Intel Celeron N3160
Also called intel celeron n3160, celeron n3160, n3160, celeron-n3160
Intel Celeron laptop processor on Braswell, with 4 cores and 4 threads and 2 MB L3 at 6 W TDP on a 14 nm process addressing up to 8 GB.
What you need to know
Intel Celeron N3160 is a legacy laptop cpu.
Intel Celeron N3160 launched in January 1, 2016., It has 4 cores and 4 threads on Braswell, dropping into the FCBGA1170 socket. Treat the spec table as the facts. Age alone does not tell you to throw it out.
- Still good?
- Only if the workload is light
- Product age
- 10 years old
- Upgrade pressure
- Moderate
What this hardware means today
Age and usefulness are not the same number. This page keeps them separate.
- Performance today
- Average. Laptop performance depends on the OEM power limit as much as this SKU name.
- Product age 10 years old
- Legacy. Launched January 1, 2016. Newer platforms exist. That does not make this chip unusable by itself.
- Support status
- Supported. Current Windows and current applications still run on this class of CPU. Platform BIOS support depends on the motherboard or laptop vendor.
- Upgrade pressure
- Moderate. Upgrade pressure comes from platform features and specific CPU-bound work, not from the chip being unusable.
Where does it sit?
Braswell sits on Intel's recent Core timeline. Later desktop branding moved toward Core Ultra.
Performance context
These are qualitative readings, not a fake 8.7 out of 10. Workload still wins.
Gaming: Good
Fine when the laptop GPU is the limit. CPU names on thin laptops often are not.
Productivity: Average
4 cores cover office, browser, and compile work in this class.
Multithreaded workloads: Average
4 threads. Heavy encodes still scale further on higher-core parts.
General use: Good
Everyday Windows use is not where most people notice this SKU first.
Efficiency: Depends on the laptop
The same SKU in two laptops can draw very different power. Read the device, not the CPU name alone.
Should you upgrade?
Probably not based on CPU performance alone.
Upgrade makes more sense if
- Your workload is strongly CPU limited
- You need a newer platform for memory, I/O, or chipset features
- You need substantially more multicore performance
- You are buying a whole new laptop anyway
Upgrade makes less sense if
- The GPU is the real bottleneck
- Current applications are already responsive
- The CPU rarely limits your workload
Specifications
Figures below follow the Feex Hardware Database record for this SKU. Fields without a recorded value are omitted.
Processor
Intel Celeron N3160 is built on Braswell using a 14 nm process.
| Manufacturer | Intel |
|---|---|
| Family | Celeron |
| Architecture | Braswell |
| Generation | Intel Celeron Processor N Series |
| Manufacturing process | 14 nm |
| Segment | Laptop |
Cores and threads
Intel Celeron N3160 has 4 cores and 4 threads.
| Cores | 4 |
|---|---|
| Threads | 4 |
Clock speeds
Base clock is 1.6 GHz.
| Base frequency | 1.6 GHz |
|---|
Cache
Cache on this sheet is 2 MB L3.
| L3 cache | 2 MB |
|---|---|
| Total cache | 2 MB |
Memory
Intel Celeron N3160 addresses 8 GB across 2 memory channels.
| Max capacity | 8 GB |
|---|---|
| Channels | 2 |
Package and power
Intel Celeron N3160 uses the FCBGA1170 socket and a 6 W TDP.
| Socket | FCBGA1170 |
|---|---|
| TDP | 6 W |
| PCIe | Revision 2.0, 4 lanes |
Market
Intel Celeron N3160 launched January 1, 2016.
| Launch date | January 1, 2016 |
|---|---|
| Model | N3160 |
Features
Intel Celeron N3160 records 1 instruction sets on this sheet.
| Instruction sets | 64-bit (x86-64) |
|---|---|
| Security | Hardware RNG |
| Virtualization | Extended Page Tables (EPT)VT-x (Hardware Virtualization) |
Compatibility
| Socket | FCBGA1170 |
|---|---|
| Board | A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Check the motherboard CPU list and BIOS revision. |
| Memory | up to 8 GB |
A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Boards often need a BIOS update before a newer chip in the same socket will post.
Laptop power limits, cooling, and the OEM firmware matter as much as the model name.
Read the memory list on the board. The CPU can list more standards than one motherboard will accept.
No post after a CPU swap
Clear CMOS only after you confirm the board list includes this SKU and the BIOS is new enough. A supported name on a box is not the same as a flashed board.
Sources and verification
Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Partially Verified. How we research.
- Feex Hardware Database · Specification source used for this sheet. CC BY 4.0.
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