Celeron N3350 vs Core 2 Duo U7500

Intel

Celeron N3350

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2016
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core 2 Duo U7500

2 Cores2 Thrd2 WWMax: 1.06 GHz2006
Similar parts
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Celeron N3350 vs Core 2 Duo U7500 Performance Spectrum

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.

Celeron N3350 vs Core 2 Duo U7500 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 N3350 vs Core 2 Duo U7500: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron N3350

2016

Why buy it

  • +38.9% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (6 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 500, while Core 2 Duo U7500 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • 7% HIGHER MSRP
    $107 MSRPvs$100 MSRP
  • 200% higher power demand at 6W vs 2W.

Core 2 Duo U7500

2006

Why buy it

  • Costs $7 less on MSRP ($100 MSRP vs $107 MSRP).
  • Draws 2W instead of 6W, a 4W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (180 vs 250).
  • Lower Geekbench multi-core (320 vs 450).
  • No integrated graphics, while Celeron N3350 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron N3350 better than Core 2 Duo U7500?
Yes. Celeron N3350 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 40.6% better Geekbench multi-core, 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 N3350 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron N3350 is the stronger fit. You are getting 40.6% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Celeron N3350 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Celeron N3350 comes in 7.0% more expensive on MSRP at $107 MSRP versus $100 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core 2 Duo U7500 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 0.1% in the shared gaming data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Celeron N3350 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2006) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron N3350 vs Core 2 Duo U7500 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Celeron N3350

The Celeron N3350 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 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1296. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,112 points. Launch price was $24.

Intel

Core 2 Duo U7500

The Core 2 Duo U7500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Merom-2048 (2006−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.06 GHz, with boost up to 1.06 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: BGA479. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,116 points. Launch price was $249.

Processing Power

Both the Celeron N3350 and Core 2 Duo U7500 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Celeron N3350 versus 1.06 GHz on the Core 2 Duo U7500 — a 77.5% clock advantage for the Celeron N3350 (base: 1.1 GHz vs 1.06 GHz). The Celeron N3350 uses the Apollo Lake (2014−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core 2 Duo U7500 uses Merom-2048 (2006−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N3350 scores 1,112 against the Core 2 Duo U7500's 1,116 — a 0.4% lead for the Core 2 Duo U7500. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 250 vs 180, a 32.6% lead for the Celeron N3350 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 450 vs 320 (33.8% advantage for the Celeron N3350). Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

FeatureCeleron N3350Core 2 Duo U7500
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 2
Boost Clock
2.4 GHz+126%
1.06 GHz
Base Clock
1.1 GHz+4%
1.06 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
0 kB
L2 Cache
1 MB
2 MB+100%
Process
14 nm-78%
65 nm
Architecture
Apollo Lake (2014−2016)
Merom-2048 (2006−2008)
PassMark
1,112
1,116
Geekbench 6 Single
250+39%
180
Geekbench 6 Multi
450+41%
320
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron N3350 uses the FCBGA1296 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo U7500 uses BGA479 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR4-2400 on the Celeron N3350 versus DDR2-533 on the Core 2 Duo U7500 — the Celeron N3350 supports 350.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron N3350 supports up to 8 GB of RAM compared to 2 GB 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 6 (Celeron N3350) vs 0 (Core 2 Duo U7500) — the Celeron N3350 offers 6 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SoC (Celeron N3350) and GM965,945GME (Core 2 Duo U7500).

FeatureCeleron N3350Core 2 Duo U7500
Socket
FCBGA1296
BGA479
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+173%
PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed
LPDDR4-2400+350%
DDR2-533
Max RAM Capacity
8 GB+300%
2 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
6
0
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Celeron N3350) vs VT-x (Core 2 Duo U7500). The Celeron N3350 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 500), while the Core 2 Duo U7500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron N3350 targets Entry Level Laptop/NUC, Core 2 Duo U7500 targets Ultra Low Voltage Laptop. Direct competitor: Celeron N3350 rivals AMD A4-9120.

FeatureCeleron N3350Core 2 Duo U7500
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics 500
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x
Target Use
Entry Level Laptop/NUC
Ultra Low Voltage Laptop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron N3350 was priced at $107, while the Core 2 Duo U7500 came in at $100. On launch pricing ($107 vs $100), Core 2 Duo U7500 was $7 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron N3350 delivers 10.4 pts/$ vs 11.2 pts/$ for the Core 2 Duo U7500 — making the Core 2 Duo U7500 the 7.1% better value option.

FeatureCeleron N3350Core 2 Duo U7500
MSRP
$107
$100-7%
Performance per Dollar
10.4
11.2+8%
Release Date
2016
2006

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