Celeron 3215U vs Phenom X3 8250e

Intel

Celeron 3215U

2 Cores2 Thrd512 WWMax: 1.7 GHz2015
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Phenom X3 8250e

3 Cores3 Thrd65 WWMax: 1.9 GHz2008
Similar parts
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Celeron 3215U vs Phenom X3 8250e Performance Spectrum

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.

Celeron 3215U vs Phenom X3 8250e 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 3215U vs Phenom X3 8250e: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron 3215U

2015

Why buy it

  • +0.6% higher PassMark.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics (Broadwell), while Phenom X3 8250e needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • 687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.

Phenom X3 8250e

2008

Why buy it

  • Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,084 vs 1,091).
  • No integrated graphics, while Celeron 3215U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron 3215U better than Phenom X3 8250e?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Phenom X3 8250e is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron 3215U pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron 3215U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Celeron 3215U still makes the most sense overall. Celeron 3215U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Celeron 3215U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2008) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 3/3. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron 3215U vs Phenom X3 8250e Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Celeron 3215U

The Celeron 3215U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 1.7 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,091 points. Launch price was $107.

AMD

Phenom X3 8250e

The Phenom X3 8250e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Toliman (2008) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Max frequency: 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: AM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,084 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

The Celeron 3215U packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Phenom X3 8250e offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Phenom X3 8250e has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 1.7 GHz on the Celeron 3215U versus 1.9 GHz on the Phenom X3 8250e — a 11.1% clock advantage for the Phenom X3 8250e. The Celeron 3215U uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Phenom X3 8250e uses Toliman (2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 3215U scores 1,091 against the Phenom X3 8250e's 1,084 — a 0.6% lead for the Celeron 3215U. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron 3215U vs 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X3 8250e.

FeatureCeleron 3215UPhenom X3 8250e
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
3 / 3+50%
Boost Clock
1.7 GHz
1.9 GHz+12%
Base Clock
1.7 GHz
L3 Cache
2 MB
2 MB (total)
L2 Cache
512 kB
512 kB (per core)
Process
14 nm-78%
65 nm
Architecture
Broadwell (2015−2019)
Toliman (2008)
PassMark
1,091
1,084
Geekbench 6 Single
339
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Memory & Platform

The Celeron 3215U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom X3 8250e uses AM2+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCeleron 3215UPhenom X3 8250e
Socket
FCBGA1168
AM2+
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, VT-d (Celeron 3215U) / not specified (Phenom X3 8250e). The Celeron 3215U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Broadwell)), while the Phenom X3 8250e requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 3215U targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 3215U rivals Pentium 3825U.

FeatureCeleron 3215UPhenom X3 8250e
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics (Broadwell)
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Budget