Atom C3338 vs Celeron 2981U

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Atom C3338 vs Celeron 2981U FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Atom C3338 vs Celeron 2981U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Atom C3338

2017

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 9W instead of 512W, a 503W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,028 vs 1,036).
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron 2981U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Celeron 2981U

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics (Haswell), while Atom C3338 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $137 MSRP, while Atom C3338 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌5588.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 9W.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom C3338 better than Celeron 2981U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Atom C3338 is ahead with 37.5% higher max boost clock. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron 2981U pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Atom C3338 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron 2981U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Atom C3338 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Atom C3338 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $137 MSRP, and it still gives you 37.5% higher max boost clock. Celeron 2981U only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Atom C3338 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2014) and 100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Atom C3338 vs Celeron 2981U Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Atom C3338

The Atom C3338 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 22 February 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1310. Thermal design power (TDP): 8.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR4: 1866. Passmark benchmark score: 1,028 points. Launch price was $27.

Celeron 2981U

The Celeron 2981U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,036 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Atom C3338 and Celeron 2981U share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Atom C3338 versus 1.6 GHz on the Celeron 2981U — a 31.6% clock advantage for the Atom C3338 (base: 1.5 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Atom C3338 uses the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Celeron 2981U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Atom C3338 scores 1,028 against the Celeron 2981U's 1,036 — a 0.8% lead for the Celeron 2981U. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Atom C3338 vs 2 MB on the Celeron 2981U.

Feature	Atom C3338	Celeron 2981U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz+38%	1.6 GHz
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	1.6 GHz+7%
L3 Cache	4 MB+100%	2 MB
L2 Cache	4 MB+700%	512 kB
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Goldmont (2016−2017)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	1,028	1,036

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Memory & Platform

The Atom C3338 uses the FCBGA1310 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Celeron 2981U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-1866 on the Atom C3338 versus DDR3L-1600 on the Celeron 2981U — the Atom C3338 supports 16.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Atom C3338 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom C3338) vs 2 (Celeron 2981U). PCIe lanes: 10 (Atom C3338) vs 12 (Celeron 2981U) — the Celeron 2981U offers 2 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel FCBGA1310 (Atom C3338) and Wildcat Point-LP (Celeron 2981U).

Feature	Atom C3338	Celeron 2981U
Socket	FCBGA1310	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-1866+17%	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+700%	16 GB
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	10	12+20%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom C3338) / VT-x (Celeron 2981U). The Celeron 2981U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Haswell)), while the Atom C3338 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 2981U targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 2981U rivals Pentium 2117U.