Celeron N2805 vs Pentium G6960

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 N2805 vs Pentium G6960 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 N2805 vs Pentium G6960: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron N2805

2013

Why buy it

✅Draws 4W instead of 73W, a 69W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (4 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail), while Pentium G6960 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,430 vs 1,433).

Pentium G6960

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $89 MSRP, while Celeron N2805 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1725% higher power demand at 73W vs 4W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron N2805 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron N2805 better than Pentium G6960?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron N2805 is ahead with a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G6960 pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G6960 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron N2805 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Celeron N2805 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $89 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium G6960 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (16.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1156.

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

Celeron N2805 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron N2805 vs Pentium G6960 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron N2805

The Celeron N2805 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.46 GHz, with boost up to 1.46 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.3 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,430 points. Launch price was $107.

Pentium G6960

The Pentium G6960 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.93 GHz, with boost up to 0.93 GHz. L3 cache: 3072 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,433 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Celeron N2805 and Pentium G6960 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.46 GHz on the Celeron N2805 versus 0.93 GHz on the Pentium G6960 — a 44.4% clock advantage for the Celeron N2805 (base: 1.46 GHz vs 2.93 GHz). The Celeron N2805 uses the Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium G6960 uses Clarkdale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N2805 scores 1,430 against the Pentium G6960's 1,433 — a 0.2% lead for the Pentium G6960. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Celeron N2805 vs 3072 kB (total) on the Pentium G6960.

Feature	Celeron N2805	Pentium G6960
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.46 GHz+57%	0.93 GHz
Base Clock	1.46 GHz	2.93 GHz+101%
L3 Cache	0 kB	3072 kB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Bay Trail-M (2013−2014)	Clarkdale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,430	1,433

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron N2805 uses the FCBGA1170 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium G6960 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron N2805	Pentium G6960
Socket	FCBGA1170	LGA1156
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	4	—
RAM Channels	1	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	4	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Celeron N2805) / not specified (Pentium G6960). The Celeron N2805 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail)), while the Pentium G6960 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Celeron N2805 rivals AMD E1-2100.