Celeron G470 vs Pentium 997

Intel

Celeron G470

1 Cores2 Thrd35 WW2013
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Pentium 997

2 Cores2 Thrd17 WWMax: 1.6 GHz2012
Similar parts
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Celeron G470 vs Pentium 997 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 G470 vs Pentium 997 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 G470 vs Pentium 997: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G470

2013

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +3.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $99 less on MSRP ($35 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
  • Delivers 286.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 35.0 vs 9.1 PassMark/$ ($35 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 997 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (1.5 MB vs 2 MB).
  • 105.9% higher power demand at 35W vs 17W.

Pentium 997

2012

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Celeron G470 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (1,215 vs 1,225).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.1 vs 35.0 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $35 MSRP).
  • No integrated graphics, while Celeron G470 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G470 better than Pentium 997?
Yes. Celeron G470 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.8% 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, Celeron G470 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.0% 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, Celeron G470 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 1 cores and 2 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Celeron G470 is the better buy right now. Celeron G470 comes in $99 cheaper on MSRP at $35 MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 286.0% better value on MSRP (35.0 vs 9.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Celeron G470 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 1 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 G470 vs Pentium 997 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Celeron G470

The Celeron G470 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 1 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency: 2 GHz. L3 cache: 1.5 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,225 points. Launch price was $69.

Intel

Pentium 997

The Pentium 997 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.6 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: 1,215 points. Launch price was $134.

Processing Power

The Celeron G470 packs 1 cores / 2 threads, while the Pentium 997 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Pentium 997 has 1 more core. The Pentium 997 is built on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. In PassMark, the Celeron G470 scores 1,225 against the Pentium 997's 1,215 — a 0.8% lead for the Celeron G470. L3 cache: 1.5 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Celeron G470 vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 997.

FeatureCeleron G470Pentium 997
Cores / Threads
1 / 2
2 / 2+100%
Boost Clock
1.6 GHz
Base Clock
2 GHz+25%
1.6 GHz
L3 Cache
1.5 MB Intel® Smart Cache
2 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
Process
32 nm
32 nm
Architecture
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark
1,225
1,215
Geekbench 6 Single
300
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Memory & Platform

The Celeron G470 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium 997 uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCeleron G470Pentium 997
Socket
LGA1155
BGA1023
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
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 G470) / not specified (Pentium 997). The Celeron G470 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)), while the Pentium 997 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G470 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron G470 rivals Pentium G630.

FeatureCeleron G470Pentium 997
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 G470 was priced at $35, while the Pentium 997 came in at $134. On launch pricing ($35 vs $134), Celeron G470 was $99 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G470 delivers 35.0 pts/$ vs 9.1 pts/$ for the Pentium 997 — making the Celeron G470 the 117.7% better value option.

FeatureCeleron G470Pentium 997
MSRP
$35-74%
$134
Performance per Dollar
35.0+285%
9.1
Release Date
2013
2012

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