Celeron J3060 vs Pentium 2117U

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 J3060 vs Pentium 2117U 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 J3060 vs Pentium 2117U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron J3060

2016

Why buy it

✅Draws 6W instead of 512W, a 506W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (4 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 400, while Pentium 2117U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Pentium 2117U

2012

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,009 vs 1,015).
❌8433.3% higher power demand at 512W vs 6W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron J3060 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron J3060 better than Pentium 2117U?

Yes. Celeron J3060 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.6% 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 J3060 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.5% 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 J3060 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron J3060 still makes the most sense overall. Celeron J3060 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Celeron J3060 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2012) 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 J3060 vs Pentium 2117U Technical Specifications

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

Celeron J3060

The Celeron J3060 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Airmont (2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.48 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,015 points. Launch price was $107.

Pentium 2117U

The Pentium 2117U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,009 points. Launch price was $134.

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Processing Power

Both the Celeron J3060 and Pentium 2117U share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.48 GHz on the Celeron J3060 versus 1.8 GHz on the Pentium 2117U — a 31.8% clock advantage for the Celeron J3060 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Celeron J3060 uses the Airmont (2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium 2117U uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron J3060 scores 1,015 against the Pentium 2117U's 1,009 — a 0.6% lead for the Celeron J3060. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Celeron J3060 vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 2117U.

Feature	Celeron J3060	Pentium 2117U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.48 GHz+38%	1.8 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	1.8 GHz+12%
L3 Cache	0 kB	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Airmont (2016)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	1,015	1,009
Geekbench 6 Single	200	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	370	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron J3060 uses the FCBGA1170 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium 2117U uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron J3060	Pentium 2117U
Socket	FCBGA1170	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	4	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, EPT (Celeron J3060) / not specified (Pentium 2117U). The Celeron J3060 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 400), while the Pentium 2117U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron J3060 targets Low Power Desktop/NAS. Direct competitor: Celeron J3060 rivals Pentium J3710.