Celeron 2961Y vs Ryzen 7 5800X

Intel

Celeron 2961Y

2 Cores2 Thrd512 WWMax: 1.1 GHz2013
VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 5800X

8 Cores16 Thrd105 WWMax: 4.7 GHz2020

Celeron 2961Y vs Ryzen 7 5800X Performance Spectrum

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 Ryzen 7 5800X 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 Ryzen 7 5800X: 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

  • βœ…Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics (Haswell), while Ryzen 7 5800X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 5800X across 41 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower PassMark (1,085 vs 27,712).
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 32 MB).
  • ❌387.6% higher power demand at 512W vs 105W.

Ryzen 7 5800X

2020

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +820.6% higher average FPS across 41 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…+1500% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 2 MB).
  • βœ…Draws 105W instead of 512W, a 407W reduction.
  • βœ…100% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Launch MSRP is still $449 MSRP, while Celeron 2961Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • ❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron 2961Y can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 5800X better than Celeron 2961Y?
Yes. Ryzen 7 5800X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 820.6% average FPS lead across 41 shared CPU game tests in our data, 2454.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 5800X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 820.6% more average FPS across 41 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 5800X is the stronger fit. You are getting 2454.1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 1500% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 2 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 5800X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 5800X comes in at an unclear MSRP at $449 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 820.6% average FPS lead across 41 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (61.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 7 5800X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2013), 1500% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 2 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 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 Ryzen 7 5800X Technical Specifications

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

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 (2013βˆ’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.

AMD

Ryzen 7 5800X

The Ryzen 7 5800X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020βˆ’2022) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 27,712 points. Launch price was $449.

⚑

Processing Power

The Celeron 2961Y packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Ryzen 7 5800X offers 8 cores / 16 threads β€” the Ryzen 7 5800X has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.1 GHz on the Celeron 2961Y versus 4.7 GHz on the Ryzen 7 5800X β€” a 124.1% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 5800X (base: 1.1 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Celeron 2961Y uses the Haswell (2013βˆ’2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Ryzen 7 5800X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020βˆ’2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 2961Y scores 1,085 against the Ryzen 7 5800X's 27,712 β€” a 184.9% lead for the Ryzen 7 5800X. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron 2961Y vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 5800X.

FeatureCeleron 2961YRyzen 7 5800X
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
8 / 16+300%
Boost Clock
1.1 GHz
4.7 GHz+327%
Base Clock
1.1 GHz
3.8 GHz+245%
L3 Cache
2 MB (total)
32 MB+1500%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512K (per core)+100%
Process
22 nm
7 nm, 12 nm-68%
Architecture
Haswell (2013βˆ’2015)
Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020βˆ’2022)
PassMark
1,085
27,712+2454%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron 2961Y uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 5800X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Celeron 2961Y versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 5800X β€” the Ryzen 7 5800X supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 7 5800X supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB β€” 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Celeron 2961Y) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 5800X) β€” the Ryzen 7 5800X offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Wildcat Point-LP (Celeron 2961Y) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 5800X).

FeatureCeleron 2961YRyzen 7 5800X
Socket
FCBGA1168
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3L-1600
DDR4-3200+100%
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
128 GB+700%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
12
24+100%
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 7 5800X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking β€” a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron 2961Y) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 7 5800X). The Celeron 2961Y includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Haswell)), while the Ryzen 7 5800X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 2961Y targets Budget, Ryzen 7 5800X targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Celeron 2961Y rivals Pentium 2117U.

FeatureCeleron 2961YRyzen 7 5800X
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
HD Graphics (Haswell)
β€”
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x
AMD-V
Target Use
Budget
Desktop