Intel Celeron 3855U
Intel Celeron 3855U in 2026: Too Slow Even for Basic Tasks
The Intel Celeron 3855U was released at the end of 2015 as an inexpensive mobile processor for basic laptops. It has two cores, two threads, and a fixed clock speed of 1.6 GHz, with no Turbo Boost or Hyper-Threading. In 2026, that is no longer enough for comfortable everyday use: with several browser tabs and background applications open, two cores quickly become a limitation.
The processor belongs to the Skylake generation and is manufactured using a 14 nm process. Its TDP is 15 W, while a cTDP-down mode of up to 10 W is also available. Noticeably faster Core i3 processors from the same generation had the same power consumption level, so the 3855U’s low performance cannot be explained by an especially power-efficient operating mode.
Performance
To evaluate the Celeron 3855U, it is useful to compare it with the Pentium 4415U and Core i3-6100U. All three processors are 15 W mobile-class models, but the Pentium and Core i3 have four threads and operate at significantly higher clock speeds.
| Processor | Cores / Threads | Geekbench 6 Single | Geekbench 6 Multi | PassMark CPU Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celeron 3855U | 2 / 2 | 312 | 550 | 1,218 |
| Pentium 4415U | 2 / 4 | 558 | 985 | 2,257 |
| Core i3-6100U | 2 / 4 | 771 | 1,612 | 2,619 |
The Pentium 4415U is almost twice as fast in PassMark, while the Core i3-6100U is more than twice as fast as the Celeron 3855U. The gap is especially noticeable in the multi-threaded Geekbench 6 test.
The reason is not just Hyper-Threading. The Celeron runs at 1.6 GHz, while the Pentium 4415U and Core i3-6100U have a clock speed of 2.3 GHz. For a dual-core processor, this difference has a noticeable impact on browser performance, software installation, updates, and switching between applications.
An SSD reduces system boot and application launch times, but it does not eliminate the processor’s own limitations.
Intel HD Graphics 510
The Celeron 3855U features integrated Intel HD Graphics 510 from the Skylake GT1 generation. It contains 12 execution units and operates at frequencies from 300 to 900 MHz. It has no dedicated video memory and uses system RAM instead.
HD Graphics 510 handles desktop output and video playback, including hardware decoding of H.265/HEVC. DisplayPort supports resolutions of up to 4K at 60 Hz.
This graphics solution is too slow for modern games. Even older titles generally require low settings and resolutions, while in more demanding games both the GPU and the weak dual-core CPU become limitations at the same time.
Laptops Featuring the Celeron 3855U
The processor was installed primarily in inexpensive business and education-oriented models. These include:
- HP ProBook 430 G3
- HP ProBook 11 G2
- Dell Inspiron 13 5368 2-in-1
- Dell Chromebook 3380
- Dell Vostro 15 3568
- Lenovo ThinkPad 13
- Lenovo ThinkPad 13 Chromebook
The configuration of a particular laptop has a noticeable effect on its usability. A version with an SSD and 8 GB of RAM will be noticeably faster than a system with an HDD and 4 GB of RAM, but the processor will still remain the main limitation.
Is It Worth Using the Celeron 3855U in 2026?
The processor can still handle word processing, simple spreadsheets, video playback, and a few lightweight web pages. An SSD and at least 8 GB of RAM are recommended for these tasks.
Performance is no longer sufficient for videoconferencing, a large number of browser tabs, modern office applications, photo editing, or working in a demanding IDE.
Buying a laptop with a Celeron 3855U in 2026 is not worthwhile, except when it is being sold for a token amount and is needed for one simple task. Even Pentium and Core i3 processors from the same period are much faster, while significantly more powerful systems can be found among newer used laptops.
The age of these devices should also be taken into account. The battery, storage drive, cooling system, and display generally have the same service life as the processor itself.
Conclusion
The Intel Celeron 3855U was one of the entry-level mobile processors of the Skylake generation. Its two cores without Hyper-Threading, 1.6 GHz clock speed, and lack of Turbo Boost seriously limited it even when it was released.
In 2026, the 3855U no longer provides enough performance for comfortable everyday use. If you already have a laptop with this processor, it can still be used for simple tasks after installing an SSD and adding sufficient memory. For a purchase, it is better to look for a faster processor.
CPU Comparison
Compare Celeron 3855U with other CPUs
Basic
CPU Specifications
Memory Specifications
GPU Specifications
Miscellaneous
Benchmarks
Compared to Other CPU
Related CPU Comparisons
Share in social media
Or Link To Us
<a href="https://cputronic.com/en/cpu/intel-celeron-3855u" target="_blank">Intel Celeron 3855U</a>