Celeron E3300 vs Pentium Extreme Edition 965

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 E3300 vs Pentium Extreme Edition 965 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 E3300 vs Pentium Extreme Edition 965: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron E3300

2009

Why buy it

✅Costs $949 less on MSRP ($50 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1880.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 23.1 vs 1.2 PassMark/$ ($50 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 130W, a 65W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,155 vs 1,165).

Pentium Extreme Edition 965

2006

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 1.2 vs 23.1 PassMark/$ ($999 MSRP vs $50 MSRP).
❌100% higher power demand at 130W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron E3300 better than Pentium Extreme Edition 965?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron E3300 is ahead with 242.5% higher max boost clock. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Extreme Edition 965 pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Extreme Edition 965 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Celeron E3300 is the better buy right now. Celeron E3300 comes in $949 cheaper on MSRP at $50 MSRP versus $999 MSRP, and it still gives you 242.5% higher max boost clock. The compromise is that Pentium Extreme Edition 965 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.9% better PassMark. It is also 1880.8% better value on MSRP (23.1 vs 1.2 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Celeron E3300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2009 vs 2006). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron E3300 vs Pentium Extreme Edition 965 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron E3300

The Celeron E3300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,155 points. Launch price was $70.

Pentium Extreme Edition 965

The Pentium Extreme Edition 965 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 March 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the Presler (2005−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.733 GHz, with boost up to 0.73 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 1,165 points. Launch price was $999.

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Processing Power

The Celeron E3300 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Pentium Extreme Edition 965's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Celeron E3300 versus 0.73 GHz on the Pentium Extreme Edition 965 — a 109.6% clock advantage for the Celeron E3300 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.733 GHz). The Celeron E3300 uses the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium Extreme Edition 965 uses Presler (2005−2007) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron E3300 scores 1,155 against the Pentium Extreme Edition 965's 1,165 — a 0.9% lead for the Pentium Extreme Edition 965.

Feature	Celeron E3300	Pentium Extreme Edition 965
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz+242%	0.73 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.733 GHz+49%
L3 Cache	0 kB	—
L2 Cache	1 MB (total)	2 MB (per core)+100%
Process	45 nm-31%	65 nm
Architecture	Wolfdale (2008−2010)	Presler (2005−2007)
PassMark	1,155	1,165
Geekbench 6 Single	347	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	624	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA775 socket with PCIe 1.1.

Feature	Celeron E3300	Pentium Extreme Edition 965
Socket	LGA775	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	0	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Celeron E3300) / not specified (Pentium Extreme Edition 965). Primary use case: Celeron E3300 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron E3300 rivals Pentium E5200.

Feature	Celeron E3300	Pentium Extreme Edition 965
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Budget	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron E3300 was priced at $50, while the Pentium Extreme Edition 965 came in at $999. On launch pricing ($50 vs $999), Celeron E3300 was $949 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron E3300 delivers 23.1 pts/$ vs 1.2 pts/$ for the Pentium Extreme Edition 965 — making the Celeron E3300 the 180.8% better value option.

Feature	Celeron E3300	Pentium Extreme Edition 965
MSRP	$50-95%	$999
Performance per Dollar	23.1+1825%	1.2
Release Date	2009	2006

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