Celeron Dual-Core T3500 vs Core i3-4012Y

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 Dual-Core T3500 vs Core i3-4012Y 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 Dual-Core T3500 vs Core i3-4012Y: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron Dual-Core T3500

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 1W instead of 512W, a 511W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,275 vs 1,278).
❌Launch MSRP is still $80 MSRP, while Core i3-4012Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-4012Y can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i3-4012Y

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4200, while Celeron Dual-Core T3500 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌51100% higher power demand at 512W vs 1W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron Dual-Core T3500 better than Core i3-4012Y?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron Dual-Core T3500 is ahead with a 0.9% average FPS lead across 17 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4012Y pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4012Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Celeron Dual-Core T3500 is the better buy right now. Celeron Dual-Core T3500 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $80 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.9% average FPS lead across 17 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i3-4012Y is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.2% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (15.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-4012Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron Dual-Core T3500 vs Core i3-4012Y Technical Specifications

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

Celeron Dual-Core T3500

The Celeron Dual-Core T3500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.1 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: P. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,275 points. Launch price was $80.

Core i3-4012Y

The Core i3-4012Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 11.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,278 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Celeron Dual-Core T3500 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-4012Y's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Celeron Dual-Core T3500 versus 1.5 GHz on the Core i3-4012Y — a 33.3% clock advantage for the Celeron Dual-Core T3500. The Celeron Dual-Core T3500 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-4012Y uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron Dual-Core T3500 scores 1,275 against the Core i3-4012Y's 1,278 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i3-4012Y.

Feature	Celeron Dual-Core T3500	Core i3-4012Y
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.1 GHz+40%	1.5 GHz
Base Clock	—	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	—	3 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB+100%	512 kB
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	1,275	1,278
Geekbench 6 Single	—	485
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	988

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron Dual-Core T3500 uses the P socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i3-4012Y uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 800 on the Celeron Dual-Core T3500 versus DDR3L-1600 / LPDDR3-1600 on the Core i3-4012Y — the Core i3-4012Y supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-4012Y 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: 0 (Celeron Dual-Core T3500) vs 12 (Core i3-4012Y) — the Core i3-4012Y offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: GL40,GM45,GM47 (Celeron Dual-Core T3500) and HM86,HM87,QM87 (Core i3-4012Y).

Feature	Celeron Dual-Core T3500	Core i3-4012Y
Socket	P	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	800	DDR3L-1600 / LPDDR3-1600+100%
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	16 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	12

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: false (Celeron Dual-Core T3500) vs VT-x / EPT (Core i3-4012Y). The Core i3-4012Y includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4200), while the Celeron Dual-Core T3500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron Dual-Core T3500 targets Budget, Core i3-4012Y targets Low Power. Direct competitor: Celeron Dual-Core T3500 rivals Pentium T4400.