Core i3-2310M
VS
Celeron 3855U

Core i3-2310M vs Celeron 3855U

Intel

Core i3-2310M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.1 GHz2011
VS
Intel

Celeron 3855U

2 Cores2 Thrd15 WWMax: 1.6 GHz2015

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 i3-2310M is positioned at rank 1032 and the Celeron 3855U is on rank 193, so the Celeron 3855U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2310M

#1019
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
2401%
#1020
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
2366%
#1021
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
2172%
#1022
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
2162%
#1023
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
2142%
#1025
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
2069%
#1026
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1984%
#1027
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1980%
#1028
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1927%
#1031
Core i5-4400E
MSRP: $266|Avg: $50
100%
#1032
Core i3-2310M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#1033
Pentium Dual Core T4400
MSRP: $107|Avg: $5
98%
#1036
Core i7-8665UE
MSRP: $409|Avg: $409
97%
#1037
Celeron T3300
MSRP: $86|Avg: $15
96%
#1038
Celeron Dual-Core T3300
MSRP: $86|Avg: $30
96%
#1041
Core i7-3612QE
MSRP: $426|Avg: $50
95%
#1042
A10-7300
MSRP: $150|Avg: $50
95%
#1043
Pentium Dual Core T4200
MSRP: $100|Avg: $10
94%
#1044
A6 Micro-6500T
MSRP: $100|Avg: $15
94%
#1045
Pentium N3520
MSRP: $100|Avg: $10
94%
#1046
E2-3800
MSRP: $100|Avg: $20
93%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Celeron 3855U

#181
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
362%
#182
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
357%
#183
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
328%
#184
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
326%
#185
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
323%
#187
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
312%
#188
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
299%
#189
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
299%
#190
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
291%
#193
Celeron 3855U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#194
Pentium Gold 4417U
MSRP: $161|Avg: N/A
100%
#195
Atom N475
MSRP: $75|Avg: N/A
100%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Celeron 3855U leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i3-2310M is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.6% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightCore i3-2310MCeleron 3855U
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore i3-2310MCeleron 3855U
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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 i3-2310M and Celeron 3855U

Intel

Core i3-2310M

The Core i3-2310M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 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: 1,222 points. Launch price was $225.

Intel

Celeron 3855U

The Celeron 3855U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 August 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, LPDDR3-1600/1866, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,215 points. Launch price was $107.

Processing Power

The Core i3-2310M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Celeron 3855U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-2310M versus 1.6 GHz on the Celeron 3855U — a 27% clock advantage for the Core i3-2310M (base: 2.1 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Core i3-2310M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Celeron 3855U uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2310M scores 1,222 against the Celeron 3855U's 1,215 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-2310M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 350 vs 361, a 3.1% lead for the Celeron 3855U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 658 vs 632 (4% advantage for the Core i3-2310M). L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2310M vs 2 MB on the Celeron 3855U.

FeatureCore i3-2310MCeleron 3855U
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 2
Boost Clock
2.1 GHz+31%
1.6 GHz
Base Clock
2.1 GHz+31%
1.6 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)+50%
2 MB
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512 kB+100%
Process
32 nm
14 nm-56%
Architecture
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark
1,222
1,215
Geekbench 6 Single
350
361+3%
Geekbench 6 Multi
658+4%
632
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-2310M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron 3855U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i3-2310M versus DDR4 2133 MHz on the Celeron 3855U — the Celeron 3855U supports 200% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron 3855U supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-2310M) vs 10 (Celeron 3855U) — the Core i3-2310M offers 6 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Sandy Bridge (Core i3-2310M) and FCBGA1356 (Celeron 3855U).

FeatureCore i3-2310MCeleron 3855U
Socket
PGA988
BGA1356
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333
DDR4 2133 MHz+33%
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
32 GB+100%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16+60%
10
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core i3-2310M) vs true (Celeron 3855U). Both include integrated graphics HD Graphics 3000 (Core i3-2310M) and Intel HD Graphics 510 (Celeron 3855U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-2310M targets Budget, Celeron 3855U targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i3-2310M rivals Athlon Silver 3050U; Celeron 3855U rivals Pentium 3825U.

FeatureCore i3-2310MCeleron 3855U
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 3000
Intel HD Graphics 510
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x
true
Target Use
Budget
Budget