Celeron B730 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 B730 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 B730 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 B730

2012

Why buy it

✅+1.4% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $4 less on MSRP ($70 MSRP vs $74 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 95W, a 60W reduction.
✅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

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

Pentium D 915

2006

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (705 vs 715).
❌
5.7% HIGHER MSRP
$74 MSRPvs$70 MSRP
❌171.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron B730 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron B730 better than Pentium D 915?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium D 915 is ahead with a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron B730 pulls ahead with 1.4% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron B730 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 1 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron B730 is the better buy right now. Celeron B730 comes in $4 cheaper on MSRP at $70 MSRP versus $74 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Pentium D 915 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 7.2% better value on MSRP (10.2 vs 9.5 PassMark/$), 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 B730 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2006) and more multi-core headroom with 1 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 B730 vs Pentium D 915 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron B730

The Celeron B730 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 July 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 1 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: G2. Thermal design power (TDP): 256 kB + 1.5 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 715 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 B730 packs 1 cores / 2 threads, while the Pentium D 915 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Pentium D 915 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 1.8 GHz on the Celeron B730 versus 2.8 GHz on the Pentium D 915 — a 43.5% clock advantage for the Pentium D 915. The Celeron B730 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium D 915 uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron B730 scores 715 against the Pentium D 915's 705 — a 1.4% lead for the Celeron B730. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (total) on the Celeron B730 vs 0 kB on the Pentium D 915.

Feature	Celeron B730	Pentium D 915
Cores / Threads	1 / 2	2 / 2+100%
Boost Clock	1.8 GHz	2.8 GHz+56%
Base Clock	—	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	1.5 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB (total)
Process	32 nm-51%	65 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	NetBurst (2000−2006)
PassMark	715+1%	705

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron B730 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 B730	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 B730) / not specified (Pentium D 915). The Celeron B730 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)), while the Pentium D 915 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron B730 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron B730 rivals Pentium 967.

Feature	Celeron B730	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 B730 was priced at $70, while the Pentium D 915 came in at $74. On launch pricing ($70 vs $74), Celeron B730 was $4 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron B730 delivers 10.2 pts/$ vs 9.5 pts/$ for the Pentium D 915 — making the Celeron B730 the 7% better value option.

Feature	Celeron B730	Pentium D 915
MSRP	$70-5%	$74
Performance per Dollar	10.2+7%	9.5
Release Date	2012	2006

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