Celeron 2980U vs Core i7-620UM

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 i7-620UM 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 i7-620UM: 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

✅+1.1% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (694 vs 700).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 4 MB).
❌2744.4% higher power demand at 512W vs 18W.

Core i7-620UM

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 18W instead of 512W, a 494W reduction.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (350 vs 354).
❌Launch MSRP is still $278 MSRP, while Celeron 2980U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-620UM better than Celeron 2980U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron 2980U 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 i7-620UM pulls ahead with 0.9% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i7-620UM also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-620UM is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Core i7-620UM is the better buy right now. Core i7-620UM comes in at an unclear MSRP at $278 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better Geekbench multi-core. The compromise is that Celeron 2980U is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (3.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron 2980U vs Core i7-620UM 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 i7-620UM

The Core i7-620UM 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 1.06 GHz, with boost up to 2.13 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800. Passmark benchmark score: 1,091 points. Launch price was $278.

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Processing Power

The Celeron 2980U packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i7-620UM's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.6 GHz on the Celeron 2980U versus 2.13 GHz on the Core i7-620UM — a 28.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-620UM (base: 1.6 GHz vs 1.06 GHz). The Celeron 2980U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-620UM uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 2980U scores 1,092 against the Core i7-620UM's 1,091 — a 0.1% lead for the Celeron 2980U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 354 vs 350, a 1.1% lead for the Celeron 2980U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 694 vs 700 (0.9% advantage for the Core i7-620UM). L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron 2980U vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-620UM.

Feature	Celeron 2980U	Core i7-620UM
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.6 GHz	2.13 GHz+33%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz+51%	1.06 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	4 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,092	1,091
Geekbench 6 Single	354+1%	350
Geekbench 6 Multi	694	700

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron 2980U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-620UM uses BGA1288 (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 i7-620UM — 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 i7-620UM) — the Core i7-620UM offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Haswell-ULT (Celeron 2980U) and HM55,QM57 (Core i7-620UM).

Feature	Celeron 2980U	Core i7-620UM
Socket	FCBGA1168	BGA1288
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. Both support VT-x virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Haswell) (Celeron 2980U) and Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) (Core i7-620UM) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 2980U targets Low Power, Core i7-620UM targets Ultra-Portable Laptop. Direct competitor: Celeron 2980U rivals AMD A4-5000; Core i7-620UM rivals Core 2 Duo SU9600.

Feature	Celeron 2980U	Core i7-620UM
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Haswell)	Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x
Target Use	Low Power	Ultra-Portable Laptop