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 G460 vs Pentium 977 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 G460 vs Pentium 977: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G460

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $97 less on MSRP ($37 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
✅Delivers 261.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 30.9 vs 8.6 PassMark/$ ($37 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge), while Pentium 977 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,145 vs 1,148).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (1.5 MB vs 2 MB).
❌105.9% higher power demand at 35W vs 17W.

Pentium 977

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (2 MB vs 1.5 MB).
✅Draws 17W instead of 35W, a 18W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.6 vs 30.9 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $37 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron G460 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium 977 better than Celeron G460?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron G460 is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 977 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark. Pentium 977 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (2 MB vs 1.5 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 977 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (2 MB vs 1.5 MB).

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

Pentium 977 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium 977 comes in 262.2% more expensive on MSRP at $134 MSRP versus $37 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. Celeron G460 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 261.2% better value on paper (30.9 vs 8.6 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

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

Pentium 977 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2011), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (2 MB vs 1.5 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 1/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron G460 vs Pentium 977 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G460

The Celeron G460 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 December 2011 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 1 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 1.5 MB. L2 cache: 256 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,145 points. Launch price was $65.

Pentium 977

The Pentium 977 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 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 1.4 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,148 points. Launch price was $134.

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Processing Power

The Celeron G460 packs 1 cores / 2 threads, while the Pentium 977 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Pentium 977 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 1.8 GHz on the Celeron G460 versus 1.4 GHz on the Pentium 977 — a 25% clock advantage for the Celeron G460 (base: 1.8 GHz vs 1.4 GHz). Both are built on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture using a 32 nm process. In PassMark, the Celeron G460 scores 1,145 against the Pentium 977's 1,148 — a 0.3% lead for the Pentium 977. L3 cache: 1.5 MB on the Celeron G460 vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 977.

Feature	Celeron G460	Pentium 977
Cores / Threads	1 / 2	2 / 2+100%
Boost Clock	1.8 GHz+29%	1.4 GHz
Base Clock	1.8 GHz+29%	1.4 GHz
L3 Cache	1.5 MB	2 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,145	1,148
Geekbench 6 Single	300	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron G460 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium 977 uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron G460	Pentium 977
Socket	LGA1155	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Celeron G460) / not specified (Pentium 977). The Celeron G460 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)), while the Pentium 977 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G460 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron G460 rivals Pentium G630.

Feature	Celeron G460	Pentium 977
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Budget	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G460 was priced at $37, while the Pentium 977 came in at $134. On launch pricing ($37 vs $134), Celeron G460 was $97 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G460 delivers 30.9 pts/$ vs 8.6 pts/$ for the Pentium 977 — making the Celeron G460 the 113.3% better value option.

Feature	Celeron G460	Pentium 977
MSRP	$37-72%	$134
Performance per Dollar	30.9+259%	8.6
Release Date	2011	2012

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