Celeron N4500 vs Core i3-2330E

Intel

Celeron N4500

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2021
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i3-2330E

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2011
Similar parts
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Celeron N4500 vs Core i3-2330E 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 N4500 vs Core i3-2330E 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 N4500 vs Core i3-2330E: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron N4500

2021

Why buy it

  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
  • Draws 6W instead of 35W, a 29W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,817 vs 1,823).
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i3-2330E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i3-2330E

2011

Why buy it

  • +0.3% higher PassMark.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 3000, while Celeron N4500 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
  • Launch MSRP is still $225 MSRP, while Celeron N4500 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 483.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 6W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron N4500 better than Core i3-2330E?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron N4500 is ahead with a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-2330E pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark. Celeron N4500 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-2330E is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Celeron N4500 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Celeron N4500 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-2330E only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (8.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA988.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Celeron N4500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2011) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron N4500 vs Core i3-2330E Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Celeron N4500

The Celeron N4500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Jasper Lake (2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.5 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1338. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,817 points. Launch price was $69.

Intel

Core i3-2330E

The Core i3-2330E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 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: 1,823 points. Launch price was $225.

Processing Power

The Celeron N4500 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-2330E's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Celeron N4500 versus 2.2 GHz on the Core i3-2330E — a 24% clock advantage for the Celeron N4500 (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Celeron N4500 uses the Jasper Lake (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i3-2330E uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N4500 scores 1,817 against the Core i3-2330E's 1,823 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-2330E. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Celeron N4500 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2330E.

FeatureCeleron N4500Core i3-2330E
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 4
Boost Clock
2.8 GHz+27%
2.2 GHz
Base Clock
1.1 GHz
2.2 GHz+100%
L3 Cache
4 MB (total)+33%
3 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1.5 MB (total)
256K (per core)+16967%
Process
10 nm-69%
32 nm
Architecture
Jasper Lake (2021)
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark
1,817
1,823
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Memory & Platform

The Celeron N4500 uses the BGA1338 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i3-2330E uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCeleron N4500Core i3-2330E
Socket
BGA1338
PGA988
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0+100%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
16
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Celeron N4500) / VT-x (Core i3-2330E). The Core i3-2330E includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Celeron N4500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-2330E targets Embedded.

FeatureCeleron N4500Core i3-2330E
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x
Target Use
Embedded