Celeron Dual-Core T3100 vs Pentium E6500

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 T3100 vs Pentium E6500 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 T3100 vs Pentium E6500: 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 T3100

2009

Why buy it

✅Draws 1W instead of 65W, a 64W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,174 vs 1,175).

Pentium E6500

2009

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $84 MSRP, while Celeron Dual-Core T3100 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌6400% higher power demand at 65W vs 1W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium E6500 better than Celeron Dual-Core T3100?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron Dual-Core T3100 is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium E6500 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium E6500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium E6500 is the better buy right now. Pentium E6500 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $84 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Celeron Dual-Core T3100 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (14.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium E6500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 2 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 Dual-Core T3100 vs Pentium E6500 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron Dual-Core T3100

The Celeron Dual-Core T3100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.9 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,174 points. Launch price was $69.

Pentium E6500

The Pentium E6500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 August 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.93 GHz, with boost up to 0.93 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,175 points. Launch price was $50.

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Processing Power

Both the Celeron Dual-Core T3100 and Pentium E6500 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.9 GHz on the Celeron Dual-Core T3100 versus 0.93 GHz on the Pentium E6500 — a 68.6% clock advantage for the Celeron Dual-Core T3100. The Celeron Dual-Core T3100 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium E6500 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron Dual-Core T3100 scores 1,174 against the Pentium E6500's 1,175 — a 0.1% lead for the Pentium E6500.

Feature	Celeron Dual-Core T3100	Pentium E6500
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.9 GHz+104%	0.93 GHz
Base Clock	—	2.93 GHz
L3 Cache	—	0 kB
L2 Cache	1 MB	2 MB (total)+100%
Process	45 nm	45 nm
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Wolfdale (2008−2010)
PassMark	1,174	1,175

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron Dual-Core T3100 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium E6500 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron Dual-Core T3100	Pentium E6500
Socket	PGA478	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-800	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	0	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: No (Celeron Dual-Core T3100) / not specified (Pentium E6500). Primary use case: Celeron Dual-Core T3100 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron Dual-Core T3100 rivals Pentium T4200.