Celeron B720 vs Celeron N3000

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 B720 vs Celeron N3000 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 B720 vs Celeron N3000: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron B720

2012

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Celeron N3000 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (665 vs 705).
❌Launch MSRP is still $70 MSRP, while Celeron N3000 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Celeron N3000

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron N3000 better than Celeron B720?

Yes. Celeron N3000 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 6% 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 N3000 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.3% 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 N3000 is the stronger fit. You are getting 6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron N3000 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Celeron N3000 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $70 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron B720 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (9.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 N3000 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 1/1. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron B720 vs Celeron N3000 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Celeron N3000

The Celeron N3000 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Braswell (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.04 GHz, with boost up to 2.08 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: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 705 points. Launch price was $107.

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Processing Power

The Celeron B720 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Celeron N3000 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Celeron N3000 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 1.7 GHz on the Celeron B720 versus 2.08 GHz on the Celeron N3000 — a 20.1% clock advantage for the Celeron N3000 (base: 1.7 GHz vs 1.04 GHz). The Celeron B720 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Celeron N3000 uses Braswell (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron B720 scores 665 against the Celeron N3000's 705 — a 5.8% lead for the Celeron N3000. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (total) on the Celeron B720 vs 0 kB on the Celeron N3000.

Feature	Celeron B720	Celeron N3000
Cores / Threads	1 / 1	2 / 2+100%
Boost Clock	1.7 GHz	2.08 GHz+22%
Base Clock	1.7 GHz+63%	1.04 GHz
L3 Cache	1.5 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1 MB+300%
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Braswell (2015−2016)
PassMark	665	705+6%
Geekbench 6 Single	—	160
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	290

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron B720 uses the G2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron N3000 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Celeron B720 versus DDR3L-1600 on the Celeron N3000 — the Celeron N3000 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron B720 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 B720) vs 4 (Celeron N3000) — the Celeron B720 offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67,QM67,QM77 (Celeron B720) and SoC (Celeron N3000).

Feature	Celeron B720	Celeron N3000
Socket	G2	FCBGA1170
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR3L-1600+20%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+100%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16+300%	4

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron B720) vs VT-x, VT-d (Celeron N3000). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge) (Celeron B720) and Intel HD Graphics 400 (Celeron N3000) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron B720 targets Budget, Celeron N3000 targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: Celeron B720 rivals Pentium 967; Celeron N3000 rivals AMD E2-7110.

Feature	Celeron B720	Celeron N3000
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)	Intel HD Graphics 400
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Budget	Budget Laptop