Celeron N2820 vs Core 2 Duo E6300

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 N2820 vs Core 2 Duo E6300 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 N2820 vs Core 2 Duo E6300: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron N2820

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 7W instead of 65W, a 58W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail), while Core 2 Duo E6300 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core 2 Duo E6300.

Core 2 Duo E6300

2006

Why buy it

✅300% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Celeron N2820.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Celeron N2820 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,055 vs 1,061).
❌Launch MSRP is still $163 MSRP, while Celeron N2820 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌828.6% higher power demand at 65W vs 7W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron N2820 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron N2820 better than Core 2 Duo E6300?

Yes. Celeron N2820 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.7% 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 N2820 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.7% 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 N2820 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 N2820 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Celeron N2820 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $163 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core 2 Duo E6300 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2006 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (6.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA775.

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

Celeron N2820 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2006) 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 N2820 vs Core 2 Duo E6300 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron N2820

The Celeron N2820 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 December 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 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 2.39 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 7.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,061 points. Launch price was $107.

Core 2 Duo E6300

The Core 2 Duo E6300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Conroe (2006−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.86 GHz, with boost up to 1.87 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,055 points. Launch price was $249.

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Processing Power

Both the Celeron N2820 and Core 2 Duo E6300 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.39 GHz on the Celeron N2820 versus 1.87 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E6300 — a 24.4% clock advantage for the Celeron N2820 (base: 2.13 GHz vs 1.86 GHz). The Celeron N2820 uses the Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Core 2 Duo E6300 uses Conroe (2006−2007) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N2820 scores 1,061 against the Core 2 Duo E6300's 1,055 — a 0.6% lead for the Celeron N2820. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Celeron N2820	Core 2 Duo E6300
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.39 GHz+28%	1.87 GHz
Base Clock	2.13 GHz+15%	1.86 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+25500%	2 MB
Process	22 nm-66%	65 nm
Architecture	Bay Trail-M (2013−2014)	Conroe (2006−2007)
PassMark	1,061	1,055
Geekbench 6 Single	220	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	400	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron N2820 uses the FCBGA1170 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo E6300 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3L-1066 memory speed. The Core 2 Duo E6300 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 4 (Celeron N2820) vs 16 (Core 2 Duo E6300) — the Core 2 Duo E6300 offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SoC (Celeron N2820) and P35,G31,G33,P45 (Core 2 Duo E6300).

Feature	Celeron N2820	Core 2 Duo E6300
Socket	FCBGA1170	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1066	1066
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	16 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	4	16+300%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron N2820) vs true (Core 2 Duo E6300). The Celeron N2820 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail)), while the Core 2 Duo E6300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron N2820 targets Netbook. Direct competitor: Celeron N2820 rivals AMD A6-6310; Core 2 Duo E6300 rivals Athlon 64 X2 3800+.