Celeron B815 vs Phenom II X4 820

CPU

GPU

Celeron B815

2 Cores2 Thrd0 WWMax: 1.6 GHz2012

Similar parts

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Phenom II X4 820

4 Cores4 Thrd95 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2009

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Celeron B815 vs Phenom II X4 820 Performance Spectrum

Celeron B815

2 / 2

2,093

0.0%

2,114

+1.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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.

Celeron B815 vs Phenom II X4 820 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 B815 vs Phenom II X4 820: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron B815

2012

Why buy it

✅Costs $64 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
✅Delivers 72.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 24.3 vs 14.1 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge), while Phenom II X4 820 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,093 vs 2,114).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 4 MB).

Phenom II X4 820

2009

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.1 vs 24.3 PassMark/$ ($150 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron B815 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Phenom II X4 820 better than Celeron B815?

Yes. Phenom II X4 820 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Phenom II X4 820 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.1% 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, Phenom II X4 820 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Phenom II X4 820 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Phenom II X4 820 comes in 74.4% more expensive on MSRP at $150 MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron B815 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 72.7% better value on paper (24.3 vs 14.1 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA988.

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

Celeron B815 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron B815 vs Phenom II X4 820 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron B815

The Celeron B815 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 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,093 points. Launch price was $86.

Phenom II X4 820

The Phenom II X4 820 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,114 points. Launch price was $90.

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Processing Power

The Celeron B815 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Phenom II X4 820 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X4 820 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.6 GHz on the Celeron B815 versus 2.8 GHz on the Phenom II X4 820 — a 54.5% clock advantage for the Phenom II X4 820 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Celeron B815 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Phenom II X4 820 uses Deneb (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron B815 scores 2,093 against the Phenom II X4 820's 2,114 — a 1% lead for the Phenom II X4 820. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron B815 vs 4 MB (total) on the Phenom II X4 820.

Feature	Celeron B815	Phenom II X4 820
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	1.6 GHz	2.8 GHz+75%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2.8 GHz+75%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	4 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Deneb (2009−2011)
PassMark	2,093	2,114+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron B815 uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Phenom II X4 820 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron B815	Phenom II X4 820
Socket	PGA988	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
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 B815) / not specified (Phenom II X4 820). The Celeron B815 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)), while the Phenom II X4 820 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron B815 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron B815 rivals Pentium 967.

Feature	Celeron B815	Phenom II X4 820
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 B815 was priced at $86, while the Phenom II X4 820 came in at $150. On launch pricing ($86 vs $150), Celeron B815 was $64 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron B815 delivers 24.3 pts/$ vs 14.1 pts/$ for the Phenom II X4 820 — making the Celeron B815 the 53.3% better value option.

Feature	Celeron B815	Phenom II X4 820
MSRP	$86-43%	$150
Performance per Dollar	24.3+72%	14.1
Release Date	2012	2009

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