Celeron 857 vs Celeron N3010

Intel

Celeron 857

2 Cores2 Thrd17 WWMax: 1.2 GHz2011
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Celeron N3010

2 Cores2 Thrd4 WWMax: 2.24 GHz2016
Similar parts
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Celeron 857 vs Celeron N3010 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 N3010 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 N3010: 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

  • 300% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (705 vs 735).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.3 vs 6.9 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $107 MSRP).
  • 325% higher power demand at 17W vs 4W.

Celeron N3010

2016

Why buy it

  • Costs $27 less on MSRP ($107 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
  • Delivers 30.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 6.9 vs 5.3 PassMark/$ ($107 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
  • Draws 4W instead of 17W, a 13W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron N3010 better than Celeron 857?
Yes. Celeron N3010 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 4.3% better 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 N3010 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.4% 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 N3010 is the stronger fit. You are getting 4.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Celeron N3010 is the better buy right now. Celeron N3010 comes in $27 cheaper on MSRP at $107 MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 30.6% better value on MSRP (6.9 vs 5.3 PassMark/$), 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 N3010 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2011) 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 857 vs Celeron N3010 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 N3010

The Celeron N3010 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Airmont (2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.04 GHz, with boost up to 2.24 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 4 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 735 points. Launch price was $107.

Processing Power

Both the Celeron 857 and Celeron N3010 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.2 GHz on the Celeron 857 versus 2.24 GHz on the Celeron N3010 — a 60.5% clock advantage for the Celeron N3010 (base: 1.2 GHz vs 1.04 GHz). The Celeron 857 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Celeron N3010 uses Airmont (2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 857 scores 705 against the Celeron N3010's 735 — a 4.2% lead for the Celeron N3010. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron 857 vs 0 kB on the Celeron N3010.

FeatureCeleron 857Celeron N3010
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 2
Boost Clock
1.2 GHz
2.24 GHz+87%
Base Clock
1.2 GHz+15%
1.04 GHz
L3 Cache
2 MB (total)
0 kB
L2 Cache
256K (per core)+25500%
1 MB
Process
32 nm
14 nm-56%
Architecture
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Airmont (2016)
PassMark
705
735+4%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron 857 uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron N3010 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Celeron 857 versus 1600 on the Celeron N3010 — the Celeron N3010 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron 857 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Celeron 857) vs 4 (Celeron N3010) — the Celeron 857 offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67 (Celeron 857) and Braswell (Celeron N3010).

FeatureCeleron 857Celeron N3010
Socket
BGA1023
FCBGA1170
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333
1600+20%
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB+100%
8 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
16+300%
4
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron 857) vs true (Celeron N3010). Both include integrated graphics HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge) (Celeron 857) and Intel HD Graphics 400 (Celeron N3010) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 857 targets Budget, Celeron N3010 targets Budget Mobile. Direct competitor: Celeron 857 rivals Pentium 967.

FeatureCeleron 857Celeron N3010
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)
Intel HD Graphics 400
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x
true
Target Use
Budget
Budget Mobile
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron 857 was priced at $134, while the Celeron N3010 came in at $107. On launch pricing ($134 vs $107), Celeron N3010 was $27 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron 857 delivers 5.3 pts/$ vs 6.9 pts/$ for the Celeron N3010 — making the Celeron N3010 the 26.5% better value option.

FeatureCeleron 857Celeron N3010
MSRP
$134
$107-20%
Performance per Dollar
5.3
6.9+30%
Release Date
2011
2016

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