Celeron 4305UE vs Core i3-3120M

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 4305UE vs Core i3-3120M 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 4305UE vs Core i3-3120M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron 4305UE

2018

Why buy it

✅+52.3% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 15W instead of 512W, a 497W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $107 MSRP, while Core i3-3120M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i3-3120M

2012

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (440 vs 670).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (930 vs 1,065).
❌3313.3% higher power demand at 512W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron 4305UE better than Core i3-3120M?

Yes. Celeron 4305UE is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 14.5% better Geekbench multi-core, 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 4305UE is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.8% 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 4305UE is the stronger fit. You are getting 14.5% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron 4305UE is the better buy right now. Celeron 4305UE comes in at an unclear MSRP at $107 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (15.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 4305UE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2012) 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 4305UE vs Core i3-3120M Technical Specifications

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

Celeron 4305UE

The Celeron 4305UE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,699 points. Launch price was $107.

Core i3-3120M

The Core i3-3120M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,709 points. Launch price was $160.

⚡

Processing Power

The Celeron 4305UE packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-3120M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Celeron 4305UE versus 2.5 GHz on the Core i3-3120M — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Core i3-3120M. The Celeron 4305UE uses the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i3-3120M uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 4305UE scores 1,699 against the Core i3-3120M's 1,709 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-3120M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 670 vs 440, a 41.4% lead for the Celeron 4305UE that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,065 vs 930 (13.5% advantage for the Celeron 4305UE). L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron 4305UE vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3120M.

Feature	Celeron 4305UE	Core i3-3120M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2 GHz	2.5 GHz+25%
Base Clock	—	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	10 nm-55%	22 nm
Architecture	Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	1,699	1,709
Geekbench 6 Single	670+52%	440
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,065+15%	930

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron 4305UE uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-3120M uses PGA988 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Celeron 4305UE versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-3120M — the Celeron 4305UE supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron 4305UE supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Whiskey Lake (Celeron 4305UE) and HM76,HM77 (Core i3-3120M).

Feature	Celeron 4305UE	Core i3-3120M
Socket	FCBGA1528	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133+33%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Celeron 4305UE) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-3120M). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 610 (Celeron 4305UE) and Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i3-3120M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 4305UE targets Budget, Core i3-3120M targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: Celeron 4305UE rivals Athlon Silver 3050GE; Core i3-3120M rivals AMD A8-4500M.

Feature	Celeron 4305UE	Core i3-3120M
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 610	Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Budget	Budget Laptop