Celeron J1850 vs Core i3-330M

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 J1850 vs Core i3-330M 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 J1850 vs Core i3-330M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron J1850

2013

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 512W, a 510W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (180 vs 317).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (450 vs 689).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $82 MSRP, while Core i3-330M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i3-330M

2010

Why buy it

✅+76.1% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅300% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌25500% higher power demand at 512W vs 2W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-330M better than Celeron J1850?

Yes. Core i3-330M is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 53.1% 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, Core i3-330M is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.1% 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 i3-330M is the stronger fit. You are getting 53.1% 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 i3-330M is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i3-330M comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $82 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron J1850 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 0.1% in the shared gaming data.

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

Celeron J1850 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 J1850 vs Core i3-330M Technical Specifications

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

Celeron J1850

The Celeron J1850 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Bay Trail-D (2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,035 points. Launch price was $82.

Core i3-330M

The Core i3-330M 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 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 0.13 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 1,032 points. Launch price was $49.

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Processing Power

The Celeron J1850 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-330M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Celeron J1850 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Celeron J1850 versus 0.13 GHz on the Core i3-330M — a 175.6% clock advantage for the Celeron J1850 (base: 2 GHz vs 2.13 GHz). The Celeron J1850 uses the Bay Trail-D (2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i3-330M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron J1850 scores 1,035 against the Core i3-330M's 1,032 — a 0.3% lead for the Celeron J1850. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 180 vs 317, a 55.1% lead for the Core i3-330M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 450 vs 689 (42% advantage for the Core i3-330M). L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache on the Celeron J1850 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-330M.

Feature	Celeron J1850	Core i3-330M
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2 GHz+1438%	0.13 GHz
Base Clock	2 GHz	2.13 GHz+6%
L3 Cache	2 MB L2 Cache	3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	2 MB+700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Bay Trail-D (2013)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,035	1,032
Geekbench 6 Single	180	317+76%
Geekbench 6 Multi	450	689+53%

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron J1850 uses the FCBGA1170 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-330M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1333 on the Celeron J1850 versus DDR3-1066 on the Core i3-330M — the Celeron J1850 supports 25% 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: 4 (Celeron J1850) vs 16 (Core i3-330M) — the Core i3-330M offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: N/A (SoC) (Celeron J1850) and HM55,PM55,QM57 (Core i3-330M).

Feature	Celeron J1850	Core i3-330M
Socket	FCBGA1170	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1333+25%	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	4	16+300%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron J1850) vs VT-x / EPT (Core i3-330M). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics (Bay Trail) (Celeron J1850) and Intel HD Graphics (Arrandale) (Core i3-330M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron J1850 targets Low Power, Core i3-330M targets Legacy Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron J1850 rivals Pentium J2900; Core i3-330M rivals AMD Athlon II P320.

Feature	Celeron J1850	Core i3-330M
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics (Bay Trail)	Intel HD Graphics (Arrandale)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x / EPT
Target Use	Low Power	Legacy Budget