CPU
GPU
Celeron 3965Y
Celeron N3160
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 3965Y is positioned at rank 198 and the Celeron N3160 is on rank 697, so the Celeron 3965Y offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Celeron 3965Y
Performance Per Dollar Celeron N3160
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Celeron 3965Y | Celeron N3160 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Braswell (2015−2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Celeron 3965Y | Celeron N3160 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
Performance Check
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 3965Y and Celeron N3160
Celeron 3965Y
The Celeron 3965Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,201 points. Launch price was $69.
Celeron N3160
The Celeron N3160 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Braswell (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.24 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,195 points. Launch price was $107.
Processing Power
The Celeron 3965Y packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Celeron N3160 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Celeron N3160 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.3 GHz on the Celeron 3965Y versus 2.24 GHz on the Celeron N3160 — a 53.1% clock advantage for the Celeron N3160 (base: 1.5 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Celeron 3965Y uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Celeron N3160 uses Braswell (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 3965Y scores 1,201 against the Celeron N3160's 1,195 — a 0.5% lead for the Celeron 3965Y. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron 3965Y vs 0 kB on the Celeron N3160.
| Feature | Celeron 3965Y | Celeron N3160 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 1.3 GHz | 2.24 GHz+72% |
| Base Clock | 1.5 GHz | 1.6 GHz+7% |
| L3 Cache | 2 MB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 2 MB+300% |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Kaby Lake (2016−2019) | Braswell (2015−2016) |
| PassMark | 1,201 | 1,195 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 372 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 708 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Celeron 3965Y uses the FCBGA1515 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Celeron N3160 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR3-1866 on the Celeron 3965Y versus 1600 on the Celeron N3160 — the Celeron N3160 supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron 3965Y supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 10 (Celeron 3965Y) vs 4 (Celeron N3160) — the Celeron 3965Y offers 6 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SoC (Celeron 3965Y) and FCBGA1170 (Celeron N3160).
| Feature | Celeron 3965Y | Celeron N3160 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1515 | FCBGA1170 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | LPDDR3-1866 | 1600+53233% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB+209715100% | 8 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 10+150% | 4 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Celeron 3965Y) vs true (Celeron N3160). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 615 (Celeron 3965Y) and Intel HD Graphics 400 (Celeron N3160) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 3965Y targets Low Power. Direct competitor: Celeron 3965Y rivals Pentium Gold 4415Y; Celeron N3160 rivals AMD E2-9010.
| Feature | Celeron 3965Y | Celeron N3160 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 615 | Intel HD Graphics 400 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | true |
| Target Use | Low Power | — |
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