Celeron 3205U
VS
Core i5-560UM

Celeron 3205U vs Core i5-560UM

Intel

Celeron 3205U

2 Cores2 Thrd512 WWMax: 1.5 GHz2015
VS
Intel

Core i5-560UM

2 Cores4 Thrd18 WWMax: 2.13 GHz2010

Performance Spectrum - CPU

About PassMark

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Celeron 3205U is positioned at rank 279 and the Core i5-560UM is on rank 1224, so the Celeron 3205U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Celeron 3205U

#82
Core i7-11700B
MSRP: $323|Avg: $311
98%
#83
Core i7-13700HX
MSRP: $485|Avg: N/A
97%
#266
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
429%
#267
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
423%
#268
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
388%
#269
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
387%
#270
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
383%
#272
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
370%
#273
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
355%
#274
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
354%
#275
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
345%
#279
Celeron 3205U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-560UM

#1212
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
7227%
#1213
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
7121%
#1214
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
6537%
#1215
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
6507%
#1216
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
6448%
#1218
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
6227%
#1219
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
5970%
#1220
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
5961%
#1221
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
5800%
#1224
Core i5-560UM
MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A
100%
#1225
Core i7-660UM
MSRP: $317|Avg: N/A
99%
#1226
C-30
MSRP: $50|Avg: $15
99%
#1228
Core i7-620UM
MSRP: $278|Avg: N/A
97%
#1230
Celeron 570
MSRP: $134|Avg: $15
93%
#1231
Core i7-820QM
MSRP: $546|Avg: N/A
82%
#1233
Core Duo T2700
MSRP: $663|Avg: N/A
69%
#1235
Pentium SU4100
MSRP: $289|Avg: $15
58%
#1236
Core Solo T1400
MSRP: $200|Avg: $5
53%
#1237
Core i7-940XM
MSRP: $1096|Avg: N/A
51%
#1238
Core Solo T1350
MSRP: $200|Avg: $70
50%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i5-560UM leads in gaming performance. However, the Celeron 3205U is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 1% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightCeleron 3205UCore i5-560UM
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($250)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCeleron 3205UCore i5-560UM
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($250)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Celeron 3205U and Core i5-560UM

Intel

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.

Intel

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.

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.

FeatureCeleron 3205UCore 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
🧠

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 Core i5-560UM supports 198.5% 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 66.7% 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).

FeatureCeleron 3205UCore i5-560UM
Socket
FCBGA1168
BGA1288
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3L-1600
800+26567%
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB+209715100%
8
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
16
🔧

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.

FeatureCeleron 3205UCore i5-560UM
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics (Broadwell)
Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x
true
Target Use
Budget