Celeron N4000C vs Pentium G6960

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 N4000C vs Pentium G6960 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 N4000C vs Pentium G6960: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron N4000C

2019

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 6W instead of 73W, a 67W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,430 vs 1,433).

Pentium G6960

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $89 MSRP, while Celeron N4000C mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1116.7% higher power demand at 73W vs 6W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron N4000C better than Pentium G6960?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron N4000C is ahead with a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G6960 pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark. Celeron N4000C also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G6960 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron N4000C is still the much better call for a fresh build. Celeron N4000C comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $89 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium G6960 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (16.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1156.

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

Celeron N4000C makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2011) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron N4000C vs Pentium G6960 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron N4000C

The Celeron N4000C is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1090. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4/LPDDR4 up to 2400 MT/s. Passmark benchmark score: 1,430 points. Launch price was $69.

Pentium G6960

The Pentium G6960 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.93 GHz, with boost up to 0.93 GHz. L3 cache: 3072 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,433 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Celeron N4000C and Pentium G6960 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Celeron N4000C versus 0.93 GHz on the Pentium G6960 — a 94.6% clock advantage for the Celeron N4000C (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.93 GHz). The Pentium G6960 is built on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. In PassMark, the Celeron N4000C scores 1,430 against the Pentium G6960's 1,433 — a 0.2% lead for the Pentium G6960. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Celeron N4000C vs 3072 kB (total) on the Pentium G6960.

Feature	Celeron N4000C	Pentium G6960
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz+180%	0.93 GHz
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	2.93 GHz+166%
L3 Cache	4 MB+33%	3072 kB (total)
L2 Cache	—	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	—	Clarkdale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,430	1,433

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron N4000C uses the FCBGA1090 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium G6960 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.