Celeron E3400 vs Phenom II X2 B55

Intel

Celeron E3400

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2010
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Phenom II X2 B55

2 Cores2 Thrd80 WWMax: 3 GHz2009
Similar parts
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Celeron E3400 vs Phenom II X2 B55 Performance Spectrum

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 E3400 vs Phenom II X2 B55 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 E3400 vs Phenom II X2 B55: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron E3400

2010

Why buy it

  • Draws 65W instead of 80W, a 15W reduction.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Phenom II X2 B55.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,220 vs 1,222).
  • Launch MSRP is still $53 MSRP, while Phenom II X2 B55 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Phenom II X2 B55

2009

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • 23.1% higher power demand at 80W vs 65W.
    • No boxed cooler included, unlike Celeron E3400.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Phenom II X2 B55 better than Celeron E3400?
    Yes. Phenom II X2 B55 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.2% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
    Which one is better for gaming?
    If gaming is the priority, Phenom II X2 B55 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.9% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X2 B55 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?
    Phenom II X2 B55 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Phenom II X2 B55 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $53 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron E3400 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (23.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA775.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    Celeron E3400 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

    Celeron E3400 vs Phenom II X2 B55 Technical Specifications

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

    Intel

    Celeron E3400

    The Celeron E3400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 17 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 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: 1,220 points. Launch price was $76.

    AMD

    Phenom II X2 B55

    The Phenom II X2 B55 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 October 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Callisto (2009−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,222 points. Launch price was $48.

    Processing Power

    Both the Celeron E3400 and Phenom II X2 B55 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Celeron E3400 versus 3 GHz on the Phenom II X2 B55 — a 14.3% clock advantage for the Phenom II X2 B55 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Celeron E3400 uses the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Phenom II X2 B55 uses Callisto (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron E3400 scores 1,220 against the Phenom II X2 B55's 1,222 — a 0.2% lead for the Phenom II X2 B55. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Celeron E3400 vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X2 B55.

    FeatureCeleron E3400Phenom II X2 B55
    Cores / Threads
    2 / 2
    2 / 2
    Boost Clock
    2.6 GHz
    3 GHz+15%
    Base Clock
    2.6 GHz
    3 GHz+15%
    L3 Cache
    0 kB
    6 MB (total)
    L2 Cache
    1 MB (total)+100%
    512 kB (per core)
    Process
    45 nm
    45 nm
    Architecture
    Wolfdale (2008−2010)
    Callisto (2009−2010)
    PassMark
    1,220
    1,222
    Geekbench 6 Single
    347
    Geekbench 6 Multi
    624
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Celeron E3400 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Phenom II X2 B55 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeatureCeleron E3400Phenom II X2 B55
    Socket
    LGA775
    AM3
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 1.1
    PCIe 2.0+82%
    Max RAM Speed
    1066
    Max RAM Capacity
    8
    RAM Channels
    2
    ECC Support
    No
    PCIe Lanes
    0
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Virtualization: true (Celeron E3400) / not specified (Phenom II X2 B55). Primary use case: Celeron E3400 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron E3400 rivals Pentium E5200.

    FeatureCeleron E3400Phenom II X2 B55
    Integrated GPU
    No
    Unlocked
    No
    AVX-512
    No
    Virtualization
    true
    Target Use
    Budget