Celeron 2970M vs Core i3-380UM

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 2970M vs Core i3-380UM 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 2970M vs Core i3-380UM: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron 2970M

2014

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,501 vs 1,502).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).

Core i3-380UM

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-380UM better than Celeron 2970M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron 2970M is ahead with a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-380UM pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Core i3-380UM 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 i3-380UM is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% 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 i3-380UM still makes the most sense overall. Core i3-380UM comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark.

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

Celeron 2970M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron 2970M vs Core i3-380UM Technical Specifications

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

Celeron 2970M

The Celeron 2970M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 April 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,501 points. Launch price was $75.

Core i3-380UM

The Core i3-380UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.33 GHz, with boost up to 0.03 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,502 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Celeron 2970M packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-380UM's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Celeron 2970M versus 0.03 GHz on the Core i3-380UM — a 194.6% clock advantage for the Celeron 2970M (base: 2.2 GHz vs 1.33 GHz). The Celeron 2970M uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i3-380UM uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 2970M scores 1,501 against the Core i3-380UM's 1,502 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i3-380UM. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron 2970M vs 3 MB on the Core i3-380UM.

Feature	Celeron 2970M	Core i3-380UM
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz+7233%	0.03 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz+65%	1.33 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB	3 MB+50%
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,501	1,502
Geekbench 6 Single	—	199
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	451

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron 2970M uses the PGA946 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-380UM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Celeron 2970M versus DDR3-800 on the Core i3-380UM — the Celeron 2970M supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron 2970M supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM87,HM86 (Celeron 2970M) and HM55,HM57,QM57 (Core i3-380UM).

Feature	Celeron 2970M	Core i3-380UM
Socket	PGA946	BGA1288
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600+100%	DDR3-800
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+300%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron 2970M) vs No (Core i3-380UM). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics (Haswell) (Celeron 2970M) and Intel HD Graphics (Core i3-380UM) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 2970M targets Budget, Core i3-380UM targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 2970M rivals Pentium 2020M; Core i3-380UM rivals Athlon Silver 3050U.