Celeron N3010 vs Pentium D 915

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 N3010 vs Pentium D 915 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

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Celeron N3010 vs Pentium D 915: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron N3010

2016

Why buy it

✅+4.3% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 4W instead of 95W, a 91W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (4 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 400, while Pentium D 915 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.9 vs 9.5 PassMark/$ ($107 MSRP vs $74 MSRP).

Pentium D 915

2006

Why buy it

✅Costs $33 less on MSRP ($74 MSRP vs $107 MSRP).
✅Delivers 38.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 9.5 vs 6.9 PassMark/$ ($74 MSRP vs $107 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (705 vs 735).
❌2275% higher power demand at 95W vs 4W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron N3010 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron N3010 better than Pentium D 915?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium D 915 is ahead with 25% higher max boost clock. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron N3010 pulls ahead with 4.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron N3010 is the stronger fit. You are getting 4.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron N3010 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Celeron N3010 comes in 44.6% more expensive on MSRP at $107 MSRP versus $74 MSRP, and it still gives you 4.3% better PassMark. Pentium D 915 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2006 platform. Even with 38.7% better value on paper (9.5 vs 6.9 PassMark/$), 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 N3010 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 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 N3010 vs Pentium D 915 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron N3010

The Celeron N3010 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Airmont (2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.04 GHz, with boost up to 2.24 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 4 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 735 points. Launch price was $107.

Pentium D 915

The Pentium D 915 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 July 2006 (19 years ago). 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 (total). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 705 points. Launch price was $74.

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Processing Power

Both the Celeron N3010 and Pentium D 915 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.24 GHz on the Celeron N3010 versus 2.8 GHz on the Pentium D 915 — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Pentium D 915 (base: 1.04 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Celeron N3010 uses the Airmont (2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium D 915 uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N3010 scores 735 against the Pentium D 915's 705 — a 4.2% lead for the Celeron N3010. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Celeron N3010	Pentium D 915
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.24 GHz	2.8 GHz+25%
Base Clock	1.04 GHz	2.8 GHz+169%
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	1 MB	2 MB (total)+100%
Process	14 nm-78%	65 nm
Architecture	Airmont (2016)	NetBurst (2000−2006)
PassMark	735+4%	705

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron N3010 uses the FCBGA1170 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium D 915 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron N3010	Pentium D 915
Socket	FCBGA1170	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	8	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	4	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Celeron N3010) / not specified (Pentium D 915). The Celeron N3010 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 400), while the Pentium D 915 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron N3010 targets Budget Mobile.

Feature	Celeron N3010	Pentium D 915
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 400	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	—
Target Use	Budget Mobile	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron N3010 was priced at $107, while the Pentium D 915 came in at $74. On launch pricing ($107 vs $74), Pentium D 915 was $33 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron N3010 delivers 6.9 pts/$ vs 9.5 pts/$ for the Pentium D 915 — making the Pentium D 915 the 32.4% better value option.

Feature	Celeron N3010	Pentium D 915
MSRP	$107	$74-31%
Performance per Dollar	6.9	9.5+38%
Release Date	2016	2006

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