Celeron Dual-Core T1600 vs Core i7-930

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 T1600 vs Core i7-930 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 T1600 vs Core i7-930: 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 T1600

2008

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $144 less on MSRP ($150 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
✅Delivers 96.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 20.0 vs 10.2 PassMark/$ ($150 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
✅Draws 1W instead of 130W, a 129W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-930 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Core i7-930

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (36 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,993 vs 3,000).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.2 vs 20.0 PassMark/$ ($294 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
❌12900% higher power demand at 130W vs 1W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron Dual-Core T1600 better than Core i7-930?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-930 is ahead with a 7.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron Dual-Core T1600 pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron Dual-Core T1600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron Dual-Core T1600 is the better buy right now. Celeron Dual-Core T1600 comes in $144 cheaper on MSRP at $150 MSRP versus $294 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-930 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 7.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 96.5% better value on MSRP (20.0 vs 10.2 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i7-930 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2008). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron Dual-Core T1600 vs Core i7-930 Technical Specifications

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

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 i7-930

The Core i7-930 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 February 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.06 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,993 points. Launch price was $80.

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Processing Power

The Celeron Dual-Core T1600 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core i7-930 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-930 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.66 GHz on the Celeron Dual-Core T1600 versus 3.06 GHz on the Core i7-930 — a 59.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-930. The Celeron Dual-Core T1600 uses the Merom (2006−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i7-930 uses Bloomfield (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron Dual-Core T1600 scores 3,000 against the Core i7-930's 2,993 — a 0.2% lead for the Celeron Dual-Core T1600.

Feature	Celeron Dual-Core T1600	Core i7-930
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	1.66 GHz	3.06 GHz+84%
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)	Bloomfield (2008−2010)
PassMark	3,000	2,993

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron Dual-Core T1600 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i7-930 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 667 on the Celeron Dual-Core T1600 versus DDR3-1066 on the Core i7-930 — the Core i7-930 supports 59.8% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-930 supports up to 24 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Celeron Dual-Core T1600) vs 3 (Core i7-930). PCIe lanes: 0 (Celeron Dual-Core T1600) vs 36 (Core i7-930) — the Core i7-930 offers 36 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Celeron Dual-Core T1600	Core i7-930
Socket	PGA478	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	667	DDR3-1066+60%
Max RAM Capacity	4 GB	24 GB+500%
RAM Channels	2	3+50%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	36

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: false (Celeron Dual-Core T1600) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-930). Primary use case: Celeron Dual-Core T1600 targets Budget, Core i7-930 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Celeron Dual-Core T1600 rivals Pentium T2390.

Feature	Celeron Dual-Core T1600	Core i7-930
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	false	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Budget	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron Dual-Core T1600 was priced at $150, while the Core i7-930 came in at $294. On launch pricing ($150 vs $294), Celeron Dual-Core T1600 was $144 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron Dual-Core T1600 delivers 20.0 pts/$ vs 10.2 pts/$ for the Core i7-930 — making the Celeron Dual-Core T1600 the 65.1% better value option.

Feature	Celeron Dual-Core T1600	Core i7-930
MSRP	$150-49%	$294
Performance per Dollar	20.0+96%	10.2
Release Date	2008	2010

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