Celeron G1830 vs Core i3-540

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 G1830 vs Core i3-540 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 G1830 vs Core i3-540: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G1830

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $81 less on MSRP ($52 MSRP vs $133 MSRP).
✅Delivers 156.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 30.0 vs 11.7 PassMark/$ ($52 MSRP vs $133 MSRP).
✅Draws 54W instead of 73W, a 19W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics (Haswell), while Core i3-540 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 4 MB).

Core i3-540

2010

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,554 vs 1,560).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.7 vs 30.0 PassMark/$ ($133 MSRP vs $52 MSRP).
❌35.2% higher power demand at 73W vs 54W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron G1830 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G1830 better than Core i3-540?

Yes. Celeron G1830 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 48 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% better 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, Celeron G1830 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.7% more average FPS across 48 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G1830 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron G1830 is the better buy right now. Celeron G1830 comes in $81 cheaper on MSRP at $52 MSRP versus $133 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 48 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 156.8% better value on MSRP (30.0 vs 11.7 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Celeron G1830 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron G1830 vs Core i3-540 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G1830

The Celeron G1830 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 December 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 53 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,560 points. Launch price was $85.

Core i3-540

The Core i3-540 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 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.06 GHz, with boost up to 0.07 GHz. L3 cache: 4 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: 1,554 points. Launch price was $45.

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Processing Power

The Celeron G1830 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-540's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Celeron G1830 versus 0.07 GHz on the Core i3-540 — a 190.2% clock advantage for the Celeron G1830 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.06 GHz). The Celeron G1830 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i3-540 uses Clarkdale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G1830 scores 1,560 against the Core i3-540's 1,554 — a 0.4% lead for the Celeron G1830. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron G1830 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-540.

Feature	Celeron G1830	Core i3-540
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+3900%	0.07 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	3.06 GHz+9%
L3 Cache	2 MB	4 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Clarkdale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,560	1,554
Geekbench 6 Single	496	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	910	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron G1830 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-540 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron G1830	Core i3-540
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1156
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Celeron G1830) / not specified (Core i3-540). The Celeron G1830 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Haswell)), while the Core i3-540 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G1830 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron G1830 rivals Pentium G3220.

Feature	Celeron G1830	Core i3-540
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics (Haswell)	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Budget	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G1830 was priced at $52, while the Core i3-540 came in at $133. On launch pricing ($52 vs $133), Celeron G1830 was $81 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G1830 delivers 30.0 pts/$ vs 11.7 pts/$ for the Core i3-540 — making the Celeron G1830 the 87.9% better value option.

Feature	Celeron G1830	Core i3-540
MSRP	$52-61%	$133
Performance per Dollar	30.0+156%	11.7
Release Date	2013	2010

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