Celeron N3350 vs Xeon L3406

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 Xeon L3406 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 Xeon L3406: 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

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $82 less on MSRP ($107 MSRP vs $189 MSRP).
✅Delivers 77.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 10.4 vs 5.8 PassMark/$ ($107 MSRP vs $189 MSRP).
✅Draws 6W instead of 30W, a 24W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (6 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon L3406, which brings 2 cores / 4 threads.

Xeon L3406

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 2 cores / 4 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,104 vs 1,112).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.8 vs 10.4 PassMark/$ ($189 MSRP vs $107 MSRP).
❌400% higher power demand at 30W 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 Xeon L3406?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon L3406 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Celeron N3350 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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 0.7% 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 $82 cheaper on MSRP at $107 MSRP versus $189 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon L3406 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.7% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 77.9% better value on MSRP (10.4 vs 5.8 PassMark/$), 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 2010) 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 N3350 vs Xeon L3406 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.

Xeon L3406

The Xeon L3406 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 30 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 1,104 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Celeron N3350 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Xeon L3406's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Celeron N3350 versus 2.53 GHz on the Xeon L3406 — a 5.3% clock advantage for the Xeon L3406 (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.26 GHz). The Celeron N3350 is built on the Apollo Lake (2014−2016) architecture. In PassMark, the Celeron N3350 scores 1,112 against the Xeon L3406's 1,104 — a 0.7% lead for the Celeron N3350. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Celeron N3350 vs 4 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon L3406.

Feature	Celeron N3350	Xeon L3406
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	2.53 GHz+5%
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	2.26 GHz+105%
L3 Cache	0 kB	4 MB Intel® Smart Cache
L2 Cache	1 MB	—
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Apollo Lake (2014−2016)	—
PassMark	1,112	1,104
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 Xeon L3406 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron N3350	Xeon L3406
Socket	FCBGA1296	LGA1156
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 (Xeon L3406). The Celeron N3350 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 500), while the Xeon L3406 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	Xeon L3406
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 Xeon L3406 came in at $189. On launch pricing ($107 vs $189), Celeron N3350 was $82 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron N3350 delivers 10.4 pts/$ vs 5.8 pts/$ for the Xeon L3406 — making the Celeron N3350 the 56.1% better value option.

Feature	Celeron N3350	Xeon L3406
MSRP	$107-43%	$189
Performance per Dollar	10.4+79%	5.8
Release Date	2016	2010

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