Celeron 2961Y vs Core i3-350M

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 2961Y vs Core i3-350M 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 2961Y vs Core i3-350M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron 2961Y

2013

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,085 vs 1,088).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.

Core i3-350M

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $130 MSRP, while Celeron 2961Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-350M better than Celeron 2961Y?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron 2961Y is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-350M pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark. Core i3-350M 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, Core i3-350M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Core i3-350M is the better buy right now. Core i3-350M comes in at an unclear MSRP at $130 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Celeron 2961Y is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (8.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2961Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron 2961Y vs Core i3-350M Technical Specifications

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

Celeron 2961Y

The Celeron 2961Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 December 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 1.1 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 11.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,085 points. Launch price was $107.

Core i3-350M

The Core i3-350M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 0.27 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,088 points. Launch price was $130.

⚡

Processing Power

The Celeron 2961Y packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-350M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.1 GHz on the Celeron 2961Y versus 0.27 GHz on the Core i3-350M — a 121.2% clock advantage for the Celeron 2961Y (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.26 GHz). The Celeron 2961Y uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i3-350M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 2961Y scores 1,085 against the Core i3-350M's 1,088 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-350M. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron 2961Y vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-350M.

Feature	Celeron 2961Y	Core i3-350M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.1 GHz+307%	0.27 GHz
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	2.26 GHz+105%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,085	1,088
Geekbench 6 Single	—	280
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	650

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron 2961Y uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-350M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Celeron 2961Y versus DDR3-1066 on the Core i3-350M — the Celeron 2961Y supports 50.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron 2961Y supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Celeron 2961Y) vs 16 (Core i3-350M) — the Core i3-350M offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Wildcat Point-LP (Celeron 2961Y) and HM55,HM57 (Core i3-350M).

Feature	Celeron 2961Y	Core i3-350M
Socket	FCBGA1168	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600+50%	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+100%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12	16+33%

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron 2961Y) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-350M). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics (Haswell) (Celeron 2961Y) and Intel HD Graphics (Core i3-350M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 2961Y targets Budget, Core i3-350M targets Entry Laptop. Direct competitor: Celeron 2961Y rivals Pentium 2117U; Core i3-350M rivals AMD Athlon II P320.

Feature	Celeron 2961Y	Core i3-350M
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics (Haswell)	Intel HD Graphics
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Budget	Entry Laptop