Celeron E3500 vs Core i3-330UM

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 E3500 vs Core i3-330UM 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 E3500 vs Core i3-330UM: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron E3500

2010

Why buy it

✅+15.7% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $62 MSRP, while Core i3-330UM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-330UM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i3-330UM

2010

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics, while Celeron E3500 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (300 vs 347).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (600 vs 624).
❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron E3500 better than Core i3-330UM?

Yes. Celeron E3500 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.4% average FPS lead across 46 shared CPU game tests in our data and 4% better Geekbench multi-core, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Celeron E3500 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.4% more average FPS across 46 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron E3500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 4% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron E3500 is the better buy right now. Celeron E3500 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $62 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.4% average FPS lead across 46 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (20.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-330UM is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Celeron E3500 vs Core i3-330UM Technical Specifications

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

Celeron E3500

The Celeron E3500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 August 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 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: 1,290 points. Launch price was $62.

Core i3-330UM

The Core i3-330UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 0.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,297 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Celeron E3500 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-330UM's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Celeron E3500 versus 0.1 GHz on the Core i3-330UM — a 185.7% clock advantage for the Celeron E3500 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The Celeron E3500 uses the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-330UM uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron E3500 scores 1,290 against the Core i3-330UM's 1,297 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i3-330UM. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 347 vs 300, a 14.5% lead for the Celeron E3500 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 624 vs 600 (3.9% advantage for the Celeron E3500). L3 cache: 0 kB on the Celeron E3500 vs 3 MB on the Core i3-330UM.

Feature	Celeron E3500	Core i3-330UM
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz+2600%	0.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+125%	1.2 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB (total)+100%	512 kB
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Wolfdale (2008−2010)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,290	1,297
Geekbench 6 Single	347+16%	300
Geekbench 6 Multi	624+4%	600

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron E3500 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i3-330UM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1066 on the Celeron E3500 versus DDR3-800 on the Core i3-330UM — the Celeron E3500 supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 8 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Celeron E3500) vs 16 (Core i3-330UM) — the Core i3-330UM offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: G31,G41,P45 (Celeron E3500) and HM55 (Core i3-330UM).

Feature	Celeron E3500	Core i3-330UM
Socket	LGA775	BGA1288
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066+33%	DDR3-800
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron E3500) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-330UM). The Core i3-330UM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Celeron E3500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron E3500 targets Budget, Core i3-330UM targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Celeron E3500 rivals Pentium E5200; Core i3-330UM rivals Pentium SU7300.