Celeron 3855U vs Core i3-380M

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 i3-380M 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 i3-380M: 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 35W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (361 vs 450).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (632 vs 1,100).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).

Core i3-380M

2010

Why buy it

✅+24.7% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+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

❌Launch MSRP is still $49 MSRP, while Celeron 3855U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌133.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-380M better than Celeron 3855U?

Yes. Core i3-380M is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 43 shared CPU game tests in our data and 74.1% better Geekbench multi-core, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-380M is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.2% more average FPS across 43 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-380M is the stronger fit. You are getting 74.1% 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 i3-380M is the better buy right now. Core i3-380M comes in at an unclear MSRP at $49 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 43 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (24.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron 3855U vs Core i3-380M 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 i3-380M

The Core i3-380M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 October 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 0.53 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: 1,212 points. Launch price was $49.

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Processing Power

The Celeron 3855U packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-380M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.6 GHz on the Celeron 3855U versus 0.53 GHz on the Core i3-380M — a 100.5% clock advantage for the Celeron 3855U (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The Celeron 3855U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-380M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 3855U scores 1,215 against the Core i3-380M's 1,212 — a 0.2% lead for the Celeron 3855U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 361 vs 450, a 21.9% lead for the Core i3-380M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 632 vs 1,100 (54% advantage for the Core i3-380M). L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron 3855U vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-380M.

Feature	Celeron 3855U	Core i3-380M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.6 GHz+202%	0.53 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2.53 GHz+58%
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)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,215	1,212
Geekbench 6 Single	361	450+25%
Geekbench 6 Multi	632	1,100+74%

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron 3855U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-380M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4 2133 MHz on the Celeron 3855U versus DDR3-1066 on the Core i3-380M — the Celeron 3855U supports 100.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron 3855U supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 10 (Celeron 3855U) vs 16 (Core i3-380M) — the Core i3-380M offers 6 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: FCBGA1356 (Celeron 3855U) and HM55,HM57,QM57 (Core i3-380M).

Feature	Celeron 3855U	Core i3-380M
Socket	BGA1356	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4 2133 MHz+100%	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+300%	8 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 i3-380M). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 510 (Celeron 3855U) and Intel HD Graphics (Gen 1) (Core i3-380M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 3855U targets Budget, Core i3-380M targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Celeron 3855U rivals Pentium 3825U; Core i3-380M rivals AMD Athlon II P320.

Feature	Celeron 3855U	Core i3-380M
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 510	Intel HD Graphics (Gen 1)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	VT-x
Target Use	Budget	Legacy Laptop