Celeron 3965U
VS
Core Duo T2600

Celeron 3965U vs Core Duo T2600

Intel

Celeron 3965U

2 Cores2 Thrd15 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2017
VS
Intel

Core Duo T2600

2 Cores2 Thrd2 WWMax: 2.16 GHz2006

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 3965U is positioned at rank 265 and the Core Duo T2600 is on rank 350, so the Celeron 3965U 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 3965U

#73
Core i9-13950HX
MSRP: $590|Avg: $199
99%
#253
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
418%
#254
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
412%
#255
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
378%
#256
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
377%
#257
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
373%
#259
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
361%
#260
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
346%
#261
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
345%
#262
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
336%
#265
Celeron 3965U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#277
Core 2 Extreme X9100
MSRP: $851|Avg: N/A
98%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core Duo T2600

#101
Core i5-1350P
MSRP: $320|Avg: $250
100%
#102
Core i3-1220P
MSRP: $250|Avg: $150
99%
#107
Core Ultra 5 228V
MSRP: $295|Avg: $295
98%
#338
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
499%
#339
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
491%
#340
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
451%
#341
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
449%
#342
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
445%
#344
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
430%
#345
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
412%
#346
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
411%
#347
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
400%
#350
Core Duo T2600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
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 3965U (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightCeleron 3965UCore Duo T2600
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing
Longevity
✨ Modern (Kaby Lake-U (2017) / 14 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Yonah (2005−2006) / 65 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core Duo T2600 (2006) relies on 65 nm technology and DDR1, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightCeleron 3965UCore Duo T2600
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 3965U and Core Duo T2600

Intel

Celeron 3965U

The Celeron 3965U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-U (2017) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,753 points. Launch price was $107.

Intel

Core Duo T2600

The Core Duo T2600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 January 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the Yonah (2005−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.16 GHz, with boost up to 2.16 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 31 Watt. Memory support: DDR1. Passmark benchmark score: 1,765 points. Launch price was $440.

Processing Power

Both the Celeron 3965U and Core Duo T2600 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Celeron 3965U versus 2.16 GHz on the Core Duo T2600 — a 1.8% clock advantage for the Celeron 3965U (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.16 GHz). The Celeron 3965U uses the Kaby Lake-U (2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Duo T2600 uses Yonah (2005−2006) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 3965U scores 1,753 against the Core Duo T2600's 1,765 — a 0.7% lead for the Core Duo T2600. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron 3965U vs 0 kB on the Core Duo T2600.

FeatureCeleron 3965UCore Duo T2600
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 2
Boost Clock
2.2 GHz+2%
2.16 GHz
Base Clock
2.2 GHz+2%
2.16 GHz
L3 Cache
2 MB (total)
0 kB
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
2 MB+700%
Process
14 nm-78%
65 nm
Architecture
Kaby Lake-U (2017)
Yonah (2005−2006)
PassMark
1,753
1,765
Geekbench 6 Single
600
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,200
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron 3965U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core Duo T2600 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCeleron 3965UCore Duo T2600
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
PCIe Lanes
10
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Celeron 3965U) / not specified (Core Duo T2600). The Celeron 3965U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 610), while the Core Duo T2600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 3965U targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: Celeron 3965U rivals Pentium Gold 4415U.

FeatureCeleron 3965UCore Duo T2600
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics 610
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x
Target Use
Budget Laptop