Celeron 2961Y
VS
Core i7-620UM

Celeron 2961Y vs Core i7-620UM

Intel

Celeron 2961Y

2 Cores2 Thrd512 WWMax: 1.1 GHz2013
VS
Intel

Core i7-620UM

2 Cores4 Thrd18 WWMax: 2.13 GHz2010

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 2961Y is positioned at rank 397 and the Core i7-620UM is on rank 1228, so the Celeron 2961Y offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Celeron 2961Y

#120
Core i7-11850HE
MSRP: $400|Avg: $75
98%
#385
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
541%
#386
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
533%
#387
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
489%
#388
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
487%
#389
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
483%
#391
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
466%
#392
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
447%
#393
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
446%
#394
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
434%
#397
Celeron 2961Y
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-620UM

#1216
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
7485%
#1217
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
7375%
#1218
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
6770%
#1219
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
6740%
#1220
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
6678%
#1222
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
6449%
#1223
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
6184%
#1224
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
6173%
#1225
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
6008%
#1228
Core i7-620UM
MSRP: $278|Avg: N/A
100%
#1230
Celeron 570
MSRP: $134|Avg: $15
96%
#1231
Core i7-820QM
MSRP: $546|Avg: N/A
85%
#1233
Core Duo T2700
MSRP: $663|Avg: N/A
72%
#1235
Pentium SU4100
MSRP: $289|Avg: $15
60%
#1236
Core Solo T1400
MSRP: $200|Avg: $5
55%
#1237
Core i7-940XM
MSRP: $1096|Avg: N/A
53%
#1238
Core Solo T1350
MSRP: $200|Avg: $70
52%
#1240
Core Solo T1300
MSRP: $209|Avg: $10
47%
#1241
Core Solo T1200
MSRP: $209|Avg: $10
43%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i7-620UM delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Celeron 2961Y in both compute-intensive tasks (0.6% faster) and gaming workloads.
InsightCeleron 2961YCore i7-620UM
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($278)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCeleron 2961YCore i7-620UM
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($278)

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Celeron 2961Y and Core i7-620UM

Intel

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.

Intel

Core i7-620UM

The Core i7-620UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.06 GHz, with boost up to 2.13 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800. Passmark benchmark score: 1,091 points. Launch price was $278.

Processing Power

The Celeron 2961Y packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i7-620UM's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.1 GHz on the Celeron 2961Y versus 2.13 GHz on the Core i7-620UM — a 63.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-620UM (base: 1.1 GHz vs 1.06 GHz). The Celeron 2961Y uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-620UM uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 2961Y scores 1,085 against the Core i7-620UM's 1,091 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i7-620UM. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron 2961Y vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-620UM.

FeatureCeleron 2961YCore i7-620UM
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 4
Boost Clock
1.1 GHz
2.13 GHz+94%
Base Clock
1.1 GHz+4%
1.06 GHz
L3 Cache
2 MB (total)
4 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
256 kB (per core)
Process
22 nm-31%
32 nm
Architecture
Haswell (2013−2015)
Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark
1,085
1,091
Geekbench 6 Single
350
Geekbench 6 Multi
700
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron 2961Y uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-620UM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3L-1600 memory speed. The Celeron 2961Y supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Celeron 2961Y) vs 16 (Core i7-620UM) — the Core i7-620UM offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Wildcat Point-LP (Celeron 2961Y) and HM55,QM57 (Core i7-620UM).

FeatureCeleron 2961YCore i7-620UM
Socket
FCBGA1168
BGA1288
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3L-1600
DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB+100%
8 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
12
16+33%
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x virtualization. Both include integrated graphics HD Graphics (Haswell) (Celeron 2961Y) and Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) (Core i7-620UM) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 2961Y targets Budget, Core i7-620UM targets Ultra-Portable Laptop. Direct competitor: Celeron 2961Y rivals Pentium 2117U; Core i7-620UM rivals Core 2 Duo SU9600.

FeatureCeleron 2961YCore i7-620UM
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics (Haswell)
Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x
VT-x
Target Use
Budget
Ultra-Portable Laptop