Celeron B720 vs Celeron U3600

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 U3600 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 U3600: 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

✅Better for gaming: +6.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $64 less on MSRP ($70 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
✅Delivers 103.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 9.5 vs 4.7 PassMark/$ ($70 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge), while Celeron U3600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (1.5 MB vs 2 MB).

Celeron U3600

2011

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (2 MB vs 1.5 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Celeron B720 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (625 vs 665).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 4.7 vs 9.5 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $70 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron B720 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron B720 better than Celeron U3600?

Yes. Celeron B720 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 6.4% 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 B720 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.3% 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 B720 is the stronger fit. You are getting 6.4% better PassMark, backed by 1 cores and 1 threads.

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

Celeron B720 is the better buy right now. Celeron B720 comes in $64 cheaper on MSRP at $70 MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 103.7% better value on MSRP (9.5 vs 4.7 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Celeron B720 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 1 cores / 1 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron B720 vs Celeron U3600 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 U3600

The Celeron U3600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Westmere (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 0.1 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800. Passmark benchmark score: 625 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Celeron B720 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Celeron U3600 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Celeron U3600 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 1.7 GHz on the Celeron B720 versus 0.1 GHz on the Celeron U3600 — a 177.8% clock advantage for the Celeron B720 (base: 1.7 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The Celeron B720 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Celeron U3600 uses Westmere (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron B720 scores 665 against the Celeron U3600's 625 — a 6.2% lead for the Celeron B720. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (total) on the Celeron B720 vs 2 MB on the Celeron U3600.

Feature	Celeron B720	Celeron U3600
Cores / Threads	1 / 1	2 / 2+100%
Boost Clock	1.7 GHz+1600%	0.1 GHz
Base Clock	1.7 GHz+42%	1.2 GHz
L3 Cache	1.5 MB (total)	2 MB+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Westmere (2010−2011)
PassMark	665+6%	625

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron B720 uses the G2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron U3600 uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron B720	Celeron U3600
Socket	G2	BGA1288
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
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 B720) / not specified (Celeron U3600). The Celeron B720 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)), while the Celeron U3600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron B720 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron B720 rivals Pentium 967.

Feature	Celeron B720	Celeron U3600
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Budget	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron B720 was priced at $70, while the Celeron U3600 came in at $134. On launch pricing ($70 vs $134), Celeron B720 was $64 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron B720 delivers 9.5 pts/$ vs 4.7 pts/$ for the Celeron U3600 — making the Celeron B720 the 68.3% better value option.

Feature	Celeron B720	Celeron U3600
MSRP	$70-48%	$134
Performance per Dollar	9.5+102%	4.7
Release Date	2012	2011

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