Celeron 3965Y vs Pentium E6600

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 3965Y vs Pentium E6600 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 3965Y vs Pentium E6600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron 3965Y

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 6W instead of 65W, a 59W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (10 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 615, while Pentium E6600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

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

Pentium E6600

2010

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,194 vs 1,201).
❌Launch MSRP is still $84 MSRP, while Celeron 3965Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌983.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 6W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron 3965Y can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron 3965Y better than Pentium E6600?

Yes. Celeron 3965Y is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 49 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 3965Y is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.3% more average FPS across 49 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron 3965Y 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 3965Y is still the much better call for a fresh build. Celeron 3965Y comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $84 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium E6600 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (14.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA775.

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

Celeron 3965Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron 3965Y vs Pentium E6600 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Pentium E6600

The Pentium E6600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 17 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.06 GHz, with boost up to 0.07 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,194 points. Launch price was $16.

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Processing Power

Both the Celeron 3965Y and Pentium E6600 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.3 GHz on the Celeron 3965Y versus 0.07 GHz on the Pentium E6600 — a 179.6% clock advantage for the Celeron 3965Y (base: 1.5 GHz vs 3.06 GHz). The Celeron 3965Y uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium E6600 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 3965Y scores 1,201 against the Pentium E6600's 1,194 — a 0.6% lead for the Celeron 3965Y. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron 3965Y vs 0 kB on the Pentium E6600.

Feature	Celeron 3965Y	Pentium E6600
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.3 GHz+1757%	0.07 GHz
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	3.06 GHz+104%
L3 Cache	2 MB	0 kB
L2 Cache	512 kB	2 MB (total)+300%
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Wolfdale (2008−2010)
PassMark	1,201	1,194
Geekbench 6 Single	372	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	708	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron 3965Y uses the FCBGA1515 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium E6600 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron 3965Y	Pentium E6600
Socket	FCBGA1515	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR3-1866	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	10	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Celeron 3965Y) / not specified (Pentium E6600). The Celeron 3965Y includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 615), while the Pentium E6600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 3965Y targets Low Power. Direct competitor: Celeron 3965Y rivals Pentium Gold 4415Y.