Celeron M U3400 vs Core i3-380M

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 U3400 vs Core i3-380M 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 U3400 vs Core i3-380M: 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 U3400

2010

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,205 vs 1,212).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.0 vs 24.7 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $49 MSRP).
❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-380M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i3-380M

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Costs $37 less on MSRP ($49 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
✅Delivers 76.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 24.7 vs 14.0 PassMark/$ ($49 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-380M better than Celeron M U3400?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron M U3400 is ahead with a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-380M pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark. Core i3-380M also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-380M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Core i3-380M is the better buy right now. Core i3-380M comes in $37 cheaper on MSRP at $49 MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Celeron M U3400 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 76.5% better value on MSRP (24.7 vs 14.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-380M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron M U3400 vs Core i3-380M Technical Specifications

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

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.

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.

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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.

Feature	Celeron M U3400	Core 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

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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.

Feature	Celeron M U3400	Core 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	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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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.

Feature	Celeron M U3400	Core i3-380M
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics (Gen 1)
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x
Target Use	—	Legacy Laptop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron M U3400 was priced at $86, while the Core i3-380M came in at $49. On launch pricing ($86 vs $49), Core i3-380M was $37 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron M U3400 delivers 14.0 pts/$ vs 24.7 pts/$ for the Core i3-380M — making the Core i3-380M the 55.4% better value option.

Feature	Celeron M U3400	Core i3-380M
MSRP	$86	$49-43%
Performance per Dollar	14.0	24.7+76%
Release Date	2010	2010

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