Celeron 2.40 vs Pentium 4 2.60

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.

Celeron 2.40 vs Pentium 4 2.60 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Celeron 2.40 vs Pentium 4 2.60: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Celeron 2.40

2003

Why buy it

✅Costs $332 less on MSRP ($69 MSRP vs $401 MSRP).
✅Delivers 449.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 5.0 vs 0.9 PassMark/$ ($69 MSRP vs $401 MSRP).
✅Draws 73W instead of 92W, a 19W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock Cooler), unlike Pentium 4 2.60.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (345 vs 365).

Pentium 4 2.60

2002

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 0.9 vs 5.0 PassMark/$ ($401 MSRP vs $69 MSRP).
❌26% higher power demand at 92W vs 73W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Celeron 2.40.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium 4 2.60 better than Celeron 2.40?

Yes. Pentium 4 2.60 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you 5.8% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium 4 2.60 has the edge because it leads the single-thread side of this matchup with 8.3% higher max boost clock.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 4 2.60 is the stronger fit. You are getting 5.8% better PassMark, backed by 1 cores and 1 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Pentium 4 2.60 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium 4 2.60 comes in 481.2% more expensive on MSRP at $401 MSRP versus $69 MSRP, and it still gives you 5.8% higher PassMark. Celeron 2.40 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2003 platform. Even with 449.3% better value on paper (5.0 vs 0.9 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA478.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Celeron 2.40 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2003 vs 2002). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron 2.40 vs Pentium 4 2.60 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Celeron 2.40

The Celeron 2.40 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 128 kB. Built on 130 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 345 points. Launch price was $69.

Pentium 4 2.60

The Pentium 4 2.60 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 130 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 92 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 365 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Celeron 2.40 and Pentium 4 2.60 share an identical 1-core/1-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Celeron 2.40 versus 2.6 GHz on the Pentium 4 2.60 — a 8% clock advantage for the Pentium 4 2.60. Both are built on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture using a 130 nm process. In PassMark, the Celeron 2.40 scores 345 against the Pentium 4 2.60's 365 — a 5.6% lead for the Pentium 4 2.60. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Celeron 2.40	Pentium 4 2.60
Cores / Threads	1 / 1	1 / 1
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	2.6 GHz+8%
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	128 kB	512 kB+300%
Process	130 nm	130 nm
Architecture	NetBurst (2000−2006)	NetBurst (2000−2006)
PassMark	345	365+6%
Geekbench 6 Single	150	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	150	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the PGA478 socket with PCIe 1.1.

Feature	Celeron 2.40	Pentium 4 2.60
Socket	PGA478	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR1-333	—
Max RAM Capacity	2 GB	—
RAM Channels	1	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	0	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: None (Celeron 2.40) / not specified (Pentium 4 2.60). Primary use case: Celeron 2.40 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Celeron 2.40 rivals Pentium 4 2.40.

Feature	Celeron 2.40	Pentium 4 2.60
Integrated GPU	No	—
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	None	—
Target Use	Legacy Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron 2.40 was priced at $69, while the Pentium 4 2.60 came in at $401. On launch pricing ($69 vs $401), Celeron 2.40 was $332 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron 2.40 delivers 5.0 pts/$ vs 0.9 pts/$ for the Pentium 4 2.60 — making the Celeron 2.40 the 138.4% better value option.

Feature	Celeron 2.40	Pentium 4 2.60
MSRP	$69-83%	$401
Performance per Dollar	5.0+456%	0.9
Release Date	2003	2002

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