Celeron 3855U vs Core i3-2310M

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 3855U vs Core i3-2310M 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 3855U vs Core i3-2310M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron 3855U

2015

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 512W, a 497W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-2310M across 48 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (632 vs 658).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).

Core i3-2310M

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.4% higher average FPS across 48 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅60% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 10) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌3313.3% higher power demand at 512W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-2310M better than Celeron 3855U?

Yes. Core i3-2310M is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.4% average FPS lead across 48 shared CPU game tests in our data, 4.1% better Geekbench multi-core, and 0.6% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-2310M is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.4% more average FPS across 48 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-2310M is the stronger fit. You are getting 4.1% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Core i3-2310M still makes the most sense overall. Core i3-2310M comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.4% average FPS lead across 48 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Celeron 3855U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron 3855U vs Core i3-2310M Technical Specifications

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

Celeron 3855U

The Celeron 3855U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 August 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) 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 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, LPDDR3-1600/1866, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,215 points. Launch price was $107.

Core i3-2310M

The Core i3-2310M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,222 points. Launch price was $225.

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Processing Power

The Celeron 3855U packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-2310M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.6 GHz on the Celeron 3855U versus 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-2310M — a 27% clock advantage for the Core i3-2310M (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Celeron 3855U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-2310M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 3855U scores 1,215 against the Core i3-2310M's 1,222 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-2310M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 361 vs 350, a 3.1% lead for the Celeron 3855U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 632 vs 658 (4% advantage for the Core i3-2310M). L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron 3855U vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2310M.

Feature	Celeron 3855U	Core i3-2310M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.6 GHz	2.1 GHz+31%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2.1 GHz+31%
L3 Cache	2 MB	3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,215	1,222
Geekbench 6 Single	361+3%	350
Geekbench 6 Multi	632	658+4%

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron 3855U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-2310M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4 2133 MHz on the Celeron 3855U versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i3-2310M — the Celeron 3855U supports 60% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron 3855U supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 10 (Celeron 3855U) vs 16 (Core i3-2310M) — the Core i3-2310M offers 6 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: FCBGA1356 (Celeron 3855U) and Sandy Bridge (Core i3-2310M).

Feature	Celeron 3855U	Core i3-2310M
Socket	BGA1356	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4 2133 MHz+60%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+100%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	10	16+60%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Celeron 3855U) vs VT-x (Core i3-2310M). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 510 (Celeron 3855U) and HD Graphics 3000 (Core i3-2310M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 3855U targets Budget, Core i3-2310M targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 3855U rivals Pentium 3825U; Core i3-2310M rivals Athlon Silver 3050U.