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.

Celeron 2957U vs Core i3-2130 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.

Celeron 2957U vs Core i3-2130: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron 2957U

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (284 vs 505).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-2130.

Core i3-2130

2011

Why buy it

✅+77.8% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
✅60% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 10) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Celeron 2957U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,067 vs 2,077).
❌Launch MSRP is still $138 MSRP, while Celeron 2957U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-2130 better than Celeron 2957U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-2130 is ahead with a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron 2957U pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark. Core i3-2130 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron 2957U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Core i3-2130 is the better buy right now. Core i3-2130 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $138 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Celeron 2957U is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.5% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (15.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Celeron 2957U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron 2957U vs Core i3-2130 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron 2957U

The Celeron 2957U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 1.4 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: 2,077 points. Launch price was $107.

Core i3-2130

The Core i3-2130 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,067 points. Launch price was $123.

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Processing Power

The Celeron 2957U packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-2130's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.4 GHz on the Celeron 2957U versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i3-2130 — a 83.3% clock advantage for the Core i3-2130 (base: 1.4 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Celeron 2957U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i3-2130 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 2957U scores 2,077 against the Core i3-2130's 2,067 — a 0.5% lead for the Celeron 2957U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 284 vs 505, a 56% lead for the Core i3-2130 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron 2957U vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2130.

Feature	Celeron 2957U	Core i3-2130
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.4 GHz	3.4 GHz+143%
Base Clock	1.4 GHz	3.4 GHz+143%
L3 Cache	2 MB	3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	2,077	2,067
Geekbench 6 Single	284	505+78%

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron 2957U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-2130 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Celeron 2957U versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i3-2130 — the Celeron 2957U supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-2130 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 10 (Celeron 2957U) vs 16 (Core i3-2130) — the Core i3-2130 offers 6 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Wildcat Point-LP (Celeron 2957U) and H61,B65,H67,P67,Z68,Q67,Q75,H77,Z75,Z77 (Core i3-2130).

Feature	Celeron 2957U	Core i3-2130
Socket	FCBGA1168	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600+20%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	32 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	10	16+60%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron 2957U) vs VT-x, EPT (Core i3-2130). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics (Haswell) (Celeron 2957U) and HD Graphics 2000 (Core i3-2130) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 2957U targets Budget, Core i3-2130 targets Mainstream Desktop. Direct competitor: Celeron 2957U rivals Pentium 2117U; Core i3-2130 rivals Pentium G860.

Feature	Celeron 2957U	Core i3-2130
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics (Haswell)	HD Graphics 2000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x, EPT
Target Use	Budget	Mainstream Desktop