Celeron B730 vs Celeron B820

Intel

Celeron B730

1 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 1.8 GHz2012
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Celeron B820

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 1.7 GHz2012
Similar parts
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Celeron B730 vs Celeron B820 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 B730 vs Celeron B820 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 B730 vs Celeron B820: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron B730

2012

Why buy it

  • Costs $16 less on MSRP ($70 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
  • Delivers 14.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 10.2 vs 8.9 PassMark/$ ($70 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Celeron B820 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (715 vs 765).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (1.5 MB vs 2 MB).

Celeron B820

2012

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +5.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (2 MB vs 1.5 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.9 vs 10.2 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $70 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron B820 better than Celeron B730?
Yes. Celeron B820 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 7% 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 B820 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.5% 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 B820 is the stronger fit. You are getting 7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (2 MB vs 1.5 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Celeron B820 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Celeron B820 comes in 22.9% more expensive on MSRP at $86 MSRP versus $70 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron B730 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 14.8% better value on paper (10.2 vs 8.9 PassMark/$), 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 B820 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 33.3% larger total L3 cache (2 MB vs 1.5 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 1/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron B730 vs Celeron B820 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Celeron B730

The Celeron B730 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 July 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 1 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: G2. Thermal design power (TDP): 256 kB + 1.5 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 715 points. Launch price was $70.

Intel

Celeron B820

The Celeron B820 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 July 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 1.7 GHz. L3 cache: 2 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: 765 points. Launch price was $86.

Processing Power

The Celeron B730 packs 1 cores / 2 threads, while the Celeron B820 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Celeron B820 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 1.8 GHz on the Celeron B730 versus 1.7 GHz on the Celeron B820 — a 5.7% clock advantage for the Celeron B730. Both are built on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture using a 32 nm process. In PassMark, the Celeron B730 scores 715 against the Celeron B820's 765 — a 6.8% lead for the Celeron B820. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (total) on the Celeron B730 vs 2 MB (total) on the Celeron B820.

FeatureCeleron B730Celeron B820
Cores / Threads
1 / 2
2 / 2+100%
Boost Clock
1.8 GHz+6%
1.7 GHz
Base Clock
1.7 GHz
L3 Cache
1.5 MB (total)
2 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
256K (per core)
Process
32 nm
32 nm
Architecture
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark
715
765+7%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron B730 uses the G2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron B820 uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67,QM67,QM77 (Celeron B730) and HM65,HM67,QM67,QM77 (Celeron B820).

FeatureCeleron B730Celeron B820
Socket
G2
PGA988
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333
DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
16
16
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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x virtualization. Both include integrated graphics HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge) (Celeron B730) and HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge) (Celeron B820) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron B730 targets Budget, Celeron B820 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron B730 rivals Pentium 967; Celeron B820 rivals Pentium 967.

FeatureCeleron B730Celeron B820
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)
HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x
VT-x
Target Use
Budget
Budget
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron B730 was priced at $70, while the Celeron B820 came in at $86. On launch pricing ($70 vs $86), Celeron B730 was $16 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron B730 delivers 10.2 pts/$ vs 8.9 pts/$ for the Celeron B820 — making the Celeron B730 the 13.8% better value option.

FeatureCeleron B730Celeron B820
MSRP
$70-19%
$86
Performance per Dollar
10.2+15%
8.9
Release Date
2012
2012

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