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 G555 vs Pentium D 820 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 G555 vs Pentium D 820: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G555

2012

Why buy it

✅+139.8% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Costs $189 less on MSRP ($52 MSRP vs $241 MSRP).
✅Delivers 368.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 27.4 vs 5.9 PassMark/$ ($52 MSRP vs $241 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge), while Pentium D 820 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌3150% higher power demand at 65W vs 2W.

Pentium D 820

2005

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 65W, a 63W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (166 vs 398).
❌Lower PassMark (1,412 vs 1,427).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.9 vs 27.4 PassMark/$ ($241 MSRP vs $52 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron G555 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Celeron G555.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G555 better than Pentium D 820?

Yes. Celeron G555 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.1% 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 G555 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.7% 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 G555 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron G555 is the better buy right now. Celeron G555 comes in $189 cheaper on MSRP at $52 MSRP versus $241 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 368.4% better value on MSRP (27.4 vs 5.9 PassMark/$), 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 G555 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2005) 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 G555 vs Pentium D 820 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G555

The Celeron G555 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 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,427 points. Launch price was $89.

Pentium D 820

The Pentium D 820 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,412 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Celeron G555 and Pentium D 820 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Celeron G555 versus 2.8 GHz on the Pentium D 820 — a 3.6% clock advantage for the Pentium D 820 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Celeron G555 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium D 820 uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (90 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G555 scores 1,427 against the Pentium D 820's 1,412 — a 1.1% lead for the Celeron G555. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 398 vs 166, a 82.3% lead for the Celeron G555 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron G555 vs 0 kB on the Pentium D 820.

Feature	Celeron G555	Pentium D 820
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	2.8 GHz+4%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	2.8 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	2 MB+700%
Process	32 nm-64%	90 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	NetBurst (2000−2006)
PassMark	1,427+1%	1,412
Geekbench 6 Single	398+140%	166
Geekbench 6 Multi	742	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron G555 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium D 820 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Celeron G555 versus DDR2-667 on the Pentium D 820 — the Celeron G555 supports 99.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron G555 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Celeron G555) vs 0 (Pentium D 820) — the Celeron G555 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H61,H67,P67,Z68,B75,Z77 (Celeron G555) and Intel 945,Intel 955 (Pentium D 820).

Feature	Celeron G555	Pentium D 820
Socket	LGA1155	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333+100%	DDR2-667
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+700%	4 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	0

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G555) vs No (Pentium D 820). The Celeron G555 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)), while the Pentium D 820 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G555 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Celeron G555 rivals Pentium G630.

Feature	Celeron G555	Pentium D 820
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	No
Target Use	Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G555 was priced at $52, while the Pentium D 820 came in at $241. On launch pricing ($52 vs $241), Celeron G555 was $189 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G555 delivers 27.4 pts/$ vs 5.9 pts/$ for the Pentium D 820 — making the Celeron G555 the 129.6% better value option.

Feature	Celeron G555	Pentium D 820
MSRP	$52-78%	$241
Performance per Dollar	27.4+364%	5.9
Release Date	2012	2005

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