Celeron 3955U vs Pentium M 740

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 3955U vs Pentium M 740 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 3955U vs Pentium M 740: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron 3955U

2015

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 27W, a 12W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 510, while Pentium M 740 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Pentium M 740

2005

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,435 vs 1,443).
❌80% higher power demand at 27W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron 3955U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron 3955U better than Pentium M 740?

Yes. Celeron 3955U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.6% 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, Celeron 3955U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.5% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron 3955U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Celeron 3955U still makes the most sense overall. Celeron 3955U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Celeron 3955U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2005) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 1/1. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron 3955U vs Pentium M 740 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron 3955U

The Celeron 3955U 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 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 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: 1,443 points. Launch price was $107.

Pentium M 740

The Pentium M 740 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Dothan (2004−2005) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Base frequency is 1.73 GHz, with boost up to 1.73 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 27 Watt. Memory support: DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 1,435 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Celeron 3955U packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Pentium M 740 offers 1 cores / 1 threads — the Celeron 3955U has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Celeron 3955U versus 1.73 GHz on the Pentium M 740 — a 14.5% clock advantage for the Celeron 3955U (base: 2 GHz vs 1.73 GHz). The Celeron 3955U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium M 740 uses Dothan (2004−2005) (90 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 3955U scores 1,443 against the Pentium M 740's 1,435 — a 0.6% lead for the Celeron 3955U. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron 3955U vs 0 kB on the Pentium M 740.

Feature	Celeron 3955U	Pentium M 740
Cores / Threads	2 / 2+100%	1 / 1
Boost Clock	2 GHz+16%	1.73 GHz
Base Clock	2 GHz+16%	1.73 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB	0 kB
L2 Cache	512 kB	2 MB+300%
Process	14 nm-84%	90 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Dothan (2004−2005)
PassMark	1,443	1,435
Geekbench 6 Single	431	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	741	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron 3955U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium M 740 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron 3955U	Pentium M 740
Socket	BGA1356	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Celeron 3955U) / not specified (Pentium M 740). The Celeron 3955U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 510), while the Pentium M 740 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 3955U targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 3955U rivals Pentium 3825U.