Celeron 3965U
VS
Pentium Dual Core T2390

Celeron 3965U vs Pentium Dual Core T2390

Intel

Celeron 3965U

2 Cores2 Thrd15 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2017
VS
Intel

Pentium Dual Core T2390

2 Cores2 Thrd1 WWMax: 1.86 GHz2008

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 Pentium Dual Core T2390 is on rank 863, 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 Pentium Dual Core T2390

#851
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
1425%
#852
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
1404%
#853
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1289%
#854
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1283%
#855
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
1271%
#857
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1228%
#858
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1177%
#859
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1175%
#860
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1144%
#863
Pentium Dual Core T2390
MSRP: $86|Avg: $5
100%
#867
Core i7-1160G7
MSRP: $426|Avg: N/A
99%
#873
Celeron M 540
MSRP: $86|Avg: $20
98%
#877
Microsoft SQ1
MSRP: $300|Avg: $180
98%
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 3965UPentium Dual Core T2390
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($5)
Longevity
✨ Modern (Kaby Lake-U (2017) / 14 nm)
🛑 Legacy (NetBurst (2000−2006) / 65 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Pentium Dual Core T2390 (2008) relies on 65 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightCeleron 3965UPentium Dual Core T2390
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($5)

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 Pentium Dual Core T2390

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

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.

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.

FeatureCeleron 3965UPentium 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)
1 MB+300%
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
🧠

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.

FeatureCeleron 3965UPentium 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
PCIe Lanes
10
🔧

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.

FeatureCeleron 3965UPentium Dual Core T2390
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics 610
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x
Target Use
Budget Laptop