Celeron N3160 vs Pentium E6600

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 N3160 vs Pentium E6600 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 N3160 vs Pentium E6600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron N3160

2016

Why buy it

✅Draws 4W instead of 65W, a 61W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (4 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 400, while Pentium E6600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Pentium E6600

2010

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,194 vs 1,195).
❌Launch MSRP is still $84 MSRP, while Celeron N3160 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1525% higher power demand at 65W vs 4W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron N3160 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron N3160 better than Pentium E6600?

Yes. Celeron N3160 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.1% 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 N3160 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.3% 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 N3160 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Celeron N3160 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Celeron N3160 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $84 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium E6600 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (14.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 N3160 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2010) 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 N3160 vs Pentium E6600 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Pentium E6600

The Pentium E6600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 17 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.06 GHz, with boost up to 0.07 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,194 points. Launch price was $16.

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Processing Power

The Celeron N3160 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium E6600 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Celeron N3160 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.24 GHz on the Celeron N3160 versus 0.07 GHz on the Pentium E6600 — a 187.9% clock advantage for the Celeron N3160 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 3.06 GHz). The Celeron N3160 uses the Braswell (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium E6600 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N3160 scores 1,195 against the Pentium E6600's 1,194 — a 0.1% lead for the Celeron N3160. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Celeron N3160	Pentium E6600
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.24 GHz+3100%	0.07 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	3.06 GHz+91%
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB (total)
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Braswell (2015−2016)	Wolfdale (2008−2010)
PassMark	1,195	1,194

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron N3160 uses the FCBGA1170 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium E6600 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron N3160	Pentium E6600
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 N3160) / not specified (Pentium E6600). The Celeron N3160 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 400), while the Pentium E6600 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Celeron N3160 rivals AMD E2-9010.