Celeron N2806 vs Core i3-2312M

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 N2806 vs Core i3-2312M 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 N2806 vs Core i3-2312M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron N2806

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 4W instead of 512W, a 508W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-2312M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i3-2312M

2011

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 3000, while Celeron N2806 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,189 vs 1,195).
❌Launch MSRP is still $225 MSRP, while Celeron N2806 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌12700% higher power demand at 512W vs 4W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron N2806 better than Core i3-2312M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-2312M is ahead with a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron N2806 pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron N2806 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron N2806 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Celeron N2806 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. Core i3-2312M only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (5.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA988.

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

Celeron N2806 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron N2806 vs Core i3-2312M Technical Specifications

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

Celeron N2806

The Celeron N2806 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 December 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,195 points. Launch price was $107.

Core i3-2312M

The Core i3-2312M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 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: 1,189 points. Launch price was $225.

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Processing Power

The Celeron N2806 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-2312M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Celeron N2806 versus 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-2312M — a 4.9% clock advantage for the Core i3-2312M (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Celeron N2806 uses the Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i3-2312M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N2806 scores 1,195 against the Core i3-2312M's 1,189 — a 0.5% lead for the Celeron N2806. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Celeron N2806 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2312M.

Feature	Celeron N2806	Core i3-2312M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2 GHz	2.1 GHz+5%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2.1 GHz+31%
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+100%	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Bay Trail-M (2013−2014)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,195	1,189
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	731

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron N2806 uses the FCBGA1170 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-2312M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron N2806	Core i3-2312M
Socket	FCBGA1170	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	1333
Max RAM Capacity	—	16
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Celeron N2806) / true (Core i3-2312M). The Core i3-2312M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Celeron N2806 requires a dedicated GPU.