Celeron 887 vs Core i3-4030U

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 887 vs Core i3-4030U 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 887 vs Core i3-4030U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron 887

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $195 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
✅Delivers 226.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 21.8 vs 6.7 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
✅Draws 17W instead of 512W, a 495W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

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

Core i3-4030U

2014

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,876 vs 1,877).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.7 vs 21.8 PassMark/$ ($281 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
❌2911.8% higher power demand at 512W vs 17W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron 887 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron 887 better than Core i3-4030U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-4030U is ahead with a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron 887 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Core i3-4030U also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron 887 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron 887 is the better buy right now. Celeron 887 comes in $195 cheaper on MSRP at $86 MSRP versus $281 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i3-4030U is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 226.9% better value on MSRP (21.8 vs 6.7 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i3-4030U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2012) and 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron 887 vs Core i3-4030U Technical Specifications

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

Celeron 887

The Celeron 887 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.5 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: 1,877 points. Launch price was $86.

Core i3-4030U

The Core i3-4030U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 April 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,876 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

The Celeron 887 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-4030U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.5 GHz on the Celeron 887 versus 1.9 GHz on the Core i3-4030U — a 23.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-4030U (base: 1.5 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Celeron 887 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-4030U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 887 scores 1,877 against the Core i3-4030U's 1,876 — a 0.1% lead for the Celeron 887. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron 887 vs 3 MB on the Core i3-4030U.

Feature	Celeron 887	Core i3-4030U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.5 GHz	1.9 GHz+27%
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	1.9 GHz+27%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	3 MB+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	1,877	1,876
Geekbench 6 Single	233	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	415	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron 887 uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-4030U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron 887	Core i3-4030U
Socket	BGA1023	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Celeron 887) / not specified (Core i3-4030U). The Celeron 887 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)), while the Core i3-4030U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 887 targets Laptop. Direct competitor: Celeron 887 rivals Pentium 967.

Feature	Celeron 887	Core i3-4030U
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Laptop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron 887 was priced at $86, while the Core i3-4030U came in at $281. On launch pricing ($86 vs $281), Celeron 887 was $195 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron 887 delivers 21.8 pts/$ vs 6.7 pts/$ for the Core i3-4030U — making the Celeron 887 the 106.3% better value option.

Feature	Celeron 887	Core i3-4030U
MSRP	$86-69%	$281
Performance per Dollar	21.8+225%	6.7
Release Date	2012	2014

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