CPU
GPU
Celeron N3160
Celeron 3965Y
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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 N3160 is positioned at rank 697 and the Celeron 3965Y is on rank 198, so the Celeron 3965Y offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Celeron N3160
Performance Per Dollar Celeron 3965Y
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Celeron N3160 | Celeron 3965Y |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Braswell (2015−2016) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Celeron N3160 | Celeron 3965Y |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Celeron N3160 and Celeron 3965Y
Celeron N3160
The Celeron N3160 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 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.24 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: 1,195 points. Launch price was $107.
Celeron 3965Y
The Celeron 3965Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,201 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The Celeron N3160 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Celeron 3965Y offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Celeron N3160 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.24 GHz on the Celeron N3160 versus 1.3 GHz on the Celeron 3965Y — a 53.1% clock advantage for the Celeron N3160 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Celeron N3160 uses the Braswell (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Celeron 3965Y uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N3160 scores 1,195 against the Celeron 3965Y's 1,201 — a 0.5% lead for the Celeron 3965Y. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Celeron N3160 vs 2 MB on the Celeron 3965Y.
| Feature | Celeron N3160 | Celeron 3965Y |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.24 GHz+72% | 1.3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1.6 GHz+7% | 1.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 2 MB |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB+300% | 512 kB |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Braswell (2015−2016) | Kaby Lake (2016−2019) |
| PassMark | 1,195 | 1,201 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 372 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 708 |
Memory & Platform
The Celeron N3160 uses the FCBGA1170 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Celeron 3965Y uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the Celeron N3160 versus LPDDR3-1866 on the Celeron 3965Y — the Celeron N3160 supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron 3965Y supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 4 (Celeron N3160) vs 10 (Celeron 3965Y) — the Celeron 3965Y offers 6 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: FCBGA1170 (Celeron N3160) and SoC (Celeron 3965Y).
| Feature | Celeron N3160 | Celeron 3965Y |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1170 | FCBGA1515 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1600+53233% | LPDDR3-1866 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 | 16 GB+209715100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 4 | 10+150% |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Celeron N3160) vs VT-x, VT-d (Celeron 3965Y). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 400 (Celeron N3160) and Intel HD Graphics 615 (Celeron 3965Y) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 3965Y targets Low Power. Direct competitor: Celeron N3160 rivals AMD E2-9010; Celeron 3965Y rivals Pentium Gold 4415Y.
| Feature | Celeron N3160 | Celeron 3965Y |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 400 | Intel HD Graphics 615 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Low Power |
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