Celeron J3355 vs Core i5-430M

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 J3355 vs Core i5-430M 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 J3355 vs Core i5-430M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron J3355

2016

Why buy it

✅+28.6% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 10W instead of 35W, a 25W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i5-430M

2010

Why buy it

✅166.7% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 6) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (350 vs 450).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (750 vs 850).
❌250% higher power demand at 35W vs 10W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron J3355 better than Core i5-430M?

Yes. Celeron J3355 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 13.3% better Geekbench multi-core, 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 J3355 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.7% 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, Celeron J3355 is the stronger fit. You are getting 13.3% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron J3355 still makes the most sense overall. Celeron J3355 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Celeron J3355 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 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 J3355 vs Core i5-430M Technical Specifications

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

Celeron J3355

The Celeron J3355 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Apollo Lake (2014−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1296. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,203 points. Launch price was $107.

Core i5-430M

The Core i5-430M 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 2.53 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: 1,210 points. Launch price was $79.

⚡

Processing Power

The Celeron J3355 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-430M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Celeron J3355 versus 2.53 GHz on the Core i5-430M — a 1.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-430M (base: 2 GHz vs 2.26 GHz). The Celeron J3355 uses the Apollo Lake (2014−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-430M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron J3355 scores 1,203 against the Core i5-430M's 1,210 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-430M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 450 vs 350, a 25% lead for the Celeron J3355 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 850 vs 750 (12.5% advantage for the Celeron J3355). L3 cache: 0 kB on the Celeron J3355 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-430M.

Feature	Celeron J3355	Core i5-430M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz	2.53 GHz+1%
Base Clock	2 GHz	2.26 GHz+13%
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Apollo Lake (2014−2016)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,203	1,210
Geekbench 6 Single	450+29%	350
Geekbench 6 Multi	850+13%	750

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron J3355 uses the FCBGA1296 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-430M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Celeron J3355 versus DDR3-1066 on the Core i5-430M — the Celeron J3355 supports 125.1% 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: 6 (Celeron J3355) vs 16 (Core i5-430M) — the Core i5-430M offers 10 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: N/A (SoC) (Celeron J3355) and HM55 (Core i5-430M).

Feature	Celeron J3355	Core i5-430M
Socket	FCBGA1296	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+125%	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	6	16+167%

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron J3355) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-430M). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 500 (Celeron J3355) and Intel HD Graphics (Core i5-430M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron J3355 targets Low Power, Core i5-430M targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Celeron J3355 rivals Pentium J4205; Core i5-430M rivals AMD Turion II M620.

Feature	Celeron J3355	Core i5-430M
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 500	Intel HD Graphics
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Low Power	Performance Laptop