Celeron 2981U vs Core 2 Duo E6750

Intel

Celeron 2981U

2 Cores2 Thrd512 WWMax: 1.6 GHz2014
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core 2 Duo E6750

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.67 GHz2007
Similar parts
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Celeron 2981U vs Core 2 Duo E6750 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 2981U vs Core 2 Duo E6750 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 2981U vs Core 2 Duo E6750: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Celeron 2981U

2014

Why buy it

  • +0.7% higher PassMark.
  • Costs $46 less on MSRP ($137 MSRP vs $183 MSRP).
  • Delivers 34.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 7.6 vs 5.6 PassMark/$ ($137 MSRP vs $183 MSRP).
  • Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics (Haswell), while Core 2 Duo E6750 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • 687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core 2 Duo E6750.

Core 2 Duo E6750

2007

Why buy it

  • Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
  • 33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Celeron 2981U.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,029 vs 1,036).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.6 vs 7.6 PassMark/$ ($183 MSRP vs $137 MSRP).
  • No integrated graphics, while Celeron 2981U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron 2981U better than Core 2 Duo E6750?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core 2 Duo E6750 is ahead with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron 2981U pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron 2981U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Celeron 2981U is the better buy right now. Celeron 2981U comes in $46 cheaper on MSRP at $137 MSRP versus $183 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core 2 Duo E6750 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 34.5% better value on MSRP (7.6 vs 5.6 PassMark/$), 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 2981U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2007) 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 2981U vs Core 2 Duo E6750 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Celeron 2981U

The Celeron 2981U 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 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,036 points. Launch price was $69.

Intel

Core 2 Duo E6750

The Core 2 Duo E6750 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Conroe (2006−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 2.67 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,029 points. Launch price was $249.

Processing Power

Both the Celeron 2981U and Core 2 Duo E6750 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.6 GHz on the Celeron 2981U versus 2.67 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E6750 — a 50.1% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E6750 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Celeron 2981U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core 2 Duo E6750 uses Conroe (2006−2007) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 2981U scores 1,036 against the Core 2 Duo E6750's 1,029 — a 0.7% lead for the Celeron 2981U. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron 2981U vs 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo E6750.

FeatureCeleron 2981UCore 2 Duo E6750
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 2
Boost Clock
1.6 GHz
2.67 GHz+67%
Base Clock
1.6 GHz
2.66 GHz+66%
L3 Cache
2 MB
0 kB
L2 Cache
512 kB
4 MB+700%
Process
22 nm-66%
65 nm
Architecture
Haswell (2013−2015)
Conroe (2006−2007)
PassMark
1,036
1,029
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron 2981U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo E6750 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Celeron 2981U versus 1333 on the Core 2 Duo E6750 — the Celeron 2981U supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Celeron 2981U) vs 16 (Core 2 Duo E6750) — the Core 2 Duo E6750 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Wildcat Point-LP (Celeron 2981U) and P35,G31,G33,P45 (Core 2 Duo E6750).

FeatureCeleron 2981UCore 2 Duo E6750
Socket
FCBGA1168
LGA775
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+173%
PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed
DDR3L-1600+20%
1333
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
12
16+33%
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron 2981U) vs true (Core 2 Duo E6750). The Celeron 2981U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Haswell)), while the Core 2 Duo E6750 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 2981U targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 2981U rivals Pentium 2117U; Core 2 Duo E6750 rivals Phenom X3 8450.

FeatureCeleron 2981UCore 2 Duo E6750
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
HD Graphics (Haswell)
None
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x
true
Target Use
Budget
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron 2981U was priced at $137, while the Core 2 Duo E6750 came in at $183. On launch pricing ($137 vs $183), Celeron 2981U was $46 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron 2981U delivers 7.6 pts/$ vs 5.6 pts/$ for the Core 2 Duo E6750 — making the Celeron 2981U the 29.4% better value option.

FeatureCeleron 2981UCore 2 Duo E6750
MSRP
$137-25%
$183
Performance per Dollar
7.6+36%
5.6
Release Date
2014
2007

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