Celeron N3060 vs Pentium J2900

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 N3060 vs Pentium J2900 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 N3060 vs Pentium J2900: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron N3060

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (4 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 400, while Pentium J2900 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.8 vs 13.3 PassMark/$ ($107 MSRP vs $94 MSRP).
❌200% higher power demand at 6W vs 2W.

Pentium J2900

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $13 less on MSRP ($94 MSRP vs $107 MSRP).
✅Delivers 12.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 13.3 vs 11.8 PassMark/$ ($94 MSRP vs $107 MSRP).
✅Draws 2W instead of 6W, a 4W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Celeron N3060 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,254 vs 1,267).
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron N3060 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron N3060 better than Pentium J2900?

Yes. Celeron N3060 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1% 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 N3060 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.0% 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 N3060 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron N3060 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Celeron N3060 comes in 13.8% more expensive on MSRP at $107 MSRP versus $94 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium J2900 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 5.0% in the shared gaming data.

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

Celeron N3060 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron N3060 vs Pentium J2900 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron N3060

The Celeron N3060 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 January 2016 (9 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 2.48 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: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,267 points. Launch price was $107.

Pentium J2900

The Pentium J2900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 November 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Bay Trail-D (2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.41 GHz, with boost up to 2.66 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,254 points. Launch price was $94.

⚡

Processing Power

The Celeron N3060 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Pentium J2900 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium J2900 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.48 GHz on the Celeron N3060 versus 2.66 GHz on the Pentium J2900 — a 7% clock advantage for the Pentium J2900 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.41 GHz). The Celeron N3060 uses the Braswell (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium J2900 uses Bay Trail-D (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N3060 scores 1,267 against the Pentium J2900's 1,254 — a 1% lead for the Celeron N3060. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Celeron N3060 vs 2 MB L2 Cache on the Pentium J2900.

Feature	Celeron N3060	Pentium J2900
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.48 GHz	2.66 GHz+7%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2.41 GHz+51%
L3 Cache	0 kB	2 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	1 MB	2 MB+100%
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Braswell (2015−2016)	Bay Trail-D (2013)
PassMark	1,267+1%	1,254

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the FCBGA1170 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Celeron N3060	Pentium J2900
Socket	FCBGA1170	FCBGA1170
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	8	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	4	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Celeron N3060) / not specified (Pentium J2900). The Celeron N3060 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 400), while the Pentium J2900 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Celeron N3060 rivals AMD E2-9010.

Feature	Celeron N3060	Pentium J2900
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 400	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron N3060 was priced at $107, while the Pentium J2900 came in at $94. On launch pricing ($107 vs $94), Pentium J2900 was $13 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron N3060 delivers 11.8 pts/$ vs 13.3 pts/$ for the Pentium J2900 — making the Pentium J2900 the 11.9% better value option.

Feature	Celeron N3060	Pentium J2900
MSRP	$107	$94-12%
Performance per Dollar	11.8	13.3+13%
Release Date	2016	2013

Search Celeron N3060 on Amazon

Search Pentium J2900 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.