Celeron Dual-Core SU2300 vs Phenom II X3 N850

Celeron Dual-Core SU2300 vs Phenom II X3 N850 Performance Spectrum

Celeron Dual-Core SU2300

2 / 2

1,250

0.0%

1,253

+0.2%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

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 Dual-Core SU2300 vs Phenom II X3 N850 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 Dual-Core SU2300 vs Phenom II X3 N850: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron Dual-Core SU2300

2009

Why buy it

✅Draws 1W instead of 2W, a 1W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (6 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,250 vs 1,253).
❌Launch MSRP is still $134 MSRP, while Phenom II X3 N850 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Phenom II X3 N850

2010

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌50% higher power demand at 1.5W vs 1W.

Quick Answers

So, is Phenom II X3 N850 better than Celeron Dual-Core SU2300?

Yes. Phenom II X3 N850 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you 0.2% 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, Phenom II X3 N850 has the edge because it leads the single-thread side of this matchup with 83.3% higher max boost clock.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X3 N850 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 3 cores and 3 threads.

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

Phenom II X3 N850 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Phenom II X3 N850 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% higher PassMark. Celeron Dual-Core SU2300 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?

Phenom II X3 N850 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 3 cores / 3 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron Dual-Core SU2300 vs Phenom II X3 N850 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron Dual-Core SU2300

The Celeron Dual-Core SU2300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.2 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,250 points. Launch price was $134.

Phenom II X3 N850

The Phenom II X3 N850 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Max frequency: 2.2 GHz. L2 cache: 1.5 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1g4. Thermal design power (TDP): 1.5 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,253 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Celeron Dual-Core SU2300 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Phenom II X3 N850 offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Phenom II X3 N850 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 1.2 GHz on the Celeron Dual-Core SU2300 versus 2.2 GHz on the Phenom II X3 N850 — a 58.8% clock advantage for the Phenom II X3 N850. The Celeron Dual-Core SU2300 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Phenom II X3 N850 uses Champlain (2010−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron Dual-Core SU2300 scores 1,250 against the Phenom II X3 N850's 1,253 — a 0.2% lead for the Phenom II X3 N850.

Feature	Celeron Dual-Core SU2300	Phenom II X3 N850
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	3 / 3+50%
Boost Clock	1.2 GHz	2.2 GHz+83%
L2 Cache	1 MB	1.5 MB+50%
Process	45 nm	45 nm
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Champlain (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,250	1,253
Geekbench 6 Single	150	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	280	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron Dual-Core SU2300 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Phenom II X3 N850 uses S1g4 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron Dual-Core SU2300	Phenom II X3 N850
Socket	BGA956	S1g4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-800	—
Max RAM Capacity	4 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	6	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Celeron Dual-Core SU2300) / not specified (Phenom II X3 N850). Primary use case: Celeron Dual-Core SU2300 targets Legacy Mobile. Direct competitor: Celeron Dual-Core SU2300 rivals Pentium SU4100.