Celeron 2980U vs Celeron E3200

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 2980U vs Celeron E3200 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 2980U vs Celeron E3200: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron 2980U

2013

Why buy it

✅+4.1% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Haswell), while Celeron E3200 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.

Celeron E3200

2009

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (340 vs 354).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (610 vs 694).
❌Launch MSRP is still $43 MSRP, while Celeron 2980U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron 2980U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron 2980U better than Celeron E3200?

Yes. Celeron 2980U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 13.8% better Geekbench multi-core, 0.2% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Celeron 2980U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.8% 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, Celeron 2980U is the stronger fit. You are getting 13.8% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron 2980U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Celeron 2980U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $43 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron E3200 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2009 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (25.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA775.

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

Celeron 2980U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron 2980U vs Celeron E3200 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron 2980U

The Celeron 2980U 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 (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,092 points. Launch price was $69.

Celeron E3200

The Celeron E3200 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,090 points. Launch price was $52.

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Processing Power

Both the Celeron 2980U and Celeron E3200 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.6 GHz on the Celeron 2980U versus 2.4 GHz on the Celeron E3200 — a 40% clock advantage for the Celeron E3200 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Celeron 2980U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Celeron E3200 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 2980U scores 1,092 against the Celeron E3200's 1,090 — a 0.2% lead for the Celeron 2980U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 354 vs 340, a 4% lead for the Celeron 2980U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 694 vs 610 (12.9% advantage for the Celeron 2980U). L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron 2980U vs 0 kB on the Celeron E3200.

Feature	Celeron 2980U	Celeron E3200
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.6 GHz	2.4 GHz+50%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2.4 GHz+50%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB (total)
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Wolfdale (2008−2010)
PassMark	1,092	1,090
Geekbench 6 Single	354+4%	340
Geekbench 6 Multi	694+14%	610

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron 2980U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Celeron E3200 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Celeron 2980U versus DDR2-800 on the Celeron E3200 — the Celeron 2980U supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Celeron 2980U) vs 0 (Celeron E3200) — the Celeron 2980U offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Haswell-ULT (Celeron 2980U) and G31,G41,P45 (Celeron E3200).

Feature	Celeron 2980U	Celeron E3200
Socket	FCBGA1168	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600+100%	DDR2-800
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12	0

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x virtualization. The Celeron 2980U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Haswell)), while the Celeron E3200 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 2980U targets Low Power, Celeron E3200 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 2980U rivals AMD A4-5000; Celeron E3200 rivals Pentium E5200.