Celeron T3300 vs Pentium 2117U

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 T3300 vs Pentium 2117U 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 T3300 vs Pentium 2117U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron T3300

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,005 vs 1,009).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (1 MB vs 2 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $86 MSRP, while Pentium 2117U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Pentium 2117U

2012

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (2 MB vs 1 MB).

Trade-offs

❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium 2117U better than Celeron T3300?

Yes. Pentium 2117U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium 2117U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.9% more average FPS across 49 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 2117U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (2 MB vs 1 MB).

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

Pentium 2117U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium 2117U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron T3300 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (11.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA478.

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

Pentium 2117U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2010) and 100% larger total L3 cache (2 MB vs 1 MB). That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron T3300 vs Pentium 2117U Technical Specifications

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

Celeron T3300

The Celeron T3300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. Base frequency: 2 GHz. L3 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,005 points. Launch price was $69.

Pentium 2117U

The Pentium 2117U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,009 points. Launch price was $134.

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Processing Power

The Pentium 2117U is built on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. In PassMark, the Celeron T3300 scores 1,005 against the Pentium 2117U's 1,009 — a 0.4% lead for the Pentium 2117U. L3 cache: 1 MB on the Celeron T3300 vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 2117U.

Feature	Celeron T3300	Pentium 2117U
Cores / Threads	—	2 / 2
Boost Clock	—	1.8 GHz
Base Clock	2 GHz+11%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	1 MB	2 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	—	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	—	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	1,005	1,009

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron T3300 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium 2117U uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.