Celeron 2961Y vs Celeron G550T

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 G550T 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 G550T: 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

✅+1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.

Celeron G550T

2011

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,074 vs 1,085).
❌Launch MSRP is still $42 MSRP, while Celeron 2961Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G550T better than Celeron 2961Y?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron G550T is ahead with 100% higher max boost clock. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron 2961Y pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron 2961Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron G550T is the better buy right now. Celeron G550T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $42 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 100% higher max boost clock. The compromise is that Celeron 2961Y is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (25.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron 2961Y vs Celeron G550T 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 G550T

The Celeron G550T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,074 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Celeron 2961Y and Celeron G550T share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.1 GHz on the Celeron 2961Y versus 2.2 GHz on the Celeron G550T — a 66.7% clock advantage for the Celeron G550T (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Celeron 2961Y uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Celeron G550T uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 2961Y scores 1,085 against the Celeron G550T's 1,074 — a 1% lead for the Celeron 2961Y. Both processors carry 2 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Celeron 2961Y	Celeron G550T
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.1 GHz	2.2 GHz+100%
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	2.2 GHz+100%
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)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,085+1%	1,074
Geekbench 6 Single	—	366
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	656

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron 2961Y uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Celeron G550T uses LGA1155 (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 G550T — the Celeron 2961Y supports 50.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron G550T supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Celeron 2961Y) vs 16 (Celeron G550T) — the Celeron G550T offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Wildcat Point-LP (Celeron 2961Y) and H61,B65,H67,Z68 (Celeron G550T).

Feature	Celeron 2961Y	Celeron G550T
Socket	FCBGA1168	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600+50%	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	32 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
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 HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge) (Celeron G550T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 2961Y targets Budget, Celeron G550T targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 2961Y rivals Pentium 2117U; Celeron G550T rivals Pentium G630T.