Celeron N4000 vs Pentium 987

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 N4000 vs Pentium 987 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 N4000 vs Pentium 987: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron N4000

2017

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Costs $27 less on MSRP ($107 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
✅Delivers 24.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 13.8 vs 11.1 PassMark/$ ($107 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
✅Draws 6W instead of 17W, a 11W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,472 vs 1,487).

Pentium 987

2013

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.1 vs 13.8 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $107 MSRP).
❌183.3% higher power demand at 17W vs 6W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron N4000 better than Pentium 987?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron N4000 is ahead with a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 987 pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark. Celeron N4000 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 987 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 N4000 is the better buy right now. Celeron N4000 comes in $27 cheaper on MSRP at $107 MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Pentium 987 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1% better PassMark. It is also 24.0% better value on MSRP (13.8 vs 11.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Celeron N4000 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2013) and 100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron N4000 vs Pentium 987 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron N4000

The Celeron N4000 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 December 2017 (7 years ago). It is based on the Goldmont Plus (2017) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1090. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,472 points. Launch price was $107.

Pentium 987

The Pentium 987 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.5 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,487 points. Launch price was $134.

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Processing Power

Both the Celeron N4000 and Pentium 987 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Celeron N4000 versus 1.5 GHz on the Pentium 987 — a 53.7% clock advantage for the Celeron N4000 (base: 1.1 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Celeron N4000 uses the Goldmont Plus (2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium 987 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N4000 scores 1,472 against the Pentium 987's 1,487 — a 1% lead for the Pentium 987. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Celeron N4000 vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 987.

Feature	Celeron N4000	Pentium 987
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz+73%	1.5 GHz
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	1.5 GHz+36%
L3 Cache	4 MB+100%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4 MB	256K (per core)+6300%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Goldmont Plus (2017)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,472	1,487+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron N4000 uses the FCBGA1090 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium 987 uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron N4000	Pentium 987
Socket	FCBGA1090	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron N4000 was priced at $107, while the Pentium 987 came in at $134. On launch pricing ($107 vs $134), Celeron N4000 was $27 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron N4000 delivers 13.8 pts/$ vs 11.1 pts/$ for the Pentium 987 — making the Celeron N4000 the 21.4% better value option.

Feature	Celeron N4000	Pentium 987
MSRP	$107-20%	$134
Performance per Dollar	13.8+24%	11.1
Release Date	2017	2013

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