Celeron 2961Y vs Phenom X3 8250e

Celeron 2961Y vs Phenom X3 8250e Performance Spectrum

Celeron 2961Y

2 / 2

1,085

+0.1%

1,084

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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.

Celeron 2961Y vs Phenom X3 8250e 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 Phenom X3 8250e: 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

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics (Haswell), while Phenom X3 8250e needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.

Phenom X3 8250e

2008

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,084 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 Phenom X3 8250e?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Phenom X3 8250e is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 41 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron 2961Y 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 2961Y 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 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 0.1% 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 a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2008) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 3/3. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron 2961Y vs Phenom X3 8250e 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.

Phenom X3 8250e

The Phenom X3 8250e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Toliman (2008) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Max frequency: 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: AM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,084 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Celeron 2961Y packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Phenom X3 8250e offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Phenom X3 8250e has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 1.1 GHz on the Celeron 2961Y versus 1.9 GHz on the Phenom X3 8250e — a 53.3% clock advantage for the Phenom X3 8250e. The Celeron 2961Y uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Phenom X3 8250e uses Toliman (2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 2961Y scores 1,085 against the Phenom X3 8250e's 1,084 — a 0.1% lead for the Celeron 2961Y. Both processors carry 2 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Celeron 2961Y	Phenom X3 8250e
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	3 / 3+50%
Boost Clock	1.1 GHz	1.9 GHz+73%
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	—
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	22 nm-66%	65 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Toliman (2008)
PassMark	1,085	1,084

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron 2961Y uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom X3 8250e uses AM2+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron 2961Y	Phenom X3 8250e
Socket	FCBGA1168	AM2+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
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 (Phenom X3 8250e). The Celeron 2961Y includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Haswell)), while the Phenom X3 8250e requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 2961Y targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 2961Y rivals Pentium 2117U.