CPU
GPU
Celeron 2957U
Core 2 Quad Q8400
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Celeron 2957U is positioned at rank 53 and the Core 2 Quad Q8400 is on rank 975, so the Celeron 2957U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Celeron 2957U
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Quad Q8400
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Celeron 2957U | Core 2 Quad Q8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($128) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Celeron 2957U | Core 2 Quad Q8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($128) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Celeron 2957U and Core 2 Quad Q8400
Celeron 2957U
The Celeron 2957U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 1.4 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,077 points. Launch price was $107.
Core 2 Quad Q8400
The Core 2 Quad Q8400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 0.67 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,076 points. Launch price was $249.
Processing Power
The Celeron 2957U packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core 2 Quad Q8400 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core 2 Quad Q8400 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.4 GHz on the Celeron 2957U versus 0.67 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q8400 — a 70.5% clock advantage for the Celeron 2957U (base: 1.4 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Celeron 2957U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core 2 Quad Q8400 uses Yorkfield (2007−2009) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 2957U scores 2,077 against the Core 2 Quad Q8400's 2,076 — a 0% lead for the Celeron 2957U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 284 vs 369, a 26% lead for the Core 2 Quad Q8400 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron 2957U vs 0 kB on the Core 2 Quad Q8400.
| Feature | Celeron 2957U | Core 2 Quad Q8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 1.4 GHz+109% | 0.67 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1.4 GHz | 2.66 GHz+90% |
| L3 Cache | 2 MB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 4 MB (total)+700% |
| Process | 22 nm-51% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Haswell (2013−2015) | Yorkfield (2007−2009) |
| PassMark | 2,077 | 2,076 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 852 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 284 | 369+30% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,155 |
Memory & Platform
The Celeron 2957U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Quad Q8400 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Celeron 2957U versus DDR3 1333 MHz on the Core 2 Quad Q8400 — the Core 2 Quad Q8400 supports 200% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 10 (Celeron 2957U) vs 0 (Core 2 Quad Q8400) — the Celeron 2957U offers 10 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Wildcat Point-LP (Celeron 2957U) and Intel P45,Intel G41,Intel Q45,Intel X48,Intel G31 (Core 2 Quad Q8400).
| Feature | Celeron 2957U | Core 2 Quad Q8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1168 | LGA775 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+173% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3L-1600 | DDR3 1333 MHz |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 10 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron 2957U) vs true (Core 2 Quad Q8400). The Celeron 2957U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Haswell)), while the Core 2 Quad Q8400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 2957U targets Budget, Core 2 Quad Q8400 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Celeron 2957U rivals Pentium 2117U.
| Feature | Celeron 2957U | Core 2 Quad Q8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics (Haswell) | — |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x | true |
| Target Use | Budget | Desktop |
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