Celeron 3855U
VS
Core 2 Duo T9900

Celeron 3855U vs Core 2 Duo T9900

Intel

Celeron 3855U

2 Cores2 Thrd15 WWMax: 1.6 GHz2015
VS
Intel

Core 2 Duo T9900

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 0.07 GHz2009

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Celeron 3855U is positioned at rank 193 and the Core 2 Duo T9900 is on rank 635, so the Celeron 3855U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

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 3855U

#181
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
362%
#182
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
357%
#183
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
328%
#184
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
326%
#185
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
323%
#187
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
312%
#188
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
299%
#189
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
299%
#190
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
291%
#193
Celeron 3855U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#194
Pentium Gold 4417U
MSRP: $161|Avg: N/A
100%
#195
Atom N475
MSRP: $75|Avg: N/A
100%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T9900

#187
Core Ultra 9 288V
MSRP: $600|Avg: $600
98%
#188
Core i7-10870H
MSRP: $417|Avg: N/A
98%
#623
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
853%
#624
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
840%
#625
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
772%
#626
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
768%
#627
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
761%
#629
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
735%
#630
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
705%
#631
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
703%
#632
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
685%
#635
Core 2 Duo T9900
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#638
Celeron Dual-Core T1400
MSRP: $80|Avg: $10
99%
#650
Core i5-1345UE
MSRP: $312|Avg: $312
96%
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 Celeron 3855U (2015) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4-1866/2133, LPDDR3-1600/1866, DDR3L-1333/1600, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightCeleron 3855UCore 2 Duo T9900
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo T9900 (2009) relies on 45 nm technology and DDR2, DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightCeleron 3855UCore 2 Duo T9900
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing

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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Celeron 3855U and Core 2 Duo T9900

Intel

Celeron 3855U

The Celeron 3855U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 August 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) 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 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, LPDDR3-1600/1866, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,215 points. Launch price was $107.

Intel

Core 2 Duo T9900

The Core 2 Duo T9900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.06 GHz, with boost up to 0.07 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,204 points. Launch price was $530.

Processing Power

Both the Celeron 3855U and Core 2 Duo T9900 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.6 GHz on the Celeron 3855U versus 0.07 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T9900 — a 183.2% clock advantage for the Celeron 3855U (base: 1.6 GHz vs 3.06 GHz). The Celeron 3855U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T9900 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 3855U scores 1,215 against the Core 2 Duo T9900's 1,204 — a 0.9% lead for the Celeron 3855U. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron 3855U vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T9900.

FeatureCeleron 3855UCore 2 Duo T9900
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 2
Boost Clock
1.6 GHz+2186%
0.07 GHz
Base Clock
1.6 GHz
3.06 GHz+91%
L3 Cache
2 MB
6 MB L2 Cache+200%
L2 Cache
512 kB
6 MB (total)+1100%
Process
14 nm-69%
45 nm
Architecture
Skylake (2015−2016)
Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark
1,215
1,204
Geekbench 6 Single
361
Geekbench 6 Multi
632
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron 3855U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo T9900 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCeleron 3855UCore 2 Duo T9900
Socket
BGA1356
PGA478
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+173%
PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed
DDR4 2133 MHz
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
10
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Celeron 3855U) / not specified (Core 2 Duo T9900). The Celeron 3855U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 510), while the Core 2 Duo T9900 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 3855U targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 3855U rivals Pentium 3825U.

FeatureCeleron 3855UCore 2 Duo T9900
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics 510
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
true
Target Use
Budget