Core i3-4012Y vs Celeron E3500
Core i3-4012Y
Celeron E3500
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 i3-4012Y is positioned at rank 526 and the Celeron E3500 is on rank 778, so the Core i3-4012Y offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-4012Y
Performance Per Dollar Celeron E3500
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-4012Y | Celeron E3500 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Wolfdale (2008−2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-4012Y | Celeron E3500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) |
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 i3-4012Y and Celeron E3500
Core i3-4012Y
The Core i3-4012Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 11.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,278 points. Launch price was $69.
Celeron E3500
The Celeron E3500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 August 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,290 points. Launch price was $62.
Processing Power
The Core i3-4012Y packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Celeron E3500's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.5 GHz on the Core i3-4012Y versus 2.7 GHz on the Celeron E3500 — a 57.1% clock advantage for the Celeron E3500 (base: 1.5 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i3-4012Y uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Celeron E3500 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4012Y scores 1,278 against the Celeron E3500's 1,290 — a 0.9% lead for the Celeron E3500. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 485 vs 347, a 33.2% lead for the Core i3-4012Y that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 988 vs 624 (45.2% advantage for the Core i3-4012Y). L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-4012Y vs 0 kB on the Celeron E3500.
| Feature | Core i3-4012Y | Celeron E3500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 1.5 GHz | 2.7 GHz+80% |
| Base Clock | 1.5 GHz | 2.7 GHz+80% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 1 MB (total)+100% |
| Process | 22 nm-51% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Haswell (2013−2015) | Wolfdale (2008−2010) |
| PassMark | 1,278 | 1,290 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 485+40% | 347 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 988+58% | 624 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-4012Y uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Celeron E3500 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3L-1600 / LPDDR3-1600 memory speed. The Core i3-4012Y supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i3-4012Y) vs 0 (Celeron E3500) — the Core i3-4012Y offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM86,HM87,QM87 (Core i3-4012Y) and G31,G41,P45 (Celeron E3500).
| Feature | Core i3-4012Y | Celeron E3500 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1168 | LGA775 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+173% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3L-1600 / LPDDR3-1600 | DDR3-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB+100% | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 12 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x / EPT (Core i3-4012Y) vs VT-x (Celeron E3500). The Core i3-4012Y includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4200), while the Celeron E3500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4012Y targets Low Power, Celeron E3500 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron E3500 rivals Pentium E5200.
| Feature | Core i3-4012Y | Celeron E3500 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 4200 | — |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x / EPT | VT-x |
| Target Use | Low Power | Budget |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core i3-4012Y and Celeron E3500
