Celeron T3000 vs Pentium D 940

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 T3000 vs Pentium D 940 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 T3000 vs Pentium D 940: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron T3000

2009

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 130W, a 95W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.0 vs 6.6 PassMark/$ ($150 MSRP vs $132 MSRP).

Pentium D 940

2006

Why buy it

✅Costs $18 less on MSRP ($132 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
✅Delivers 9.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 6.6 vs 6.0 PassMark/$ ($132 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (875 vs 905).
❌271.4% higher power demand at 130W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron T3000 better than Pentium D 940?

Yes. Celeron T3000 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 3.4% 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 T3000 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.8% 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 T3000 is the stronger fit. You are getting 3.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron T3000 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Celeron T3000 comes in 13.6% more expensive on MSRP at $150 MSRP versus $132 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium D 940 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2006 platform. Even with 9.9% better value on paper (6.6 vs 6.0 PassMark/$), 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 T3000 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2009 vs 2006) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron T3000 vs Pentium D 940 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron T3000

The Celeron T3000 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency: 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 1 MB L2 Cache. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 905 points. Launch price was $69.

Pentium D 940

The Pentium D 940 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 January 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 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: 875 points. Launch price was $423.

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Processing Power

Both the Celeron T3000 and Pentium D 940 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. The Pentium D 940 is built on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. In PassMark, the Celeron T3000 scores 905 against the Pentium D 940's 875 — a 3.4% lead for the Celeron T3000. L3 cache: 1 MB L2 Cache on the Celeron T3000 vs 0 kB on the Pentium D 940.

Feature	Celeron T3000	Pentium D 940
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	—	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	3.2 GHz+78%
L3 Cache	1 MB L2 Cache	0 kB
L2 Cache	—	2 MB (total)
Process	45 nm-31%	65 nm
Architecture	—	NetBurst (2000−2006)
PassMark	905+3%	875

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron T3000 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium D 940 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron T3000	Pentium D 940
Socket	PGA478	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron T3000 was priced at $150, while the Pentium D 940 came in at $132. On launch pricing ($150 vs $132), Pentium D 940 was $18 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron T3000 delivers 6.0 pts/$ vs 6.6 pts/$ for the Pentium D 940 — making the Pentium D 940 the 9.4% better value option.

Feature	Celeron T3000	Pentium D 940
MSRP	$150	$132-12%
Performance per Dollar	6.0	6.6+10%
Release Date	2009	2006

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