Celeron B815 vs Core i3-3240T

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 B815 vs Core i3-3240T 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 B815 vs Core i3-3240T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron B815

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $31 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).
✅Delivers 37.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 24.3 vs 17.8 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge), while Core i3-3240T needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

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

Core i3-3240T

2012

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,078 vs 2,093).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 17.8 vs 24.3 PassMark/$ ($117 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron B815 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron B815 better than Core i3-3240T?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-3240T is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron B815 pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark. Core i3-3240T 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 B815 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron B815 is the better buy right now. Celeron B815 comes in $31 cheaper on MSRP at $86 MSRP versus $117 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i3-3240T is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 37.0% better value on MSRP (24.3 vs 17.8 PassMark/$), 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 i3-3240T is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Celeron B815 vs Core i3-3240T Technical Specifications

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

Celeron B815

The Celeron B815 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 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.6 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: 2,093 points. Launch price was $86.

Core i3-3240T

The Core i3-3240T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,078 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Celeron B815 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-3240T's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.6 GHz on the Celeron B815 versus 3 GHz on the Core i3-3240T — a 60.9% clock advantage for the Core i3-3240T (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Celeron B815 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-3240T uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron B815 scores 2,093 against the Core i3-3240T's 2,078 — a 0.7% lead for the Celeron B815. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron B815 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3240T.

Feature	Celeron B815	Core i3-3240T
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.6 GHz	3 GHz+87%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2.9 GHz+81%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,093	2,078

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron B815 uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-3240T uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron B815	Core i3-3240T
Socket	PGA988	LGA1155
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 B815) / not specified (Core i3-3240T). The Celeron B815 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)), while the Core i3-3240T requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron B815 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron B815 rivals Pentium 967.

Feature	Celeron B815	Core i3-3240T
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 B815 was priced at $86, while the Core i3-3240T came in at $117. On launch pricing ($86 vs $117), Celeron B815 was $31 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron B815 delivers 24.3 pts/$ vs 17.8 pts/$ for the Core i3-3240T — making the Celeron B815 the 31.2% better value option.

Feature	Celeron B815	Core i3-3240T
MSRP	$86-26%	$117
Performance per Dollar	24.3+37%	17.8
Release Date	2012	2012

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