Celeron 2957U vs Core 2 Quad Q8400

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 2957U vs Core 2 Quad Q8400 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 2957U vs Core 2 Quad Q8400: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron 2957U

2014

Why buy it

✅+0% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (10 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics (Haswell), while Core 2 Quad Q8400 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core 2 Quad Q8400 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌438.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 95W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core 2 Quad Q8400.

Core 2 Quad Q8400

2009

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 95W instead of 512W, a 417W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Celeron 2957U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,076 vs 2,077).
❌Launch MSRP is still $183 MSRP, while Celeron 2957U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron 2957U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Quad Q8400 better than Celeron 2957U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core 2 Quad Q8400 is ahead with a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron 2957U pulls ahead with 0% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron 2957U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Core 2 Quad Q8400 is the better buy right now. Core 2 Quad Q8400 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $183 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Celeron 2957U is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (11.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Celeron 2957U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron 2957U vs Core 2 Quad Q8400 Technical Specifications

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

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.

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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

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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 Celeron 2957U supports 20% 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+20%	DDR3 1333 MHz
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	10	0

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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.