What CPU is equivalent to PS3?
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The PS3 is a Sony video game console that launched in 2006 and remained popular until the early 2010s. It’s now succeeded by the much more mainstream PS4 and PS5 consoles, but many gamers still hold the PS3 close to their hearts. Today, we’re finding out what CPU is equivalent to PS3.
Now read: Best CPU for gaming 2023
What CPU does the PS3 use?
The PS3 uses a unique “Cell” microprocessor that’s very different from the x64 PC and console processors we’re familiar with today.
The cell microprocessor consists of a single powerful processing core known as the PPE (Power Processing Element). This core delivers the power behind the Cell microprocessor and can achieve a maximum clock speed of up to 3.2GHz, which is actually quite impressive by 2006 hardware standards.
The PPE is complemented by 8 additional SPE (Synergistic Processing Elements), which can also be thought of as cores as well, but secondary in nature to the PPE.
These SPEs are also clocked at a 3.2GHz maximum frequency. 6 of the 8 SPEs aid in general-purpose processing. The 7th is designated to system and security, whereas the 8th functions as a backup processor in case any of the others fail.
The Cell microprocessor was incredibly strong for its time. The only problem is that the unique CPU architecture meant games had to be built upon very hardware-specific code to extract all that performance out of the processor, which gave Sony more of a headache than they were comfortable dealing with.
As such, they switched back to a normal x64-based processor with the PS4.
If fed code optimized to run on its unique architecture could theoretically deliver performance that’s identical to that of many modern desktop processors.
What CPU is equivalent to the PS3’s CPU
It’s difficult to compare the PS3’s Cell microprocessor to a PC processor because both are built on fundamentally different architectures. That said, a processor that shares many similarities on the spec sheet as the Cell microprocessor would be the Intel Core i3-10100.
This is a 4-core, 8-thread processor launched by Intel as a 10th-generation Core i3 processor. While it doesn’t have as many physical cores as the 8-core Cell microprocessor, it does have the same number of threads, which bridges any potential gap in performance.
The Core i3-10100 has a base clock speed of 3.6GHz and a maximum clock speed of 4.3GHz. It also has a 6MB L3 cache, which the Cell microprocessor does not.
Again, it’s hard to compare the Cell to an x64 processor pound-for-pound, but the 10100 likely wins in raw performance, given both processors are fed optimized code.
Alternative options
If you’re looking for a new processor for your PC, going with the 10100 might not be your best option. The 10100 is a decent processor, but you’ll find that its elder brother, the Core i3-12100F, offers you markedly better performance at around the same entry-level price point.
Intel Core i3-12100F
The Core i3-12100F is a 4-core, 8-thread CPU with a maximum clock speed of 4.3GHz. On the spec sheet, it’s nearly identical to the 10100.
Intel Core i3-12100F
Core (threads)
4/8
Boost clock
4.3 GHz
Socket
Lga 1700
However, it outperforms the 10100 across the board due to its more recent architecture, compatibility with DDR5 RAM, and improved IPC. It’s also compatible with DDR4 RAM if you’re looking to save, making it a very budget-friendly processor.
We recommend going with the “F” variant of the 12100 processor if you plan on pairing it up with a dedicated GPU for additional savings.
