Celeron 2980U 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 2980U 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 2980U 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 2980U

2013

Why buy it

✅+26.4% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.

Trade-offs

❌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

✅+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

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (280 vs 354).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (650 vs 694).
❌Launch MSRP is still $130 MSRP, while Celeron 2980U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron 2980U better than Core i3-350M?

Yes. Celeron 2980U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 6.8% better Geekbench multi-core, 0.4% 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 0.2% 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 6.8% 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 $130 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-350M only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (8.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA988.

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 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron 2980U vs Core i3-350M 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.

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.

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Processing Power

The Celeron 2980U packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-350M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.6 GHz on the Celeron 2980U versus 0.27 GHz on the Core i3-350M — 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 Core i3-350M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 2980U scores 1,092 against the Core i3-350M's 1,088 — a 0.4% lead for the Celeron 2980U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 354 vs 280, a 23.3% lead for the Celeron 2980U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 694 vs 650 (6.5% advantage for the Celeron 2980U). L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron 2980U vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-350M.

Feature	Celeron 2980U	Core i3-350M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.6 GHz+493%	0.27 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2.26 GHz+41%
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	1,092	1,088
Geekbench 6 Single	354+26%	280
Geekbench 6 Multi	694+7%	650

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron 2980U 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 2980U versus DDR3-1066 on the Core i3-350M — the Celeron 2980U supports 50.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. 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 16 (Core i3-350M) — the Core i3-350M offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Haswell-ULT (Celeron 2980U) and HM55,HM57 (Core i3-350M).

Feature	Celeron 2980U	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%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron 2980U) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-350M). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Haswell) (Celeron 2980U) and Intel HD Graphics (Core i3-350M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 2980U targets Low Power, Core i3-350M targets Entry Laptop. Direct competitor: Celeron 2980U rivals AMD A4-5000; Core i3-350M rivals AMD Athlon II P320.

Feature	Celeron 2980U	Core i3-350M
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Haswell)	Intel HD Graphics
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Low Power	Entry Laptop