Celeron 5305U vs Core i3-330UM

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 Core i3-330UM 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 Core i3-330UM: 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

✅Better for gaming: +3.2% higher average FPS across 34 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 15W instead of 512W, a 497W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).

Core i3-330UM

2010

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Celeron 5305U across 34 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (600 vs 865).
❌3313.3% higher power demand at 512W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron 5305U better than Core i3-330UM?

Yes. Celeron 5305U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.2% average FPS lead across 34 shared CPU game tests in our data, 44.2% better Geekbench multi-core, 0.8% 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 3.2% 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 44.2% 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 still makes the most sense overall. Celeron 5305U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.2% average FPS lead across 34 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron 5305U vs Core i3-330UM 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.

Core i3-330UM

The Core i3-330UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 0.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,297 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Celeron 5305U packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-330UM's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Celeron 5305U versus 0.1 GHz on the Core i3-330UM — a 183.3% clock advantage for the Celeron 5305U (base: 2.3 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The Celeron 5305U uses the Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-330UM uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 5305U scores 1,307 against the Core i3-330UM's 1,297 — a 0.8% lead for the Celeron 5305U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 480 vs 300, a 46.2% lead for the Celeron 5305U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 865 vs 600 (36.2% advantage for the Celeron 5305U). L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron 5305U vs 3 MB on the Core i3-330UM.

Feature	Celeron 5305U	Core i3-330UM
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz+2200%	0.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.3 GHz+92%	1.2 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB	3 MB+50%
L2 Cache	—	512 kB
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake-U (2019−2020)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,307	1,297
Geekbench 6 Single	480+60%	300
Geekbench 6 Multi	865+44%	600

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron 5305U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-330UM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Celeron 5305U versus DDR3-800 on the Core i3-330UM — the Celeron 5305U supports 200% 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 16 (Core i3-330UM) — the Core i3-330UM offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Comet Lake-U (Celeron 5305U) and HM55 (Core i3-330UM).

Feature	Celeron 5305U	Core i3-330UM
Socket	FCBGA1528	BGA1288
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+200%	DDR3-800
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+700%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12	16+33%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics (Comet Lake) (Celeron 5305U) and Intel HD Graphics (Core i3-330UM) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 5305U targets Budget, Core i3-330UM targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Celeron 5305U rivals Pentium Gold 6405U; Core i3-330UM rivals Pentium SU7300.

Feature	Celeron 5305U	Core i3-330UM
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics (Comet Lake)	Intel HD Graphics
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Budget	Legacy Laptop