encoding or file compression better than its single-core performance would imply, but the absolute scores are still low. Single-thread performance is weak, so applications that rely on one fast core—such as web browsers with heavy JavaScript or older games—will feel sluggish. Conversely, tasks that can utilize all four cores, like batch photo editing or light compilation, will see the chip’s full potential, though that potential remains limited compared to mainstream processors. The data suggests a chip optimized for efficiency rather than peak speed, where multi-core throughput is prioritized over single-core responsiveness.

Who Should Consider It

The N5100 is appropriate for users whose workloads are light and primarily multi-threaded, such as basic office productivity, web browsing, and media consumption. The 4-core design with a 6-watt TDP makes it ideal for fanless mini PCs or portable laptops where battery life and silent operation matter more than raw speed. For gaming, the integrated UHD Graphics 24EU and weak single-core scores preclude any modern 3D titles; even esports games would struggle at playable frame rates. Content creation, such as video editing or 3D rendering, is not recommended—the Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 2780 is far below what such tasks require for smooth performance.

The chip suits educational devices, thin clients, or secondary machines for light web-based work. Its end-of-life status and lack of upgrade path mean buyers should view it as a fixed, disposable solution rather than a platform for future growth. Users who need occasional bursts of single-thread speed, like spreadsheet calculation or code editing, will find the N5100 adequate but not snappy, given the 164 single-core score in R20. In summary, this processor is a capable air cooler-class performer for entry-level, low-power devices, but it is not a choice for anyone expecting responsive or high-throughput computing.