Celeron P4600 vs Pentium D 960

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 P4600 vs Pentium D 960 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 P4600 vs Pentium D 960: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron P4600

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $437 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $523 MSRP).
✅Delivers 483.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 11.2 vs 1.9 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $523 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 130W, a 95W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Westmere), while Pentium D 960 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium D 960 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (965 vs 1,005).

Pentium D 960

2006

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 1.9 vs 11.2 PassMark/$ ($523 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
❌271.4% higher power demand at 130W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron P4600 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium D 960 better than Celeron P4600?

Yes. Pentium D 960 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 4.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium D 960 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.3% 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, Pentium D 960 is the stronger fit. You are getting 4.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium D 960 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium D 960 comes in 508.1% more expensive on MSRP at $523 MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron P4600 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 483.9% better value on paper (11.2 vs 1.9 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA988.

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

Celeron P4600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2006). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron P4600 vs Pentium D 960 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron P4600

The Celeron P4600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Westmere (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 0.1 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 965 points. Launch price was $69.

Pentium D 960

The Pentium D 960 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,005 points. Launch price was $523.

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Processing Power

Both the Celeron P4600 and Pentium D 960 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 0.1 GHz on the Celeron P4600 versus 3.6 GHz on the Pentium D 960 — a 189.2% clock advantage for the Pentium D 960 (base: 2 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Celeron P4600 uses the Westmere (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium D 960 uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron P4600 scores 965 against the Pentium D 960's 1,005 — a 4.1% lead for the Pentium D 960. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron P4600 vs 0 kB on the Pentium D 960.

Feature	Celeron P4600	Pentium D 960
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	0.1 GHz	3.6 GHz+3500%
Base Clock	2 GHz	3.6 GHz+80%
L3 Cache	2 MB	0 kB
L2 Cache	512 kB	2 MB (total)+300%
Process	32 nm-51%	65 nm
Architecture	Westmere (2010−2011)	NetBurst (2000−2006)
PassMark	965	1,005+4%

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron P4600 uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium D 960 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron P4600	Pentium D 960
Socket	PGA988	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Celeron P4600) / not specified (Pentium D 960). The Celeron P4600 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)), while the Pentium D 960 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Celeron P4600 rivals Pentium P6000.

Feature	Celeron P4600	Pentium D 960
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron P4600 was priced at $86, while the Pentium D 960 came in at $523. On launch pricing ($86 vs $523), Celeron P4600 was $437 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron P4600 delivers 11.2 pts/$ vs 1.9 pts/$ for the Pentium D 960 — making the Celeron P4600 the 141.5% better value option.

Feature	Celeron P4600	Pentium D 960
MSRP	$86-84%	$523
Performance per Dollar	11.2+489%	1.9
Release Date	2010	2006

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