Celeron N3050 vs Core 2 Duo P9600

CPU

GPU

Celeron N3050

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.16 GHz2015

Core 2 Duo P9600

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.66 GHz2009

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Celeron N3050

2 / 2

1,099

+0.5%

1,093

0.0%

About PassMark

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Celeron N3050 is positioned at rank 744 and the Core 2 Duo P9600 is on rank 609, so the Core 2 Duo P9600 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Celeron N3050

#731

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1068%

#732

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1052%

#733

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

966%

#734

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

961%

#735

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

953%

#737

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

920%

#738

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

882%

#739

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

881%

#740

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

857%

#743

Pentium 6805

MSRP: $161|Avg: $161

100%

#744

Celeron N3050

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#748

Ryzen 3 7320C

MSRP: $299|Avg: $200

100%

#756

Core i7-11370H

MSRP: $426|Avg: N/A

99%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo P9600

#185

Ryzen 7 5825C

MSRP: $400|Avg: $400

100%

#597

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

805%

#598

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

794%

#599

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

729%

#600

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

725%

#601

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

719%

#603

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

694%

#604

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

665%

#605

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

664%

#606

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

646%

#609

Core 2 Duo P9600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#622

Athlon II P320

MSRP: $50|Avg: $15

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Celeron N3050 (2015) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Celeron N3050	Core 2 Duo P9600
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Braswell (2015−2016) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo P9600 (2009) relies on 45 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Celeron N3050	Core 2 Duo P9600
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Celeron N3050 Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo P9600 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Celeron N3050 and Core 2 Duo P9600

Celeron N3050

The Celeron N3050 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Braswell (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.16 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: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,099 points. Launch price was $107.

Core 2 Duo P9600

The Core 2 Duo P9600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 2.66 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,093 points. Launch price was $348.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Celeron N3050 and Core 2 Duo P9600 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.16 GHz on the Celeron N3050 versus 2.66 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P9600 — a 20.7% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo P9600 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Celeron N3050 uses the Braswell (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core 2 Duo P9600 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N3050 scores 1,099 against the Core 2 Duo P9600's 1,093 — a 0.5% lead for the Celeron N3050. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Celeron N3050 vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P9600.

Feature	Celeron N3050	Core 2 Duo P9600
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.16 GHz	2.66 GHz+23%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2.66 GHz+66%
L3 Cache	0 kB	6 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	1 MB	6 MB+500%
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Braswell (2015−2016)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	1,099	1,093
Geekbench 6 Single	221	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	440	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron N3050 uses the FCBGA1170 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo P9600 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron N3050	Core 2 Duo P9600
Socket	FCBGA1170	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	4	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x / EPT (Celeron N3050) / not specified (Core 2 Duo P9600). The Celeron N3050 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Braswell)), while the Core 2 Duo P9600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron N3050 targets Netbook. Direct competitor: Celeron N3050 rivals AMD E2-7110.