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 i7-660UM 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 i7-660UM: 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

✅+38.8% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Costs $255 less on MSRP ($62 MSRP vs $317 MSRP).
✅Delivers 415.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 20.8 vs 4.0 PassMark/$ ($62 MSRP vs $317 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌261.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 18W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-660UM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-660UM

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 18W instead of 65W, a 47W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics, while Celeron E3500 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (250 vs 347).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (600 vs 624).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 4.0 vs 20.8 PassMark/$ ($317 MSRP vs $62 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron E3500 better than Core i7-660UM?

Yes. Celeron E3500 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.7% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data, 4% better Geekbench multi-core, and 0.9% higher PassMark, 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 2.7% more average FPS across 49 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 $255 cheaper on MSRP at $62 MSRP versus $317 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.7% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 415.7% better value on MSRP (20.8 vs 4.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-660UM is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Celeron E3500 vs Core i7-660UM 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 i7-660UM

The Core i7-660UM 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 1.33 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800. Passmark benchmark score: 1,279 points. Launch price was $317.

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Processing Power

The Celeron E3500 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i7-660UM's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Celeron E3500 versus 2.4 GHz on the Core i7-660UM — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Celeron E3500 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 1.33 GHz). The Celeron E3500 uses the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i7-660UM uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron E3500 scores 1,290 against the Core i7-660UM's 1,279 — a 0.9% lead for the Celeron E3500. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 347 vs 250, a 32.5% 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 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-660UM.

Feature	Celeron E3500	Core i7-660UM
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz+13%	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+103%	1.33 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (total)+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Wolfdale (2008−2010)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,290	1,279
Geekbench 6 Single	347+39%	250
Geekbench 6 Multi	624+4%	600

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron E3500 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i7-660UM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1066 memory speed. Both support up to 8 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Celeron E3500) vs 16 (Core i7-660UM) — the Core i7-660UM offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: G31,G41,P45 (Celeron E3500) and PM55,HM55,QM57,HM57 (Core i7-660UM).

Feature	Celeron E3500	Core i7-660UM
Socket	LGA775	BGA1288
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron E3500) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-660UM). The Core i7-660UM includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics), while the Celeron E3500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron E3500 targets Budget, Core i7-660UM targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron E3500 rivals Pentium E5200.

Feature	Celeron E3500	Core i7-660UM
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Budget	Budget

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron E3500 was priced at $62, while the Core i7-660UM came in at $317. On launch pricing ($62 vs $317), Celeron E3500 was $255 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron E3500 delivers 20.8 pts/$ vs 4.0 pts/$ for the Core i7-660UM — making the Celeron E3500 the 135% better value option.

Feature	Celeron E3500	Core i7-660UM
MSRP	$62-80%	$317
Performance per Dollar	20.8+420%	4.0
Release Date	2010	2010

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