Celeron B720 vs Pentium D 915

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 B720 vs Pentium D 915 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 B720 vs Pentium D 915: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron B720

2012

Why buy it

✅Costs $4 less on MSRP ($70 MSRP vs $74 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge), while Pentium D 915 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium D 915 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (665 vs 705).

Pentium D 915

2006

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌
5.7% HIGHER MSRP
$74 MSRPvs$70 MSRP
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron B720 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium D 915 better than Celeron B720?

Yes. Pentium D 915 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 6% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium D 915 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.3% 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 D 915 is the stronger fit. You are getting 6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium D 915 is the better buy right now. Pentium D 915 comes in 5.7% more expensive on MSRP at $74 MSRP versus $70 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 0.3% better value on MSRP (9.5 vs 9.5 PassMark/$), 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 B720 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2006). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron B720 vs Pentium D 915 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron B720

The Celeron B720 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 1.7 GHz. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: G2. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 665 points. Launch price was $70.

Pentium D 915

The Pentium D 915 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 July 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 705 points. Launch price was $74.

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Processing Power

The Celeron B720 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Pentium D 915 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Pentium D 915 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 1.7 GHz on the Celeron B720 versus 2.8 GHz on the Pentium D 915 — a 48.9% clock advantage for the Pentium D 915 (base: 1.7 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Celeron B720 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium D 915 uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron B720 scores 665 against the Pentium D 915's 705 — a 5.8% lead for the Pentium D 915. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (total) on the Celeron B720 vs 0 kB on the Pentium D 915.

Feature	Celeron B720	Pentium D 915
Cores / Threads	1 / 1	2 / 2+100%
Boost Clock	1.7 GHz	2.8 GHz+65%
Base Clock	1.7 GHz	2.8 GHz+65%
L3 Cache	1.5 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	2 MB (total)+700%
Process	32 nm-51%	65 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	NetBurst (2000−2006)
PassMark	665	705+6%

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron B720 uses the G2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium D 915 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron B720	Pentium D 915
Socket	G2	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
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 B720) / not specified (Pentium D 915). The Celeron B720 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)), while the Pentium D 915 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron B720 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron B720 rivals Pentium 967.

Feature	Celeron B720	Pentium D 915
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Budget	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron B720 was priced at $70, while the Pentium D 915 came in at $74. On launch pricing ($70 vs $74), Celeron B720 was $4 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron B720 delivers 9.5 pts/$ vs 9.5 pts/$ for the Pentium D 915 — making the Pentium D 915 the 0.3% better value option.

Feature	Celeron B720	Pentium D 915
MSRP	$70-5%	$74
Performance per Dollar	9.5	9.5
Release Date	2012	2006

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