Celeron N3350
VS
Pentium B980

Celeron N3350 vs Pentium B980

Intel

Celeron N3350

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2016
VS
Intel

Pentium B980

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2012

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 N3350 is positioned at rank 1068 and the Pentium B980 is on rank 1110, so the Celeron N3350 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 N3350

#1056
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
2824%
#1057
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
2782%
#1058
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
2554%
#1059
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
2543%
#1060
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
2520%
#1062
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
2433%
#1063
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
2333%
#1064
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
2329%
#1065
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
2267%
#1068
Celeron N3350
MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A
100%
#1070
Core i7-2675QM
MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A
100%
#1071
A9-9410
MSRP: $150|Avg: $25
99%
#1073
A8 Pro-7150B
MSRP: $150|Avg: $20
99%
#1074
A9-9420
MSRP: $150|Avg: $30
99%
#1075
Celeron B730
MSRP: $70|Avg: $10
98%
#1078
A9-9425
MSRP: $150|Avg: $30
97%
#1080
Core i5-4402E
MSRP: $266|Avg: $100
97%
#1081
A6-7000
MSRP: $100|Avg: $15
96%
#1083
Core i5-2520M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
96%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Pentium B980

#1098
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
3330%
#1099
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
3281%
#1100
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
3012%
#1101
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
2999%
#1102
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
2971%
#1104
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
2869%
#1105
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
2751%
#1106
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
2747%
#1107
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
2673%
#1110
Pentium B980
MSRP: $125|Avg: $35
100%
#1111
Celeron 867
MSRP: $86|Avg: $15
100%
#1112
Pentium B970
MSRP: $125|Avg: $39
99%
#1113
Core i5-2410M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
99%
#1114
Pentium T2370
MSRP: $86|Avg: $10
98%
#1115
Pentium N3710
MSRP: $161|Avg: $50
98%
#1116
Core m3-7Y30
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
98%
#1117
Pentium 977
MSRP: $134|Avg: $10
97%
#1118
Core i7-2715QE
MSRP: $378|Avg: $50
97%
#1119
VIA Nano U2250
MSRP: $50|Avg: $10
96%
#1121
Core i5-560M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
96%
#1122
Pentium U5600
MSRP: $100|Avg: $50
95%
#1124
Core m5-6Y57
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
95%
#1125
Core i7-610E
MSRP: $250|Avg: $40
94%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Analysis: Based on specifications, the Celeron N3350 shows stronger theoretical performance metrics.
InsightCeleron N3350Pentium B980
Gaming
Balanced gaming performance
Balanced gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($107)
More affordable ($35)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Apollo Lake (2014−2016) / 14 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Value Proposition: While both processors are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Pentium B980 holds the technical lead in efficiency. Priced at $35 (vs $107), it costs 67% less. While offering basic entry-level performance, it results in a 203% higher cost efficiency score compared to the Celeron N3350.
InsightCeleron N3350Pentium B980
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Better overall value (+203%)
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($107)
More affordable ($35)

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 N3350 and Pentium B980

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

Pentium B980

The Pentium B980 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 2 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: 1,101 points. Launch price was $125.

Processing Power

Both the Celeron N3350 and Pentium B980 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Celeron N3350 versus 2.4 GHz on the Pentium B980 — identical boost frequencies (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Celeron N3350 uses the Apollo Lake (2014−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium B980 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N3350 scores 1,112 against the Pentium B980's 1,101 — a 1% lead for the Celeron N3350. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Celeron N3350 vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium B980.

FeatureCeleron N3350Pentium B980
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 2
Boost Clock
2.4 GHz
2.4 GHz
Base Clock
1.1 GHz
2.4 GHz+118%
L3 Cache
0 kB
2 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1 MB+300%
256K (per core)
Process
14 nm-56%
32 nm
Architecture
Apollo Lake (2014−2016)
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark
1,112
1,101
Geekbench 6 Single
250
Geekbench 6 Multi
450
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron N3350 uses the FCBGA1296 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium B980 uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCeleron N3350Pentium B980
Socket
FCBGA1296
PGA988
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
LPDDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity
8 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
6
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Celeron N3350) / not specified (Pentium B980). The Celeron N3350 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 500), while the Pentium B980 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron N3350 targets Entry Level Laptop/NUC. Direct competitor: Celeron N3350 rivals AMD A4-9120.

FeatureCeleron N3350Pentium B980
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics 500
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Entry Level Laptop/NUC
💰

Value Analysis

The Celeron N3350 launched at $107 MSRP, while the Pentium B980 debuted at $125.

FeatureCeleron N3350Pentium B980
MSRP
$107-14%
$125
Avg Price (30d)
$35
Release Date
2016
2012