Celeron 2961Y vs Celeron G1101

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 2961Y vs Celeron G1101 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 2961Y vs Celeron G1101: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron 2961Y

2013

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,085 vs 1,086).
❌601.4% higher power demand at 512W vs 73W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Celeron G1101.

Celeron G1101

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 73W instead of 512W, a 439W reduction.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Intel Stock), unlike Celeron 2961Y.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $50 MSRP, while Celeron 2961Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G1101 better than Celeron 2961Y?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron 2961Y is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G1101 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G1101 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron G1101 is the better buy right now. Celeron G1101 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $50 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Celeron 2961Y is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (21.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2961Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron 2961Y vs Celeron G1101 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron 2961Y

The Celeron 2961Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 December 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 1.1 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 11.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,085 points. Launch price was $107.

Celeron G1101

The Celeron G1101 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 0.27 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,086 points. Launch price was $85.

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Processing Power

Both the Celeron 2961Y and Celeron G1101 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.1 GHz on the Celeron 2961Y versus 0.27 GHz on the Celeron G1101 — a 121.2% clock advantage for the Celeron 2961Y (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.26 GHz). The Celeron 2961Y uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Celeron G1101 uses Clarkdale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 2961Y scores 1,085 against the Celeron G1101's 1,086 — a 0.1% lead for the Celeron G1101. Both processors carry 2 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Celeron 2961Y	Celeron G1101
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.1 GHz+307%	0.27 GHz
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	2.26 GHz+105%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Clarkdale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,085	1,086
Geekbench 6 Single	—	250
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	450

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron 2961Y uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Celeron G1101 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Celeron 2961Y versus DDR3-1066 on the Celeron G1101 — the Celeron 2961Y supports 50.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron G1101 supports up to 16.38 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 2.4% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Celeron 2961Y) vs 16 (Celeron G1101) — the Celeron G1101 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Wildcat Point-LP (Celeron 2961Y) and H55,3420 (Celeron G1101).

Feature	Celeron 2961Y	Celeron G1101
Socket	FCBGA1168	LGA1156
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600+50%	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	16.38 GB+2%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	12	16+33%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics (Haswell) (Celeron 2961Y) and Intel HD Graphics (Westmere) (Celeron G1101) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 2961Y targets Budget, Celeron G1101 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Celeron 2961Y rivals Pentium 2117U; Celeron G1101 rivals Pentium G6950.