Intel Core i3 vs Intel Celeron Processor – What’s The Difference?

The Intel Core i3 and Intel Celeron are two different types of processors, but the differences between them can be hard to spot. In this post, we’ll talk about what separates these two CPUs from one another. This will help you to make a more informed decision on which one is right for your needs.

Intel Core i3 vs Intel Celeron

Intel Core i3s are typically priced higher than their Celeron counterparts, but they offer better performance in multi-core tasks with hyperthreading enabled. The Core i3 also has a larger cache size (4MB) than the Celeron (2MB).

Intel Core i-series chips are typically used in laptops or desktop computers. The Celeron is better suited for cheaper, lower-power devices such as Chromebooks and tablets.

Celerons have the same cache size. However, they lack hyperthreading capabilities, which make them less effective when dealing with multi-core tasks. They also usually use a slower RAM (DDR) than their counterparts. Intel Core i series processors often operate on faster DDR memory speeds of up to 2400MHz vs 1600MHz respectively.

The biggest difference between these two CPUs comes down to power consumption and performance. Since CPU’s are now so powerful nowadays, it can be easy to overlook this detail if you don’t need top processing speed or want to save on battery life.

Cache Size and Frequency

Processors that can “multitask” need a memory cache of data they were working on. The greater your cache memory, the better your processor will be able to complete computations without having to wait for more data from other storage.

In terms of data processing, it is faster to get data from the cache than from RAM.

Intel Core i3-i5 CPUs typically come with 6 to 8 MB of cache, compared with Intel Celeron CPUs that come with 4MB of cache. As such, the Core i3 is a better choice than the Celeron for doing multiple tasks at once.

Processors vary in terms of frequency. This refers to the ability of a processor chip to compute more instructions per second, which is attributed to its frequency rather than its size.

Celeron CPUs usually have an average frequency of about 2.00 GHz, which can occasionally peak at a burst speed of 2.70 GHz. AA standard Intel Core i3 will run at 3.20 GHz with the ability to overclock up to 3.80 GHz.

Core and Thread Count

No processors can be compared without first reviewing the core and thread count.

Processors were once just one unit. However, new fabrication technologies have made it possible to create smaller and more powerful electronic components, which can be embedded together. This led to multi-core CPUs that are better at doing many things in parallel. In fact, almost no one uses single core CPUs anymore.

But what does the thread count relate to? Technology companies have developed a technique that can use a single core to switch between processes quickly.

Hyperthreading allows a processor to divide and process CPU workloads more efficiently by enabling each of the cores to process two threads simultaneously, instead of one. The more threads, the better the performance.

Intel Celeron processors typically have two cores and no hyper-threading, which makes them a 2-thread CPU. However, the Intel Core i3 is more powerful, as most of them comes with four threads and four cores. Some Core i3 processors have just two cores, but they can use hyperthreading to be able to run four threads at a time.

Which One Should You Get?

Intel Core i3 processors (Amazon link) can typically handle more processing tasks simultaneously. This means that you will see better performance for high-end or multi-core applications, such as video editing, computer programming (C++ and Java), photography manipulation, etc.

The Celeron chip is best suited to people who need a laptop with basic functions at an affordable price. It should also be able to run office software, like Word and Excel, without any problem.  However, there might be some struggle when opening larger files in these programs.

The Intel Core i3 series CPU is the perfect match if you’re looking for top-of-the-line processing power. They are capable of handling more complex operations while still remaining energy efficient.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you are looking for a chip that will help you get more done in less time, the Intel Core i3 might be what you need. It can handle high-end or multi-core applications, like video editing and programming, better than other CPUs on the market.

The Celeron chip may not provide as much processing power, but it does offer affordability. The chip still allows you to run basic programs without any problem.

When making your choice, you should consider what you need it for. There will be no need for the Intel Core i3 if you will only be using your computer for light gameplay, word processing, or general web browsing. Choosing the Celeron would be the best choice in such situation – and you would save lots of money in the process.