Celeron E3400 vs Core i3-2328M

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 E3400 vs Core i3-2328M 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 E3400 vs Core i3-2328M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron E3400

2010

Why buy it

✅+5.5% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Core i3-2328M.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,220 vs 1,234).
❌Launch MSRP is still $53 MSRP, while Core i3-2328M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-2328M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i3-2328M

2012

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 3000, while Celeron E3400 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (329 vs 347).
❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Celeron E3400.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron E3400 better than Core i3-2328M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron E3400 is ahead with a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-2328M pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-2328M is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Celeron E3400 is the better buy right now. Celeron E3400 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $53 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i3-2328M is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.1% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (23.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-2328M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 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 E3400 vs Core i3-2328M Technical Specifications

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

Celeron E3400

The Celeron E3400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 17 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,220 points. Launch price was $76.

Core i3-2328M

The Core i3-2328M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 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: 1,234 points. Launch price was $225.

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Processing Power

The Celeron E3400 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-2328M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Celeron E3400 versus 2.2 GHz on the Core i3-2328M — a 16.7% clock advantage for the Celeron E3400 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Celeron E3400 uses the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-2328M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron E3400 scores 1,220 against the Core i3-2328M's 1,234 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i3-2328M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 347 vs 329, a 5.3% lead for the Celeron E3400 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Celeron E3400 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2328M.

Feature	Celeron E3400	Core i3-2328M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz+18%	2.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+18%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (total)	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Wolfdale (2008−2010)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,220	1,234+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	347+5%	329
Geekbench 6 Multi	624	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron E3400 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i3-2328M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1066 on the Celeron E3400 versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i3-2328M — the Core i3-2328M supports 25% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-2328M 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 E3400) vs 16 (Core i3-2328M) — the Core i3-2328M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: G31,G41,P35,P45 (Celeron E3400) and HM65,HM67,QM67,HM75,HM76,HM77 (Core i3-2328M).

Feature	Celeron E3400	Core i3-2328M
Socket	LGA775	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	1066	DDR3-1333+25%
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	16 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Celeron E3400) vs VT-x, EPT (Core i3-2328M). The Core i3-2328M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Celeron E3400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron E3400 targets Budget, Core i3-2328M targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: Celeron E3400 rivals Pentium E5200; Core i3-2328M rivals Pentium B980.