Celeron 887 vs Pentium G3260T

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 887 vs Pentium G3260T 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 887 vs Pentium G3260T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron 887

2012

Why buy it

✅Draws 17W instead of 35W, a 18W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge), while Pentium G3260T needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,877 vs 1,878).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $86 MSRP, while Pentium G3260T mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Pentium G3260T

2015

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

Trade-offs

❌105.9% higher power demand at 35W vs 17W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron 887 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G3260T better than Celeron 887?

Yes. Pentium G3260T is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.1% 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, Pentium G3260T is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.4% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G3260T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Pentium G3260T is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Pentium G3260T comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron 887 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games.

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

Pentium G3260T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012), 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB), 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 887 vs Pentium G3260T Technical Specifications

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

Celeron 887

The Celeron 887 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.5 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,877 points. Launch price was $86.

Pentium G3260T

The Pentium G3260T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency: 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3L-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,878 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Celeron 887 and Pentium G3260T share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. The Celeron 887 is built on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. In PassMark, the Celeron 887 scores 1,877 against the Pentium G3260T's 1,878 — a 0.1% lead for the Pentium G3260T. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron 887 vs 3 MB on the Pentium G3260T.

Feature	Celeron 887	Pentium G3260T
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.5 GHz	—
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	2.9 GHz+93%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	3 MB+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	—
PassMark	1,877	1,878
Geekbench 6 Single	233	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	415	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron 887 uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium G3260T uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron 887	Pentium G3260T
Socket	BGA1023	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Celeron 887) / not specified (Pentium G3260T). The Celeron 887 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)), while the Pentium G3260T requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 887 targets Laptop. Direct competitor: Celeron 887 rivals Pentium 967.