Celeron 2981U vs Pentium N3510

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 2981U vs Pentium N3510 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 2981U vs Pentium N3510: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron 2981U

2014

Why buy it

✅Costs $24 less on MSRP ($137 MSRP vs $161 MSRP).
✅Delivers 17.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 7.6 vs 6.5 PassMark/$ ($137 MSRP vs $161 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics (Haswell), while Pentium N3510 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,036 vs 1,040).
❌25500% higher power demand at 512W vs 2W.

Pentium N3510

2013

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 512W, a 510W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.5 vs 7.6 PassMark/$ ($161 MSRP vs $137 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron 2981U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium N3510 better than Celeron 2981U?

Yes. Pentium N3510 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you 0.4% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium N3510 has the edge because it leads the single-thread side of this matchup with 25% higher max boost clock.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium N3510 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium N3510 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Pentium N3510 comes in 17.5% more expensive on MSRP at $161 MSRP versus $137 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% higher PassMark. Celeron 2981U only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games.

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

Celeron 2981U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron 2981U vs Pentium N3510 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron 2981U

The Celeron 2981U 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. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,036 points. Launch price was $69.

Pentium N3510

The Pentium N3510 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 December 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 7.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,040 points. Launch price was $161.

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Processing Power

The Celeron 2981U packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Pentium N3510 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium N3510 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.6 GHz on the Celeron 2981U versus 2 GHz on the Pentium N3510 — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Pentium N3510 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Celeron 2981U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium N3510 uses Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 2981U scores 1,036 against the Pentium N3510's 1,040 — a 0.4% lead for the Pentium N3510. Both processors carry 2 MB of L3 cache.

Feature	Celeron 2981U	Pentium N3510
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	1.6 GHz	2 GHz+25%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2 GHz+25%
L3 Cache	2 MB	2 MB
L2 Cache	512 kB	2 MB+300%
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Bay Trail-M (2013−2014)
PassMark	1,036	1,040

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron 2981U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium N3510 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron 2981U	Pentium N3510
Socket	FCBGA1168	FCBGA1170
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Celeron 2981U) / not specified (Pentium N3510). The Celeron 2981U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Haswell)), while the Pentium N3510 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 2981U targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 2981U rivals Pentium 2117U.

Feature	Celeron 2981U	Pentium N3510
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics (Haswell)	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Budget	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron 2981U was priced at $137, while the Pentium N3510 came in at $161. On launch pricing ($137 vs $161), Celeron 2981U was $24 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron 2981U delivers 7.6 pts/$ vs 6.5 pts/$ for the Pentium N3510 — making the Celeron 2981U the 15.7% better value option.

Feature	Celeron 2981U	Pentium N3510
MSRP	$137-15%	$161
Performance per Dollar	7.6+17%	6.5
Release Date	2014	2013

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