Celeron 857 vs Celeron B720

Intel

Celeron 857

2 Cores2 Thrd17 WWMax: 1.2 GHz2011
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Celeron B720

1 Cores1 Thrd0 WWMax: 1.7 GHz2012
Similar parts
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Celeron 857 vs Celeron B720 Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 857 vs Celeron B720 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 857 vs Celeron B720: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron 857

2011

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +5.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (2 MB vs 1.5 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.3 vs 9.5 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $70 MSRP).

Celeron B720

2012

Why buy it

  • Costs $64 less on MSRP ($70 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
  • Delivers 80.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 9.5 vs 5.3 PassMark/$ ($70 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Celeron 857 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (665 vs 705).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (1.5 MB vs 2 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron 857 better than Celeron B720?
Yes. Celeron 857 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 6% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Celeron 857 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.9% 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 857 is the stronger fit. You are getting 6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (2 MB vs 1.5 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Celeron 857 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Celeron 857 comes in 91.4% more expensive on MSRP at $134 MSRP versus $70 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron B720 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 80.6% better value on paper (9.5 vs 5.3 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on G2.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Celeron B720 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron 857 vs Celeron B720 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Celeron 857

The Celeron 857 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 July 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 1.2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 705 points. Launch price was $134.

Intel

Celeron B720

The Celeron B720 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 1.7 GHz. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: G2. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 665 points. Launch price was $70.

Processing Power

The Celeron 857 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Celeron B720 offers 1 cores / 1 threads — the Celeron 857 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 1.2 GHz on the Celeron 857 versus 1.7 GHz on the Celeron B720 — a 34.5% clock advantage for the Celeron B720 (base: 1.2 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). Both are built on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture using a 32 nm process. In PassMark, the Celeron 857 scores 705 against the Celeron B720's 665 — a 5.8% lead for the Celeron 857. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron 857 vs 1.5 MB (total) on the Celeron B720.

FeatureCeleron 857Celeron B720
Cores / Threads
2 / 2+100%
1 / 1
Boost Clock
1.2 GHz
1.7 GHz+42%
Base Clock
1.2 GHz
1.7 GHz+42%
L3 Cache
2 MB (total)+33%
1.5 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
256 kB (per core)
Process
32 nm
32 nm
Architecture
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark
705+6%
665
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron 857 uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron B720 uses G2 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67 (Celeron 857) and HM65,HM67,QM67,QM77 (Celeron B720).

FeatureCeleron 857Celeron B720
Socket
BGA1023
G2
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333
DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
16
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x virtualization. Both include integrated graphics HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge) (Celeron 857) and HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge) (Celeron B720) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 857 targets Budget, Celeron B720 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 857 rivals Pentium 967; Celeron B720 rivals Pentium 967.

FeatureCeleron 857Celeron B720
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)
HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x
VT-x
Target Use
Budget
Budget
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron 857 was priced at $134, while the Celeron B720 came in at $70. On launch pricing ($134 vs $70), Celeron B720 was $64 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron 857 delivers 5.3 pts/$ vs 9.5 pts/$ for the Celeron B720 — making the Celeron B720 the 57.4% better value option.

FeatureCeleron 857Celeron B720
MSRP
$134
$70-48%
Performance per Dollar
5.3
9.5+79%
Release Date
2011
2012

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