Celeron G1101 vs Core i3-350M

CPU

GPU

Celeron G1101

2 Cores2 Thrd73 WWMax: 0.27 GHz2010

Buy on Amazon

Core i3-350M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 0.27 GHz2010

Buy on Amazon

Celeron G1101 vs Core i3-350M Performance Spectrum

Celeron G1101

2 / 2

1,086

0.0%

1,088

+0.2%

About PassMark

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 G1101 vs Core i3-350M 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 G1101 vs Core i3-350M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G1101

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $80 less on MSRP ($50 MSRP vs $130 MSRP).
✅Delivers 159.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 21.7 vs 8.4 PassMark/$ ($50 MSRP vs $130 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Intel Stock), unlike Core i3-350M.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (250 vs 280).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (450 vs 650).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌108.6% higher power demand at 73W vs 35W.

Core i3-350M

2010

Why buy it

✅+12% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 73W, a 38W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.4 vs 21.7 PassMark/$ ($130 MSRP vs $50 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Celeron G1101.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-350M better than Celeron G1101?

Yes. Core i3-350M is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 44.4% better Geekbench multi-core, 0.2% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-350M is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-350M is the stronger fit. You are getting 44.4% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Core i3-350M is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-350M comes in 160.0% more expensive on MSRP at $130 MSRP versus $50 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron G1101 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 159.5% better value on paper (21.7 vs 8.4 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1156.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-350M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB) 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 G1101 vs Core i3-350M Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G1101

The Celeron G1101 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 0.27 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,086 points. Launch price was $85.

Core i3-350M

The Core i3-350M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 0.27 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: 1,088 points. Launch price was $130.

⚡

Processing Power

The Celeron G1101 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-350M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 0.27 GHz on the Celeron G1101 versus 0.27 GHz on the Core i3-350M — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.26 GHz vs 2.26 GHz). The Celeron G1101 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-350M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G1101 scores 1,086 against the Core i3-350M's 1,088 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i3-350M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 250 vs 280, a 11.3% lead for the Core i3-350M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 450 vs 650 (36.4% advantage for the Core i3-350M). L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron G1101 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-350M.

Feature	Celeron G1101	Core i3-350M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	0.27 GHz	0.27 GHz
Base Clock	2.26 GHz	2.26 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Clarkdale (2010−2011)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,086	1,088
Geekbench 6 Single	250	280+12%
Geekbench 6 Multi	450	650+44%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron G1101 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-350M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1066 memory speed. The Celeron G1101 supports up to 16.38 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 104.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H55,3420 (Celeron G1101) and HM55,HM57 (Core i3-350M).

Feature	Celeron G1101	Core i3-350M
Socket	LGA1156	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	16.38 GB+105%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G1101) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-350M). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Westmere) (Celeron G1101) and Intel HD Graphics (Core i3-350M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G1101 targets Desktop, Core i3-350M targets Entry Laptop. Direct competitor: Celeron G1101 rivals Pentium G6950; Core i3-350M rivals AMD Athlon II P320.

Feature	Celeron G1101	Core i3-350M
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)	Intel HD Graphics
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Desktop	Entry Laptop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G1101 was priced at $50, while the Core i3-350M came in at $130. On launch pricing ($50 vs $130), Celeron G1101 was $80 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G1101 delivers 21.7 pts/$ vs 8.4 pts/$ for the Core i3-350M — making the Celeron G1101 the 88.7% better value option.

Feature	Celeron G1101	Core i3-350M
MSRP	$50-62%	$130
Performance per Dollar	21.7+158%	8.4
Release Date	2010	2010

Search Celeron G1101 on Amazon

Search Core i3-350M on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.