Celeron N3450 vs Core i3-5015U

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 N3450 vs Core i3-5015U 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 N3450 vs Core i3-5015U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron N3450

2016

Why buy it

✅Draws 6W instead of 512W, a 506W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,981 vs 1,990).

Core i3-5015U

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅100% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 6) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌8433.3% higher power demand at 512W vs 6W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron N3450 better than Core i3-5015U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron N3450 is ahead with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-5015U 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, Core i3-5015U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Celeron N3450 still makes the most sense overall. Celeron N3450 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Celeron N3450 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron N3450 vs Core i3-5015U Technical Specifications

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

Celeron N3450

The Celeron N3450 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 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1296. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,981 points. Launch price was $107.

Core i3-5015U

The Core i3-5015U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) 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 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,990 points. Launch price was $275.

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Processing Power

The Celeron N3450 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-5015U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Celeron N3450 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Celeron N3450 versus 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-5015U — a 4.7% clock advantage for the Celeron N3450 (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Celeron N3450 uses the Apollo Lake (2014−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-5015U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N3450 scores 1,981 against the Core i3-5015U's 1,990 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i3-5015U. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Celeron N3450 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-5015U.

Feature	Celeron N3450	Core i3-5015U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz+5%	2.1 GHz
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	2.1 GHz+91%
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB	256K (per core)+12700%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Apollo Lake (2014−2016)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	1,981	1,990

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron N3450 uses the FCBGA1296 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-5015U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 2400 on the Celeron N3450 versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i3-5015U — the Celeron N3450 supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-5015U supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 6 (Celeron N3450) vs 12 (Core i3-5015U) — the Core i3-5015U offers 6 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Celeron N3450	Core i3-5015U
Socket	FCBGA1296	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	2400+50%	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	16 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	6	12+100%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Celeron N3450) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-5015U). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 500 (Celeron N3450) and HD Graphics 5500 (Core i3-5015U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-5015U targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Celeron N3450 rivals AMD A4-9120.