Celeron M 560 vs Core i3-2120

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 M 560 vs Core i3-2120 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 M 560 vs Core i3-2120: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron M 560

2008

Why buy it

✅+1.5% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $52 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).
✅Delivers 62.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 23.3 vs 14.3 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).
✅Draws 1W instead of 65W, a 64W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-2120 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-2120.

Core i3-2120

2011

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 2000, while Celeron M 560 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Celeron M 560.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,979 vs 2,008).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.3 vs 23.3 PassMark/$ ($138 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
❌6400% higher power demand at 65W vs 1W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron M 560 better than Core i3-2120?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-2120 is ahead with a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron M 560 pulls ahead with 1.5% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron M 560 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 1 cores and 1 threads.

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

Celeron M 560 is the better buy right now. Celeron M 560 comes in $52 cheaper on MSRP at $86 MSRP versus $138 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i3-2120 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 62.8% better value on MSRP (23.3 vs 14.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i3-2120 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2008). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron M 560 vs Core i3-2120 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron M 560

The Celeron M 560 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Merom (2006−2008) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 2.13 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 2,008 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i3-2120

The Core i3-2120 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,979 points. Launch price was $95.

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Processing Power

The Celeron M 560 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Core i3-2120 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i3-2120 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.13 GHz on the Celeron M 560 versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i3-2120 — a 43.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-2120. The Celeron M 560 uses the Merom (2006−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i3-2120 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron M 560 scores 2,008 against the Core i3-2120's 1,979 — a 1.5% lead for the Celeron M 560.

Feature	Celeron M 560	Core i3-2120
Cores / Threads	1 / 1	2 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.13 GHz	3.3 GHz+55%
Base Clock	—	3.3 GHz
L3 Cache	—	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	65 nm	32 nm-51%
Architecture	Merom (2006−2008)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	2,008+1%	1,979
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	1,073
Geekbench 6 Single	—	534
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,140

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron M 560 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i3-2120 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 667 on the Celeron M 560 versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i3-2120 — the Core i3-2120 supports 99.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-2120 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Celeron M 560) vs 16 (Core i3-2120) — the Core i3-2120 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: GL960,GM965 (Celeron M 560) and H61,H67,P67,Z68,Q65,Q67,B75,H77,Q75,Q77,Z75,Z77 (Core i3-2120).

Feature	Celeron M 560	Core i3-2120
Socket	PGA478	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	667	DDR3-1333+100%
Max RAM Capacity	4 GB	32 GB+700%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: false (Celeron M 560) vs Yes (Core i3-2120). The Core i3-2120 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 2000), while the Celeron M 560 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Celeron M 560 rivals Mobile Sempron 3600+.

Feature	Celeron M 560	Core i3-2120
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	None	Intel HD Graphics 2000
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	false	Yes

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron M 560 was priced at $86, while the Core i3-2120 came in at $138. On launch pricing ($86 vs $138), Celeron M 560 was $52 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron M 560 delivers 23.3 pts/$ vs 14.3 pts/$ for the Core i3-2120 — making the Celeron M 560 the 47.8% better value option.

Feature	Celeron M 560	Core i3-2120
MSRP	$86-38%	$138
Performance per Dollar	23.3+63%	14.3
Release Date	2008	2011

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