Celeron G1101 vs Pentium B970

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 G1101 vs Pentium B970 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 G1101 vs Pentium B970: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G1101

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $75 less on MSRP ($50 MSRP vs $125 MSRP).
✅Delivers 148.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 21.7 vs 8.7 PassMark/$ ($50 MSRP vs $125 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Westmere), while Pentium B970 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Intel Stock), unlike Pentium B970.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,086 vs 1,093).
❌108.6% higher power demand at 73W vs 35W.

Pentium B970

2012

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 73W, a 38W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.7 vs 21.7 PassMark/$ ($125 MSRP vs $50 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron G1101 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Celeron G1101.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium B970 better than Celeron G1101?

Yes. Pentium B970 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.6% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium B970 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.1% 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, Pentium B970 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium B970 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium B970 comes in 150.0% more expensive on MSRP at $125 MSRP versus $50 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron G1101 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 148.4% better value on paper (21.7 vs 8.7 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1156.

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

Pentium B970 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2010) and 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 G1101 vs Pentium B970 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G1101

The Celeron G1101 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 0.27 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,086 points. Launch price was $85.

Pentium B970

The Pentium B970 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,093 points. Launch price was $125.

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Processing Power

Both the Celeron G1101 and Pentium B970 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 0.27 GHz on the Celeron G1101 versus 2.3 GHz on the Pentium B970 — a 158% clock advantage for the Pentium B970 (base: 2.26 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Celeron G1101 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium B970 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G1101 scores 1,086 against the Pentium B970's 1,093 — a 0.6% lead for the Pentium B970. Both processors carry 2 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Celeron G1101	Pentium B970
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	0.27 GHz	2.3 GHz+752%
Base Clock	2.26 GHz	2.3 GHz+2%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Clarkdale (2010−2011)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,086	1,093
Geekbench 6 Single	250	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	450	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron G1101 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium B970 uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron G1101	Pentium B970
Socket	LGA1156	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	16.38 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Celeron G1101) / not specified (Pentium B970). The Celeron G1101 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)), while the Pentium B970 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G1101 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Celeron G1101 rivals Pentium G6950.

Feature	Celeron G1101	Pentium B970
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G1101 was priced at $50, while the Pentium B970 came in at $125. On launch pricing ($50 vs $125), Celeron G1101 was $75 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G1101 delivers 21.7 pts/$ vs 8.7 pts/$ for the Pentium B970 — making the Celeron G1101 the 85.2% better value option.

Feature	Celeron G1101	Pentium B970
MSRP	$50-60%	$125
Performance per Dollar	21.7+149%	8.7
Release Date	2010	2012

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