Celeron 3205U vs Core i5-560UM

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 3205U vs Core i5-560UM 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 3205U vs Core i5-560UM: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron 3205U

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌2744.4% higher power demand at 512W vs 18W.

Core i5-560UM

2010

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 18W instead of 512W, a 494W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Celeron 3205U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,015 vs 1,025).
❌Launch MSRP is still $250 MSRP, while Celeron 3205U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron 3205U better than Core i5-560UM?

Yes. Celeron 3205U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1% better 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 3205U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.0% 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 3205U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron 3205U is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Celeron 3205U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-560UM 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, especially when the gap is already 4.0% in the shared gaming data.

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

Celeron 3205U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 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 3205U vs Core i5-560UM Technical Specifications

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

Celeron 3205U

The Celeron 3205U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.5 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,025 points. Launch price was $107.

Core i5-560UM

The Core i5-560UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.33 GHz, with boost up to 2.13 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,015 points. Launch price was $250.

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Processing Power

The Celeron 3205U packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-560UM's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.5 GHz on the Celeron 3205U versus 2.13 GHz on the Core i5-560UM — a 34.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-560UM (base: 1.5 GHz vs 1.33 GHz). The Celeron 3205U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-560UM uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 3205U scores 1,025 against the Core i5-560UM's 1,015 — a 1% lead for the Celeron 3205U. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron 3205U vs 3 MB on the Core i5-560UM.

Feature	Celeron 3205U	Core i5-560UM
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.5 GHz	2.13 GHz+42%
Base Clock	1.5 GHz+13%	1.33 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	3 MB+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,025	1,015
Geekbench 6 Single	287	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	483	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron 3205U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-560UM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Celeron 3205U versus 800 on the Core i5-560UM — the Celeron 3205U supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron 3205U 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. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Wildcat Point-LP (Celeron 3205U) and HM55,HM57,QM57,QS57 (Core i5-560UM).

Feature	Celeron 3205U	Core i5-560UM
Socket	FCBGA1168	BGA1288
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600+100%	800
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+100%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron 3205U) vs true (Core i5-560UM). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics (Broadwell) (Celeron 3205U) and Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) (Core i5-560UM) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 3205U targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 3205U rivals Pentium 2117U; Core i5-560UM rivals Core 2 Duo SU9400.