Celeron M U3400
VS
Core i3-380M

Celeron M U3400 vs Core i3-380M

Intel

Celeron M U3400

2 Cores2 Thrd512 WWMax: 1.06 GHz2010
VS
Intel

Core i3-380M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 0.53 GHz2010

Performance Spectrum - CPU

About PassMark

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Celeron M U3400 is positioned at rank 998 and the Core i3-380M is on rank 11, so the Core i3-380M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Celeron M U3400

#986
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
2094%
#987
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
2064%
#988
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1894%
#989
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1886%
#990
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
1869%
#992
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1804%
#993
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1730%
#994
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1727%
#995
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1681%
#998
Celeron M U3400
MSRP: $86|Avg: $5
100%
#999
3015Ce
MSRP: $150|Avg: $40
100%
#1000
Core i7-4700MQ
MSRP: $383|Avg: $50
100%
#1001
Athlon II M340
MSRP: $80|Avg: $15
100%
#1005
Pentium P6000
MSRP: $150|Avg: $90
98%
#1007
Core i7-3630QM
MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A
97%
#1008
Core i7-3610QM
MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A
97%
#1009
Core i3-1115GRE
MSRP: $338|Avg: $480
97%
#1010
Pentium A1020
MSRP: $86|Avg: $86
97%
#1011
Core i7-4702MQ
MSRP: $383|Avg: $50
97%
#1012
Pentium N4200
MSRP: $161|Avg: $30.89
96%
#1013
Pentium J2900
MSRP: $94|Avg: $20
95%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-380M

#4
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
121%
#5
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
119%
#6
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
109%
#7
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
109%
#8
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
108%
#10
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
104%
#11
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
100%
#12
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
100%
#13
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
97%
#17
Core i3-350M
MSRP: $130|Avg: $10
90%
#18
Atom x5-E8000
MSRP: $18|Avg: N/A
89%
#19
Core 2 Duo T5900
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5
88%
#22
Core i3-3130M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
79%
#23
Core 2 Duo T5550
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5
75%
#24
Core 2 Duo T7100
MSRP: $197|Avg: $15
75%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Celeron M U3400 leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i3-380M is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.6% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightCeleron M U3400Core i3-380M
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
More affordable ($5)
⚠️ Higher cost ($25)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Celeron M U3400 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 80% cheaper ($5 vs $25) while identifying as the stronger performer.
InsightCeleron M U3400Core i3-380M
Cost Efficiency
Better overall value (+397%)
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($5)
⚠️ Higher cost ($25)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Celeron M U3400 and Core i3-380M

Intel

Celeron M U3400

The Celeron M U3400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.06 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 512 kB + 2 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,205 points. Launch price was $69.

Intel

Core i3-380M

The Core i3-380M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 October 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 0.53 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: 1,212 points. Launch price was $49.

Processing Power

The Celeron M U3400 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-380M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.06 GHz on the Celeron M U3400 versus 0.53 GHz on the Core i3-380M — a 66.7% clock advantage for the Celeron M U3400. Both are built on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture using a 32 nm process. In PassMark, the Celeron M U3400 scores 1,205 against the Core i3-380M's 1,212 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-380M. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron M U3400 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-380M.

FeatureCeleron M U3400Core i3-380M
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 4
Boost Clock
1.06 GHz+100%
0.53 GHz
Base Clock
2.53 GHz
L3 Cache
2 MB
3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache
512 kB+100%
256K (per core)
Process
32 nm
32 nm
Architecture
Arrandale (2010−2011)
Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark
1,205
1,212
Geekbench 6 Single
450
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,100
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron M U3400 uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-380M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCeleron M U3400Core i3-380M
Socket
BGA1288
PGA988
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity
8 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Celeron M U3400) / VT-x (Core i3-380M). The Core i3-380M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Gen 1)), while the Celeron M U3400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-380M targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-380M rivals AMD Athlon II P320.

FeatureCeleron M U3400Core i3-380M
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics (Gen 1)
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x
Target Use
Legacy Laptop
💰

Value Analysis

The Celeron M U3400 launched at $86 MSRP, while the Core i3-380M debuted at $49. At current prices ($5 vs $25), the Celeron M U3400 is $20 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron M U3400 delivers 241.0 pts/$ vs 48.5 pts/$ for the Core i3-380M — making the Celeron M U3400 the 133% better value option.

FeatureCeleron M U3400Core i3-380M
MSRP
$86
$49-43%
Avg Price (30d)
$5-80%
$25
Performance per Dollar
241.0+397%
48.5
Release Date
2010
2010