Celeron N3350 vs Pentium B980

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 Pentium B980 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 Pentium B980: 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

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $18 less on MSRP ($107 MSRP vs $125 MSRP).
✅Delivers 18.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 10.4 vs 8.8 PassMark/$ ($107 MSRP vs $125 MSRP).
✅Draws 6W instead of 35W, a 29W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (6 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

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

Pentium B980

2012

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,101 vs 1,112).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.8 vs 10.4 PassMark/$ ($125 MSRP vs $107 MSRP).
❌483.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 6W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron N3350 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron N3350 better than Pentium B980?

Yes. Celeron N3350 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

For gaming, this matchup is basically a tie in the data we have.

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 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron N3350 is the better buy right now. Celeron N3350 comes in $18 cheaper on MSRP at $107 MSRP versus $125 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 18.0% better value on MSRP (10.4 vs 8.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Celeron N3350 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2012) 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 Pentium B980 Technical Specifications

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

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.

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.

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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.

Feature	Celeron N3350	Pentium 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	256K (per core)+25500%
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	—

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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.

Feature	Celeron N3350	Pentium 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	No	—
PCIe Lanes	6	—

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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.

Feature	Celeron N3350	Pentium 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	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron N3350 was priced at $107, while the Pentium B980 came in at $125. On launch pricing ($107 vs $125), Celeron N3350 was $18 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron N3350 delivers 10.4 pts/$ vs 8.8 pts/$ for the Pentium B980 — making the Celeron N3350 the 16.5% better value option.

Feature	Celeron N3350	Pentium B980
MSRP	$107-14%	$125
Performance per Dollar	10.4+18%	8.8
Release Date	2016	2012

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