Celeron 2981U vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D

Celeron 2981U

2 Cores2 Thrd512 WWMax: 1.6 GHz2014

Ryzen 7 7800X3D

8 Cores16 Thrd120 WWMax: 5 GHz2023

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Celeron 2981U

2 / 2

1,036

0.0%

34,293

+3210.1%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

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. The Celeron 2981U is positioned at rank #426 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

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 2981U

#414

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

566%

#415

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

558%

#416

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

512%

#417

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

510%

#418

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

505%

#420

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

488%

#421

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

468%

#422

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

467%

#423

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

455%

#426

Celeron 2981U

MSRP: $137|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 7 7800X3D

#197

Ryzen 5 5600X3D

MSRP: $229|Avg: $229

107%

#198

Core i3-9350KF

MSRP: $173|Avg: $80

106%

#199

Ryzen 7 PRO 5755GE

MSRP: $220|Avg: $220

106%

#200

Core i3-9300

MSRP: $143|Avg: $75

106%

#201

Ryzen 7 3800XT

MSRP: $399|Avg: $249

105%

#202

Core i5-11400T

MSRP: $182|Avg: $140

104%

#203

Core i3-10305

MSRP: $149|Avg: $100

103%

#204

Core i3-9320

MSRP: $154|Avg: $80

103%

#205

Core i3-10105

MSRP: $122|Avg: $90

103%

#206

Core i3-13100E

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

102%

#207

Core i9-13900F

MSRP: $524|Avg: $536

102%

#208

Processor 300

MSRP: $82|Avg: $80

102%

#209

Ryzen 5 2600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $145

102%

#210

Ryzen 5 2400GE

MSRP: $169|Avg: $80

101%

#211

Core i9-14900KS

MSRP: $749|Avg: $670

101%

#212

Ryzen 7 7800X3D

MSRP: $449|Avg: $384

100%

#213

Core i3-8100T

MSRP: $117|Avg: $59

100%

#214

Core i7-13700E

MSRP: $390|Avg: $380

100%

#215

Ryzen 7 PRO 5750G

MSRP: $430|Avg: $270

99%

#216

Core i7-9700

MSRP: $333|Avg: $150

99%

#217

Core i5-13500TE

MSRP: $235|Avg: $250

98%

#218

Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G

MSRP: $294|Avg: $76

98%

#219

Ryzen 7 PRO 5845

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

97%

#220

Athlon PRO 300GE

MSRP: $50|Avg: $50

97%

#221

Athlon Gold 3150G

MSRP: $100|Avg: $80

97%

#222

Core i7-9800X

MSRP: $589|Avg: $210

97%

#223

Ryzen 7 4700G

MSRP: $299|Avg: $235

96%

#224

Ryzen 9 5900

MSRP: $549|Avg: $395

96%

#225

Ryzen 5 7600X3D

MSRP: $299|Avg: $300

96%

#226

Ryzen 5 1600X

MSRP: $249|Avg: $144

59%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Ryzen 7 7800X3D (2023) utilizes 5 nm technology and DDR5-5200, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Celeron 2981U	Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($137)	⚠️ Higher cost ($384)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)	✨ Modern (Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) / 5 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Celeron 2981U (2014) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Celeron 2981U	Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+1081%)
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($137)	⚠️ Higher cost ($384)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Celeron 2981U Benchmark Check

Ryzen 7 7800X3D Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Celeron 2981U and Ryzen 7 7800X3D

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.

Ryzen 7 7800X3D

The Ryzen 7 7800X3D is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4.4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 96 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200. Passmark benchmark score: 34,293 points. Launch price was $449.

⚡

Processing Power

The Celeron 2981U packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 7800X3D has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.6 GHz on the Celeron 2981U versus 5 GHz on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D — a 103% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D (base: 1.6 GHz vs 4.4 GHz). The Celeron 2981U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D uses Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 2981U scores 1,036 against the Ryzen 7 7800X3D's 34,293 — a 188.3% lead for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron 2981U vs 96 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D.

Feature	Celeron 2981U	Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	8 / 16+300%
Boost Clock	1.6 GHz	5 GHz+213%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	4.4 GHz+175%
L3 Cache	2 MB	96 MB (total)+4700%
L2 Cache	512 kB	1 MB (per core)+100%
Process	22 nm	5 nm-77%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023)
PassMark	1,036	34,293+3210%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	18,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,700
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	15,000

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron 2981U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D uses AM5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Celeron 2981U versus DDR5-5200 on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D — the Ryzen 7 7800X3D supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 7 7800X3D supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 155.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Celeron 2981U) vs 28 (Ryzen 7 7800X3D) — the Ryzen 7 7800X3D offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Wildcat Point-LP (Celeron 2981U) and X670E,X670,B650E,B650,A620 (Ryzen 7 7800X3D).

Feature	Celeron 2981U	Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Socket	FCBGA1168	AM5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	DDR5-5200+67%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	128 GB+700%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	✅
PCIe Lanes	12	28+133%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 7 7800X3D has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Ryzen 7 7800X3D supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron 2981U) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 7 7800X3D). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics (Haswell) (Celeron 2981U) and AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core) (Ryzen 7 7800X3D) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 2981U targets Budget, Ryzen 7 7800X3D targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Celeron 2981U rivals Pentium 2117U; Ryzen 7 7800X3D rivals Intel Core i7-14700K.