Celeron 2980U vs Celeron N3050

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 N3050 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 N3050: 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

✅+60.2% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅200% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌8433.3% higher power demand at 512W vs 6W.

Celeron N3050

2015

Why buy it

✅Draws 6W instead of 512W, a 506W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (221 vs 354).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (440 vs 694).

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron 2980U better than Celeron N3050?

Yes. Celeron 2980U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 57.7% better Geekbench multi-core, 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 1.5% 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 57.7% 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 still makes the most sense overall. Celeron 2980U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Celeron N3050 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron 2980U vs Celeron N3050 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 N3050

The Celeron N3050 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Braswell (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.16 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,099 points. Launch price was $107.

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Processing Power

Both the Celeron 2980U and Celeron N3050 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.6 GHz on the Celeron 2980U versus 2.16 GHz on the Celeron N3050 — a 29.8% clock advantage for the Celeron N3050 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Celeron 2980U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Celeron N3050 uses Braswell (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 2980U scores 1,092 against the Celeron N3050's 1,099 — a 0.6% lead for the Celeron N3050. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 354 vs 221, a 46.3% lead for the Celeron 2980U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 694 vs 440 (44.8% advantage for the Celeron 2980U). L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron 2980U vs 0 kB on the Celeron N3050.

Feature	Celeron 2980U	Celeron N3050
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.6 GHz	2.16 GHz+35%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Braswell (2015−2016)
PassMark	1,092	1,099
Geekbench 6 Single	354+60%	221
Geekbench 6 Multi	694+58%	440

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron 2980U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Celeron N3050 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3L-1600 memory speed. The Celeron 2980U 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 2980U) vs 4 (Celeron N3050) — the Celeron 2980U offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Haswell-ULT (Celeron 2980U) and Braswell SoC (Celeron N3050).

Feature	Celeron 2980U	Celeron N3050
Socket	FCBGA1168	FCBGA1170
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+100%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12+200%	4

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron 2980U) vs VT-x / EPT (Celeron N3050). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Haswell) (Celeron 2980U) and Intel HD Graphics (Braswell) (Celeron N3050) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 2980U targets Low Power, Celeron N3050 targets Netbook. Direct competitor: Celeron 2980U rivals AMD A4-5000; Celeron N3050 rivals AMD E2-7110.

Feature	Celeron 2980U	Celeron N3050
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Haswell)	Intel HD Graphics (Braswell)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x / EPT
Target Use	Low Power	Netbook