Celeron 2980U vs Celeron G1101

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 G1101 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 G1101: 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

✅+41.6% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.

Trade-offs

❌601.4% higher power demand at 512W vs 73W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Celeron G1101.

Celeron G1101

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 73W instead of 512W, a 439W reduction.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Intel Stock), unlike Celeron 2980U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (250 vs 354).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (450 vs 694).
❌Launch MSRP is still $50 MSRP, while Celeron 2980U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron 2980U better than Celeron G1101?

Yes. Celeron 2980U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 54.2% better Geekbench multi-core, 0.6% 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 0.1% 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 54.2% 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 $50 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron G1101 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (21.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1156.

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 2010) 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 G1101 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 G1101

The Celeron G1101 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 0.27 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,086 points. Launch price was $85.

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Processing Power

Both the Celeron 2980U and Celeron G1101 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.6 GHz on the Celeron 2980U versus 0.27 GHz on the Celeron G1101 — a 142.2% clock advantage for the Celeron 2980U (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.26 GHz). The Celeron 2980U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Celeron G1101 uses Clarkdale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 2980U scores 1,092 against the Celeron G1101's 1,086 — a 0.6% lead for the Celeron 2980U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 354 vs 250, a 34.4% lead for the Celeron 2980U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 694 vs 450 (42.7% advantage for the Celeron 2980U). Both processors carry 2 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Celeron 2980U	Celeron G1101
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.6 GHz+493%	0.27 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2.26 GHz+41%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Clarkdale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,092	1,086
Geekbench 6 Single	354+42%	250
Geekbench 6 Multi	694+54%	450

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron 2980U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Celeron G1101 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Celeron 2980U versus DDR3-1066 on the Celeron G1101 — the Celeron 2980U supports 50.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron G1101 supports up to 16.38 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 2.4% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Celeron 2980U) vs 16 (Celeron G1101) — the Celeron G1101 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Haswell-ULT (Celeron 2980U) and H55,3420 (Celeron G1101).

Feature	Celeron 2980U	Celeron G1101
Socket	FCBGA1168	LGA1156
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600+50%	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	16.38 GB+2%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	12	16+33%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Haswell) (Celeron 2980U) and Intel HD Graphics (Westmere) (Celeron G1101) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 2980U targets Low Power, Celeron G1101 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Celeron 2980U rivals AMD A4-5000; Celeron G1101 rivals Pentium G6950.

Feature	Celeron 2980U	Celeron G1101
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Haswell)	Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x
Target Use	Low Power	Desktop