Celeron J3455 vs Core i3-5020U

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 J3455 vs Core i3-5020U 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 J3455 vs Core i3-5020U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron J3455

2016

Why buy it

✅Draws 10W instead of 512W, a 502W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (450 vs 600).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (850 vs 1,200).

Core i3-5020U

2015

Why buy it

✅+33.3% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅100% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 6) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌5020% higher power demand at 512W vs 10W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-5020U better than Celeron J3455?

Yes. Core i3-5020U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 41.2% 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 i3-5020U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.3% 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 i3-5020U is the stronger fit. You are getting 41.2% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-5020U still makes the most sense overall. Core i3-5020U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Celeron J3455 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron J3455 vs Core i3-5020U Technical Specifications

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

Celeron J3455

The Celeron J3455 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 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1296. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L/LPDDR3 up to 1866 MT/s; LPDDR4 up to 2400 MT/s. Passmark benchmark score: 2,247 points. Launch price was $107.

Core i3-5020U

The Core i3-5020U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,232 points. Launch price was $281.

⚡

Processing Power

The Celeron J3455 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-5020U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Celeron J3455 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Celeron J3455 versus 2.2 GHz on the Core i3-5020U — a 4.4% clock advantage for the Celeron J3455 (base: 1.5 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Celeron J3455 uses the Apollo Lake (2014−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-5020U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron J3455 scores 2,247 against the Core i3-5020U's 2,232 — a 0.7% lead for the Celeron J3455. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 450 vs 600, a 28.6% lead for the Core i3-5020U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 850 vs 1,200 (34.1% advantage for the Core i3-5020U). L3 cache: 0 kB on the Celeron J3455 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-5020U.

Feature	Celeron J3455	Core i3-5020U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz+5%	2.2 GHz
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	2.2 GHz+47%
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB	256K (per core)+12700%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Apollo Lake (2014−2016)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	2,247	2,232
Geekbench 6 Single	450	600+33%
Geekbench 6 Multi	850	1,200+41%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron J3455 uses the FCBGA1296 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-5020U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Celeron J3455 versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i3-5020U — the Celeron J3455 supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-5020U supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 6 (Celeron J3455) vs 12 (Core i3-5020U) — the Core i3-5020U offers 6 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: N/A (SoC) (Celeron J3455) and Broadwell-U (Core i3-5020U).

Feature	Celeron J3455	Core i3-5020U
Socket	FCBGA1296	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+50%	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	16 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	6	12+100%

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron J3455) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-5020U). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 500 (Celeron J3455) and Intel HD Graphics 5500 (Core i3-5020U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron J3455 targets Low Power, Core i3-5020U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Celeron J3455 rivals Pentium J4205.

Feature	Celeron J3455	Core i3-5020U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 500	Intel HD Graphics 5500
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Low Power	Mainstream Laptop