Celeron G1101 vs Pentium 3556U

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 Pentium 3556U 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 Pentium 3556U: 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

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 73W instead of 512W, a 439W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Westmere), while Pentium 3556U needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Intel Stock), unlike Pentium 3556U.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $50 MSRP, while Pentium 3556U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Pentium 3556U

2013

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,072 vs 1,086).
❌601.4% higher power demand at 512W vs 73W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron G1101 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Celeron G1101.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G1101 better than Pentium 3556U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium 3556U is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G1101 pulls ahead with 1.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G1101 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron G1101 is the better buy right now. Celeron G1101 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $50 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Pentium 3556U is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (21.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium 3556U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron G1101 vs Pentium 3556U 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.

Pentium 3556U

The Pentium 3556U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 1.7 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,072 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Celeron G1101 and Pentium 3556U share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 0.27 GHz on the Celeron G1101 versus 1.7 GHz on the Pentium 3556U — a 145.2% clock advantage for the Pentium 3556U (base: 2.26 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Celeron G1101 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium 3556U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G1101 scores 1,086 against the Pentium 3556U's 1,072 — a 1.3% lead for the Celeron G1101. Both processors carry 2 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Celeron G1101	Pentium 3556U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	0.27 GHz	1.7 GHz+530%
Base Clock	2.26 GHz+33%	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Clarkdale (2010−2011)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	1,086+1%	1,072
Geekbench 6 Single	250	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	450	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron G1101 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium 3556U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron G1101	Pentium 3556U
Socket	LGA1156	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	16.38 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Celeron G1101) / not specified (Pentium 3556U). The Celeron G1101 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)), while the Pentium 3556U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G1101 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Celeron G1101 rivals Pentium G6950.