Celeron Dual-Core T1600 vs Core i7-860

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Celeron Dual-Core T1600 is positioned at rank 880 and the Core i7-860 is on rank 986, so the Celeron Dual-Core T1600 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Celeron Dual-Core T1600

#866

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1467%

#867

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1446%

#868

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1327%

#869

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1321%

#870

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1309%

#872

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1264%

#873

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1212%

#874

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1210%

#875

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1178%

#880

Celeron Dual-Core T1600

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

100%

#882

Athlon II N330

MSRP: $100|Avg: $50

100%

#887

Core i7-7820EQ

MSRP: $378|Avg: $378

99%

#888

Celeron 7305

MSRP: $128|Avg: $107

98%

#889

E-300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $20

98%

#890

Core i7-7820HK

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

98%

#893

Pentium B940

MSRP: $134|Avg: $11

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-860

#1

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

29407%

#2

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

27787%

#3

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

20175%

#4

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

6078%

#5

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

4814%

#6

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

4212%

#7

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

2412%

#8

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

2381%

#9

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

2168%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

2168%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

2143%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

2085%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

2056%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

2048%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

2029%

#304

Core i7-6950X

MSRP: $1723|Avg: $180

96%

#986

Core i7-860

MSRP: $284|Avg: $30

100%

#987

Core i7-870

MSRP: $300|Avg: $80

100%

#988

Athlon 64 X2 5000+

MSRP: $136|Avg: $42

99%

#989

Core i3-6102E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $35

98%

#990

Pentium Dual-Core E2160

MSRP: $84|Avg: $5

98%

#991

Pentium Dual-Core E2210

MSRP: $98|Avg: $15

97%

#992

Core 2 Duo E7500

MSRP: $113|Avg: $10

97%

#993

Core 2 Quad Q9505

MSRP: $213|Avg: $150

96%

#996

Core i7-930

MSRP: $294|Avg: $20

96%

#997

Core i7-920

MSRP: $284|Avg: $79

95%

#998

Core i7-4960X

MSRP: $990|Avg: $136

95%

#999

Pentium Dual-Core E2200

MSRP: $100|Avg: $25

93%

#1001

Core 2 Duo E4400

MSRP: $113|Avg: $20

91%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i7-860 delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Celeron Dual-Core T1600 in both compute-intensive tasks (0.4% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Celeron Dual-Core T1600	Core i7-860
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($150)	✅ More affordable ($30)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Merom (2006−2008) / 65 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Lynnfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i7-860 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 80% cheaper ($30 vs $150) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Celeron Dual-Core T1600	Core i7-860
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+402%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($150)	✅ More affordable ($30)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Celeron Dual-Core T1600 Benchmark Check

Core i7-860 Benchmark Check

Loading...

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Celeron Dual-Core T1600 and Core i7-860

Celeron Dual-Core T1600

The Celeron Dual-Core T1600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Merom (2006−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.66 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 3,000 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i7-860

The Core i7-860 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,011 points. Launch price was $229.

⚡

Processing Power

The Celeron Dual-Core T1600 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core i7-860 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-860 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.66 GHz on the Celeron Dual-Core T1600 versus 3.46 GHz on the Core i7-860 — a 70.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-860. The Celeron Dual-Core T1600 uses the Merom (2006−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i7-860 uses Lynnfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron Dual-Core T1600 scores 3,000 against the Core i7-860's 3,011 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-860.

Feature	Celeron Dual-Core T1600	Core i7-860
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	1.66 GHz	3.46 GHz+108%
Base Clock	—	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	—	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	65 nm	45 nm-31%
Architecture	Merom (2006−2008)	Lynnfield (2009−2010)
PassMark	3,000	3,011

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron Dual-Core T1600 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i7-860 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron Dual-Core T1600	Core i7-860
Socket	PGA478	LGA1156
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	667	—
Max RAM Capacity	4	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	0	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: false (Celeron Dual-Core T1600) / not specified (Core i7-860). Primary use case: Celeron Dual-Core T1600 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron Dual-Core T1600 rivals Pentium T2390.

Feature	Celeron Dual-Core T1600	Core i7-860
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	false	—
Target Use	Budget	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Celeron Dual-Core T1600 launched at $150 MSRP, while the Core i7-860 debuted at $284. At current prices ($150 vs $30), the Core i7-860 is $120 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron Dual-Core T1600 delivers 20.0 pts/$ vs 100.4 pts/$ for the Core i7-860 — making the Core i7-860 the 133.5% better value option.