Celeron B710 vs Core i3-2130

Intel

Celeron B710

1 Cores1 Thrd35 WWMax: 1.6 GHz2011
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i3-2130

2 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2011
Similar parts
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Celeron B710 vs Core i3-2130 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 B710 vs Core i3-2130 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 B710 vs Core i3-2130: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron B710

2011

Why buy it

  • Costs $52 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).
  • Delivers 59.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 23.8 vs 15.0 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).
  • Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-2130 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (2,051 vs 2,067).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (1.5 MB vs 3 MB).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-2130.

Core i3-2130

2011

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +3.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +100% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 1.5 MB).
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Celeron B710.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.0 vs 23.8 PassMark/$ ($138 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
  • 85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-2130 better than Celeron B710?
Yes. Core i3-2130 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.8% 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, Core i3-2130 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.1% 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, Core i3-2130 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 1.5 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i3-2130 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-2130 comes in 60.5% more expensive on MSRP at $138 MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron B710 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 59.2% better value on paper (23.8 vs 15.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA988.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i3-2130 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 100% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 1.5 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 1/1. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron B710 vs Core i3-2130 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Celeron B710

The Celeron B710 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,051 points. Launch price was $70.

Intel

Core i3-2130

The Core i3-2130 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,067 points. Launch price was $123.

Processing Power

The Celeron B710 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Core i3-2130 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i3-2130 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 1.6 GHz on the Celeron B710 versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i3-2130 — a 72% clock advantage for the Core i3-2130 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). Both are built on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture using a 32 nm process. In PassMark, the Celeron B710 scores 2,051 against the Core i3-2130's 2,067 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i3-2130. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 231 vs 505, a 74.5% lead for the Core i3-2130 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (total) on the Celeron B710 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2130.

FeatureCeleron B710Core i3-2130
Cores / Threads
1 / 1
2 / 4+100%
Boost Clock
1.6 GHz
3.4 GHz+112%
Base Clock
1.6 GHz
3.4 GHz+112%
L3 Cache
1.5 MB (total)
3 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
256 kB (per core)
Process
32 nm
32 nm
Architecture
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark
2,051
2,067
Geekbench 6 Single
231
505+119%
Geekbench 6 Multi
196
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Memory & Platform

The Celeron B710 uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-2130 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Core i3-2130 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67 (Celeron B710) and H61,B65,H67,P67,Z68,Q67,Q75,H77,Z75,Z77 (Core i3-2130).

FeatureCeleron B710Core i3-2130
Socket
PGA988
LGA1155
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333
DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
32 GB+100%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
16
16
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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron B710) vs VT-x, EPT (Core i3-2130). Both include integrated graphics Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge) (Celeron B710) and HD Graphics 2000 (Core i3-2130) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron B710 targets Laptop, Core i3-2130 targets Mainstream Desktop. Direct competitor: Celeron B710 rivals Pentium 967; Core i3-2130 rivals Pentium G860.

FeatureCeleron B710Core i3-2130
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)
HD Graphics 2000
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x
VT-x, EPT
Target Use
Laptop
Mainstream Desktop
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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron B710 was priced at $86, while the Core i3-2130 came in at $138. On launch pricing ($86 vs $138), Celeron B710 was $52 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron B710 delivers 23.8 pts/$ vs 15.0 pts/$ for the Core i3-2130 — making the Celeron B710 the 45.7% better value option.

FeatureCeleron B710Core i3-2130
MSRP
$86-38%
$138
Performance per Dollar
23.8+59%
15.0
Release Date
2011
2011

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