
Celeron G3950 vs Core 2 Duo T8100

Celeron G3950

Core 2 Duo T8100
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Celeron G3950
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T8100
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Celeron G3950 | Core 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
| Insight | Celeron G3950 | Core 2 Duo T8100 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+198%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) | ✅ More affordable ($10) |
Performance Check
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

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.

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.
| Feature | Celeron G3950 | Core 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).
| Feature | Celeron G3950 | Core 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.
| Feature | Celeron G3950 | Core 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.
| Feature | Celeron G3950 | Core 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 |
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