
Core 2 Solo SU3500 vs Celeron N4000

Core 2 Solo SU3500

Celeron N4000
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core 2 Solo SU3500 is positioned at rank 1195 and the Celeron N4000 is on rank 126, so the Celeron N4000 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Solo SU3500
Performance Per Dollar Celeron N4000
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Solo SU3500 | Celeron N4000 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) | ✨ Modern (Goldmont Plus (2017) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Solo SU3500 | Celeron N4000 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+99%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Solo SU3500 and Celeron N4000

Core 2 Solo SU3500
The Core 2 Solo SU3500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 1.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 5.5 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,468 points. Launch price was $262.

Celeron N4000
The Celeron N4000 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 December 2017 (7 years ago). It is based on the Goldmont Plus (2017) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1090. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,472 points. Launch price was $107.
Processing Power
The Core 2 Solo SU3500 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Celeron N4000 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Celeron N4000 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 1.4 GHz on the Core 2 Solo SU3500 versus 2.6 GHz on the Celeron N4000 — a 60% clock advantage for the Celeron N4000 (base: 1.3 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core 2 Solo SU3500 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Celeron N4000 uses Goldmont Plus (2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Solo SU3500 scores 1,468 against the Celeron N4000's 1,472 — a 0.3% lead for the Celeron N4000. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core 2 Solo SU3500 vs 4 MB on the Celeron N4000.
| Feature | Core 2 Solo SU3500 | Celeron N4000 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 1 / 1 | 2 / 2+100% |
| Boost Clock | 1.4 GHz | 2.6 GHz+86% |
| Base Clock | 1.3 GHz+18% | 1.1 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB | 4 MB+33% |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB | 4 MB+33% |
| Process | 45 nm | 14 nm-69% |
| Architecture | Penryn (2008−2011) | Goldmont Plus (2017) |
| PassMark | 1,468 | 1,472 |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Solo SU3500 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Celeron N4000 uses FCBGA1090 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core 2 Solo SU3500 | Celeron N4000 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA956 | FCBGA1090 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 3.0+173% |
Value Analysis
The Core 2 Solo SU3500 launched at $262 MSRP, while the Celeron N4000 debuted at $107. At current prices ($15 vs $30), the Core 2 Solo SU3500 is $15 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Solo SU3500 delivers 97.9 pts/$ vs 49.1 pts/$ for the Celeron N4000 — making the Core 2 Solo SU3500 the 66.4% better value option.
| Feature | Core 2 Solo SU3500 | Celeron N4000 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $262 | $107-59% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $15-50% | $30 |
| Performance per Dollar | 97.9+99% | 49.1 |
| Release Date | 2009 | 2017 |
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