Core i3-380M
VS
Celeron M U3400

Core i3-380M vs Celeron M U3400

Intel

Core i3-380M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 0.53 GHz2010
VS
Intel

Celeron M U3400

2 Cores2 Thrd512 WWMax: 1.06 GHz2010

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 i3-380M is positioned at rank 11 and the Celeron M U3400 is on rank 998, so the Core i3-380M 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 i3-380M

#4
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
121%
#5
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
119%
#6
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
109%
#7
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
109%
#8
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
108%
#10
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
104%
#11
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
100%
#12
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
100%
#13
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
97%
#17
Core i3-350M
MSRP: $130|Avg: $10
90%
#18
Atom x5-E8000
MSRP: $18|Avg: N/A
89%
#19
Core 2 Duo T5900
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5
88%
#22
Core i3-3130M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
79%
#23
Core 2 Duo T5550
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5
75%
#24
Core 2 Duo T7100
MSRP: $197|Avg: $15
75%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Celeron M U3400

#986
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
2094%
#987
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
2064%
#988
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1894%
#989
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1886%
#990
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
1869%
#992
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1804%
#993
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1730%
#994
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1727%
#995
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1681%
#998
Celeron M U3400
MSRP: $86|Avg: $5
100%
#999
3015Ce
MSRP: $150|Avg: $40
100%
#1000
Core i7-4700MQ
MSRP: $383|Avg: $50
100%
#1001
Athlon II M340
MSRP: $80|Avg: $15
100%
#1005
Pentium P6000
MSRP: $150|Avg: $90
98%
#1007
Core i7-3630QM
MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A
97%
#1008
Core i7-3610QM
MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A
97%
#1009
Core i3-1115GRE
MSRP: $338|Avg: $480
97%
#1010
Pentium A1020
MSRP: $86|Avg: $86
97%
#1011
Core i7-4702MQ
MSRP: $383|Avg: $50
97%
#1012
Pentium N4200
MSRP: $161|Avg: $30.89
96%
#1013
Pentium J2900
MSRP: $94|Avg: $20
95%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Celeron M U3400 leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i3-380M is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.6% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightCore i3-380MCeleron M U3400
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($25)
More affordable ($5)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Celeron M U3400 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 80% cheaper ($5 vs $25) while identifying as the stronger performer.
InsightCore i3-380MCeleron M U3400
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Better overall value (+397%)
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($25)
More affordable ($5)

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 i3-380M and Celeron M U3400

Intel

Core i3-380M

The Core i3-380M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 October 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 0.53 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: 1,212 points. Launch price was $49.

Intel

Celeron M U3400

The Celeron M U3400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.06 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 512 kB + 2 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,205 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

The Core i3-380M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Celeron M U3400's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 0.53 GHz on the Core i3-380M versus 1.06 GHz on the Celeron M U3400 — a 66.7% clock advantage for the Celeron M U3400. Both are built on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture using a 32 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i3-380M scores 1,212 against the Celeron M U3400's 1,205 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-380M. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-380M vs 2 MB on the Celeron M U3400.

FeatureCore i3-380MCeleron M U3400
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 2
Boost Clock
0.53 GHz
1.06 GHz+100%
Base Clock
2.53 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)+50%
2 MB
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512 kB+100%
Process
32 nm
32 nm
Architecture
Arrandale (2010−2011)
Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark
1,212
1,205
Geekbench 6 Single
450
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,100
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-380M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron M U3400 uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i3-380MCeleron M U3400
Socket
PGA988
BGA1288
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity
8 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core i3-380M) / not specified (Celeron M U3400). The Core i3-380M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Gen 1)), while the Celeron M U3400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-380M targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-380M rivals AMD Athlon II P320.

FeatureCore i3-380MCeleron M U3400
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics (Gen 1)
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x
Target Use
Legacy Laptop
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i3-380M launched at $49 MSRP, while the Celeron M U3400 debuted at $86. At current prices ($25 vs $5), the Celeron M U3400 is $20 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-380M delivers 48.5 pts/$ vs 241.0 pts/$ for the Celeron M U3400 — making the Celeron M U3400 the 133% better value option.

FeatureCore i3-380MCeleron M U3400
MSRP
$49-43%
$86
Avg Price (30d)
$25
$5-80%
Performance per Dollar
48.5
241.0+397%
Release Date
2010
2010