Celeron 3965U vs Pentium Dual Core T2390

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 3965U vs Pentium Dual Core T2390 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 3965U vs Pentium Dual Core T2390: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron 3965U

2017

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (10 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 610, while Pentium Dual Core T2390 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,753 vs 1,771).
❌1400% higher power demand at 15W vs 1W.

Pentium Dual Core T2390

2008

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 1W instead of 15W, a 14W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $86 MSRP, while Celeron 3965U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron 3965U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium Dual Core T2390 better than Celeron 3965U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron 3965U is ahead with a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Dual Core T2390 pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Dual Core T2390 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium Dual Core T2390 is the better buy right now. Pentium Dual Core T2390 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $86 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Celeron 3965U is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (20.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 3965U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2008). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron 3965U vs Pentium Dual Core T2390 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Pentium Dual Core T2390

The Pentium Dual Core T2390 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.86 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,771 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Celeron 3965U and Pentium Dual Core T2390 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Celeron 3965U versus 1.86 GHz on the Pentium Dual Core T2390 — a 16.7% clock advantage for the Celeron 3965U. The Celeron 3965U uses the Kaby Lake-U (2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium Dual Core T2390 uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 3965U scores 1,753 against the Pentium Dual Core T2390's 1,771 — a 1% lead for the Pentium Dual Core T2390.

Feature	Celeron 3965U	Pentium Dual Core T2390
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz+18%	1.86 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	—
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB
Process	14 nm-78%	65 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake-U (2017)	NetBurst (2000−2006)
PassMark	1,753	1,771+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	600	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,200	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron 3965U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium Dual Core T2390 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron 3965U	Pentium Dual Core T2390
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	10	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Celeron 3965U) / not specified (Pentium Dual Core T2390). The Celeron 3965U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 610), while the Pentium Dual Core T2390 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 3965U targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: Celeron 3965U rivals Pentium Gold 4415U.