Celeron N3150 vs Core 2 Duo E6400

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 N3150 vs Core 2 Duo E6400 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 N3150 vs Core 2 Duo E6400: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron N3150

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 6W instead of 65W, a 59W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Braswell), while Core 2 Duo E6400 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core 2 Duo E6400.

Core 2 Duo E6400

2006

Why buy it

✅300% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Celeron N3150.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,175 vs 1,177).
❌Launch MSRP is still $183 MSRP, while Celeron N3150 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌983.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 6W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron N3150 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron N3150 better than Core 2 Duo E6400?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core 2 Duo E6400 is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron N3150 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, Celeron N3150 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Celeron N3150 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Celeron N3150 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $183 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. Core 2 Duo E6400 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2006 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (6.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 N3150 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2006) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron N3150 vs Core 2 Duo E6400 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron N3150

The Celeron N3150 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 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.08 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,177 points. Launch price was $107.

Core 2 Duo E6400

The Core 2 Duo E6400 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 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 2.13 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: 1,175 points. Launch price was $249.

⚡

Processing Power

The Celeron N3150 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core 2 Duo E6400 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Celeron N3150 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.08 GHz on the Celeron N3150 versus 2.13 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E6400 — a 2.4% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E6400 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.13 GHz). The Celeron N3150 uses the Braswell (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core 2 Duo E6400 uses Conroe (2006−2007) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N3150 scores 1,177 against the Core 2 Duo E6400's 1,175 — a 0.2% lead for the Celeron N3150. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Celeron N3150	Core 2 Duo E6400
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.08 GHz	2.13 GHz+2%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2.13 GHz+33%
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB
Process	14 nm-78%	65 nm
Architecture	Braswell (2015−2016)	Conroe (2006−2007)
PassMark	1,177	1,175

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron N3150 uses the FCBGA1170 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo E6400 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the Celeron N3150 versus 1066 on the Core 2 Duo E6400 — the Celeron N3150 supports 50.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core 2 Duo E6400 supports up to 16 of RAM compared to 8 — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 4 (Celeron N3150) vs 16 (Core 2 Duo E6400) — the Core 2 Duo E6400 offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: FCBGA1170 (Celeron N3150) and P35,G31,G33,P45 (Core 2 Duo E6400).

Feature	Celeron N3150	Core 2 Duo E6400
Socket	FCBGA1170	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	1600+50%	1066
Max RAM Capacity	8	16+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	4	16+300%

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support true virtualization. The Celeron N3150 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Braswell)), while the Core 2 Duo E6400 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Celeron N3150 rivals AMD E2-7110; Core 2 Duo E6400 rivals Athlon 64 X2 5400+.