Celeron 2961Y vs Pentium 3556U

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 Pentium 3556U 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 Pentium 3556U: 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

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics (Haswell), while Pentium 3556U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Pentium 3556U

2013

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,072 vs 1,085).
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron 2961Y can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron 2961Y better than Pentium 3556U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium 3556U is ahead with 54.5% higher max boost clock. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron 2961Y pulls ahead with 1.2% 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 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron 2961Y still makes the most sense overall. Celeron 2961Y comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.2% better PassMark.

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

Celeron 2961Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 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 Pentium 3556U 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.

Pentium 3556U

The Pentium 3556U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 1.7 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,072 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Celeron 2961Y and Pentium 3556U share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.1 GHz on the Celeron 2961Y versus 1.7 GHz on the Pentium 3556U — a 42.9% clock advantage for the Pentium 3556U (base: 1.1 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). Both are built on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Celeron 2961Y scores 1,085 against the Pentium 3556U's 1,072 — a 1.2% lead for the Celeron 2961Y. Both processors carry 2 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Celeron 2961Y	Pentium 3556U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.1 GHz	1.7 GHz+55%
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	1.7 GHz+55%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	1,085+1%	1,072

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the FCBGA1168 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Celeron 2961Y	Pentium 3556U
Socket	FCBGA1168	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Celeron 2961Y) / not specified (Pentium 3556U). The Celeron 2961Y includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Haswell)), while the Pentium 3556U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 2961Y targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 2961Y rivals Pentium 2117U.