Core i3-3217UE
VS
Celeron 4205U

Core i3-3217UE vs Celeron 4205U

Intel

Core i3-3217UE

2 Cores4 Thrd17 WWMax: 1.6 GHz2012
VS
Intel

Celeron 4205U

2 Cores2 Thrd15 WWMax: 1.8 GHz2019

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 i3-3217UE is positioned at rank 1187 and the Celeron 4205U is on rank 152, so the Celeron 4205U 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 i3-3217UE

#1175
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
4850%
#1176
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
4779%
#1177
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
4387%
#1178
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
4367%
#1179
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
4327%
#1181
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
4179%
#1182
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
4007%
#1183
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
4000%
#1184
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
3893%
#1187
Core i3-3217UE
MSRP: $225|Avg: $35
100%
#1188
Celeron T3000
MSRP: $150|Avg: $54
100%
#1189
Core m7-6Y75
MSRP: $393|Avg: $393
99%
#1190
Core M-5Y10
MSRP: $281|Avg: $20
97%
#1193
Celeron 900
MSRP: $86|Avg: $5
93%
#1194
Pentium T3400
MSRP: $150|Avg: $90
93%
#1195
Core 2 Solo SU3500
MSRP: $262|Avg: $15
93%
#1196
Core 2 Duo E8335
MSRP: $200|Avg: $50
90%
#1199
Celeron 560
MSRP: $89|Avg: $5
88%
#1200
Core i3-2312M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
87%
#1201
Celeron 857
MSRP: $134|Avg: $10
87%
#1202
Celeron 925
MSRP: $100|Avg: $100
87%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Celeron 4205U

#42
Ryzen 9 9955HX3D
MSRP: $749|Avg: N/A
98%
#140
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
326%
#141
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
321%
#142
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
295%
#143
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
294%
#144
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
291%
#146
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
281%
#147
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
269%
#148
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
269%
#149
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
262%
#152
Celeron 4205U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#158
Core i5-3210M
MSRP: $225|Avg: $30
98%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Celeron 4205U (2019) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightCore i3-3217UECeleron 4205U
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($35)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)
✨ Modern (Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i3-3217UE (2012) relies on 22 nm technology and **unknown Dual-channel**, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightCore i3-3217UECeleron 4205U
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($35)
More affordable ($0)

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 i3-3217UE and Celeron 4205U

Intel

Core i3-3217UE

The Core i3-3217UE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 August 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 1,362 points. Launch price was $69.

Intel

Celeron 4205U

The Celeron 4205U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 January 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) 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: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,350 points. Launch price was $107.

Processing Power

The Core i3-3217UE packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Celeron 4205U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.6 GHz on the Core i3-3217UE versus 1.8 GHz on the Celeron 4205U — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Celeron 4205U. The Core i3-3217UE uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Celeron 4205U uses Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3217UE scores 1,362 against the Celeron 4205U's 1,350 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i3-3217UE. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 353 vs 347, a 1.7% lead for the Core i3-3217UE that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 790 vs 585 (29.8% advantage for the Core i3-3217UE). L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3217UE vs 2 MB (total) on the Celeron 4205U.

FeatureCore i3-3217UECeleron 4205U
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 2
Boost Clock
1.6 GHz
1.8 GHz+12%
Base Clock
1.8 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)+50%
2 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
256 kB (per core)
Process
22 nm
14 nm-36%
Architecture
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019)
PassMark
1,362
1,350
Geekbench 6 Single
353+2%
347
Geekbench 6 Multi
790+35%
585
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-3217UE uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Celeron 4205U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-3217UE versus DDR4-2133 on the Celeron 4205U — the Celeron 4205U supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron 4205U supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-3217UE) vs 12 (Celeron 4205U) — the Core i3-3217UE offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM65,QM77 (Core i3-3217UE) and Whiskey Lake-U (Celeron 4205U).

FeatureCore i3-3217UECeleron 4205U
Socket
BGA1023
FCBGA1528
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1600
DDR4-2133+33%
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
64 GB+300%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16+33%
12
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: Yes (Core i3-3217UE) vs VT-x, VT-d (Celeron 4205U). Both include integrated graphics HD Graphics 4000 (Core i3-3217UE) and UHD Graphics 610 (Celeron 4205U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3217UE targets Embedded, Celeron 4205U targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 4205U rivals Pentium Gold 4417U.

FeatureCore i3-3217UECeleron 4205U
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 4000
UHD Graphics 610
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
Yes
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Embedded
Budget