Celeron J3455 vs Core i7-3555LE

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 i7-3555LE 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 i7-3555LE: 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

✅Better for gaming: +3.7% higher average FPS across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 10W instead of 25W, a 15W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (6 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 500, while Core i7-3555LE needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

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

Core i7-3555LE

2012

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Celeron J3455 across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,238 vs 2,247).
❌Launch MSRP is still $300 MSRP, while Celeron J3455 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌150% higher power demand at 25W vs 10W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron J3455 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron J3455 better than Core i7-3555LE?

Yes. Celeron J3455 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.7% average FPS lead across 49 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 J3455 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.7% more average FPS across 49 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron J3455 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Celeron J3455 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Celeron J3455 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $300 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.7% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-3555LE 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 3.7% in the shared gaming 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 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron J3455 vs Core i7-3555LE 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 i7-3555LE

The Core i7-3555LE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 2,238 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Celeron J3455 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-3555LE offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Celeron J3455 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Celeron J3455 versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i7-3555LE — a 32.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-3555LE (base: 1.5 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Celeron J3455 uses the Apollo Lake (2014−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-3555LE uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron J3455 scores 2,247 against the Core i7-3555LE's 2,238 — a 0.4% lead for the Celeron J3455. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Celeron J3455 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3555LE.

Feature	Celeron J3455	Core i7-3555LE
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz	3.2 GHz+39%
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	2.5 GHz+67%
L3 Cache	0 kB	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB+700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Apollo Lake (2014−2016)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,247	2,238
Geekbench 6 Single	450	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	850	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron J3455 uses the FCBGA1296 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3555LE uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron J3455	Core i7-3555LE
Socket	FCBGA1296	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	6	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Celeron J3455) / not specified (Core i7-3555LE). The Celeron J3455 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 500), while the Core i7-3555LE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron J3455 targets Low Power. Direct competitor: Celeron J3455 rivals Pentium J4205.