Celeron G3950
VS
Core 2 Duo T8100

Celeron G3950 vs Core 2 Duo T8100

Intel

Celeron G3950

2 Cores2 Thrd51 WWMax: 3 GHz2017
VS
Intel

Core 2 Duo T8100

2 Cores2 Thrd3 WWMax: 2.1 GHz2008

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Celeron G3950 is positioned at rank 457 and the Core 2 Duo T8100 is on rank 38, so the Core 2 Duo T8100 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Celeron G3950

#1
Ryzen 9 7950X
MSRP: $194|Avg: $20
6939%
#2
Core i9-10900T
MSRP: $120|Avg: $5
6557%
#3
Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE
MSRP: $423|Avg: $5
4761%
#4
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85
1434%
#5
Ryzen 9 9950X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $129
1136%
#6
Ryzen 5 8400F
MSRP: $303|Avg: $55
994%
#7
Ryzen 7 PRO 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $60
569%
#8
Ryzen 5 2600X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $55
562%
#9
Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G
MSRP: $150|Avg: $60
512%
#10
Core Ultra 5 245KF
MSRP: $294|Avg: $189
511%
#11
Ryzen 5 5500
MSRP: $159|Avg: $85
506%
#12
Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP: $199|Avg: $80
492%
#13
Core i3-9100E
MSRP: $202|Avg: $30
485%
#14
Core Ultra 5 245K
MSRP: $319|Avg: $200
483%
#15
Core i3-8300T
MSRP: $138|Avg: $25
479%
#356
Ryzen Embedded V1605B
MSRP: $150|Avg: $150
100%
#357
Core i9-10900K
MSRP: $499|Avg: $500
100%
#358
Celeron G4930
MSRP: $42|Avg: $57
100%
#359
Ryzen 7 2700E
MSRP: $329|Avg: $329
99%
#360
Ryzen Embedded V2516
MSRP: $300|Avg: $300
99%
#361
Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
MSRP: $2499|Avg: $2442
99%
#362
Core i9-14901E
MSRP: $557|Avg: $689
98%
#363
Celeron G5900T
MSRP: $42|Avg: $50
98%
#457
Celeron G3950
MSRP: $52|Avg: $30
100%
#462
Athlon X2 340
MSRP: $30|Avg: $15
99%
#466
Pentium G4600
MSRP: $82|Avg: $116
99%
#467
Celeron G3900TE
MSRP: $42|Avg: $45
98%
#471
Pentium G4620
MSRP: $86|Avg: $154
97%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T8100

#10
Ryzen 7 260
MSRP: $199|Avg: $70
92%
#26
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
190%
#27
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
187%
#28
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
172%
#29
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
171%
#30
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
169%
#32
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
163%
#33
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
157%
#34
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
156%
#35
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
152%
#38
Core 2 Duo T8100
MSRP: $209|Avg: $10
100%
#39
Atom 330
MSRP: $43|Avg: $30
99%
#43
Core 2 Duo SU7300
MSRP: $289|Avg: N/A
97%
#51
Celeron N2807
MSRP: $107|Avg: $60
90%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Celeron G3950 (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4 2133, DDR3L 1333/1600, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightCeleron G3950Core 2 Duo T8100
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($30)
More affordable ($10)
Longevity
✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo T8100 (2008) relies on 45 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightCeleron G3950Core 2 Duo T8100
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Better overall value (+198%)
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($30)
More affordable ($10)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Celeron G3950 and Core 2 Duo T8100

Intel

Celeron G3950

The Celeron G3950 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 2133, DDR3L 1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,336 points. Launch price was $52.

Intel

Core 2 Duo T8100

The Core 2 Duo T8100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,320 points. Launch price was $209.

Processing Power

Both the Celeron G3950 and Core 2 Duo T8100 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Celeron G3950 versus 2.1 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T8100 — a 35.3% clock advantage for the Celeron G3950 (base: 3 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Celeron G3950 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T8100 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G3950 scores 2,336 against the Core 2 Duo T8100's 2,320 — a 0.7% lead for the Celeron G3950. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 750 vs 380, a 65.5% lead for the Celeron G3950 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,100 vs 700 (44.4% advantage for the Celeron G3950). L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron G3950 vs 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T8100.

FeatureCeleron G3950Core 2 Duo T8100
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 2
Boost Clock
3 GHz+43%
2.1 GHz
Base Clock
3 GHz+43%
2.1 GHz
L3 Cache
2 MB (total)
3 MB L2 Cache+50%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
3 MB+1100%
Process
14 nm-69%
45 nm
Architecture
Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark
2,336
2,320
Geekbench 6 Single
750+97%
380
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,100+57%
700
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron G3950 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo T8100 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Celeron G3950 versus DDR2-667 on the Core 2 Duo T8100 — the Celeron G3950 supports 66.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron G3950 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB 176.5% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Celeron G3950) vs 0 (Core 2 Duo T8100) — the Celeron G3950 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H110,B250,H270,Z270 (Celeron G3950) and GM965,PM965 (Core 2 Duo T8100).

FeatureCeleron G3950Core 2 Duo T8100
Socket
LGA1151
PGA478
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+173%
PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2400+100%
DDR2-667
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB+1500%
4 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
0
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x virtualization. The Celeron G3950 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 610), while the Core 2 Duo T8100 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G3950 targets Budget, Core 2 Duo T8100 targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Celeron G3950 rivals Pentium G4560; Core 2 Duo T8100 rivals Core 2 Duo T7250.

FeatureCeleron G3950Core 2 Duo T8100
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 610
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x
VT-x
Target Use
Budget
Legacy Laptop
💰

Value Analysis

The Celeron G3950 launched at $52 MSRP, while the Core 2 Duo T8100 debuted at $209. At current prices ($30 vs $10), the Core 2 Duo T8100 is $20 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G3950 delivers 77.9 pts/$ vs 232.0 pts/$ for the Core 2 Duo T8100 — making the Core 2 Duo T8100 the 99.5% better value option.

FeatureCeleron G3950Core 2 Duo T8100
MSRP
$52-75%
$209
Avg Price (30d)
$30
$10-67%
Performance per Dollar
77.9
232.0+198%
Release Date
2017
2008