Atom D2560 vs Celeron N3000

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 D2560 vs Celeron N3000 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 D2560 vs Celeron N3000: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom D2560

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 1W instead of 2W, a 1W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Celeron N3000

2015

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom D2560 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (705 vs 765).
❌100% higher power demand at 2W vs 1W.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom D2560 better than Celeron N3000?

Yes. Atom D2560 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 8.5% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Atom D2560 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Atom D2560 is the stronger fit. You are getting 8.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Atom D2560 still makes the most sense overall. Atom D2560 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Celeron N3000 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Atom D2560 vs Celeron N3000 Technical Specifications

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

Atom D2560

The Atom D2560 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 October 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Cedarview (2011−2012) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 1 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA559. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 765 points. Launch price was $69.

Celeron N3000

The Celeron N3000 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Braswell (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.04 GHz, with boost up to 2.08 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 4 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 705 points. Launch price was $107.

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Processing Power

The Atom D2560 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Celeron N3000's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Atom D2560 versus 2.08 GHz on the Celeron N3000 — a 3.9% clock advantage for the Celeron N3000 (base: 2 GHz vs 1.04 GHz). The Atom D2560 uses the Cedarview (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Celeron N3000 uses Braswell (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Atom D2560 scores 765 against the Celeron N3000's 705 — a 8.2% lead for the Atom D2560. L3 cache: 1 MB on the Atom D2560 vs 0 kB on the Celeron N3000.

Feature	Atom D2560	Celeron N3000
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2 GHz	2.08 GHz+4%
Base Clock	2 GHz+92%	1.04 GHz
L3 Cache	1 MB	0 kB
L2 Cache	1 MB	1 MB
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Cedarview (2011−2012)	Braswell (2015−2016)
PassMark	765+9%	705
Geekbench 6 Single	—	160
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	290

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Memory & Platform

The Atom D2560 uses the FCBGA559 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron N3000 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1066 on the Atom D2560 versus DDR3L-1600 on the Celeron N3000 — the Celeron N3000 supports 50.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron N3000 supports up to 8 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom D2560) vs 2 (Celeron N3000). Both provide 4 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel FCBGA559 (Atom D2560) and SoC (Celeron N3000).

Feature	Atom D2560	Celeron N3000
Socket	FCBGA559	FCBGA1170
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	DDR3L-1600+50%
Max RAM Capacity	4 GB	8 GB+100%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	4	4

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom D2560) / VT-x, VT-d (Celeron N3000). Both include integrated graphics — Intel GMA 3650 (Atom D2560) and Intel HD Graphics 400 (Celeron N3000) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron N3000 targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: Celeron N3000 rivals AMD E2-7110.