Celeron 5305U vs Celeron E3500

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 5305U vs Celeron E3500 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 5305U vs Celeron E3500: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron 5305U

2020

Why buy it

✅+38.3% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics (Comet Lake), while Celeron E3500 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Celeron E3500

2010

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (347 vs 480).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (624 vs 865).
❌Launch MSRP is still $62 MSRP, while Celeron 5305U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron 5305U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron 5305U better than Celeron E3500?

Yes. Celeron 5305U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.9% average FPS lead across 34 shared CPU game tests in our data, 38.6% better Geekbench multi-core, 1.3% higher PassMark, 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 5305U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.9% more average FPS across 34 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron 5305U is the stronger fit. You are getting 38.6% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron 5305U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Celeron 5305U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $62 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.9% average FPS lead across 34 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron E3500 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (20.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA775.

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

Celeron 5305U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron 5305U vs Celeron E3500 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron 5305U

The Celeron 5305U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, LPDDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 1,307 points. Launch price was $69.

Celeron E3500

The Celeron E3500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 August 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,290 points. Launch price was $62.

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Processing Power

Both the Celeron 5305U and Celeron E3500 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Celeron 5305U versus 2.7 GHz on the Celeron E3500 — a 16% clock advantage for the Celeron E3500 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Celeron 5305U uses the Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Celeron E3500 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 5305U scores 1,307 against the Celeron E3500's 1,290 — a 1.3% lead for the Celeron 5305U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 480 vs 347, a 32.2% lead for the Celeron 5305U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 865 vs 624 (32.4% advantage for the Celeron 5305U). L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron 5305U vs 0 kB on the Celeron E3500.

Feature	Celeron 5305U	Celeron E3500
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz	2.7 GHz+17%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	2.7 GHz+17%
L3 Cache	2 MB	0 kB
L2 Cache	—	1 MB (total)
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake-U (2019−2020)	Wolfdale (2008−2010)
PassMark	1,307+1%	1,290
Geekbench 6 Single	480+38%	347
Geekbench 6 Multi	865+39%	624

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron 5305U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Celeron E3500 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Celeron 5305U versus DDR3-1066 on the Celeron E3500 — the Celeron 5305U supports 125.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron 5305U supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Celeron 5305U) vs 0 (Celeron E3500) — the Celeron 5305U offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Comet Lake-U (Celeron 5305U) and G31,G41,P45 (Celeron E3500).

Feature	Celeron 5305U	Celeron E3500
Socket	FCBGA1528	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+125%	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+700%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12	0

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Celeron 5305U) vs VT-x (Celeron E3500). The Celeron 5305U includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics (Comet Lake)), while the Celeron E3500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 5305U targets Budget, Celeron E3500 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 5305U rivals Pentium Gold 6405U; Celeron E3500 rivals Pentium E5200.