Celeron T3100 vs Core 2 Duo T9400

Celeron T3100

35 WW2008

Core 2 Duo T9400

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.53 GHz2008

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Celeron T3100

945

0.0%

1,004

+6.2%

About PassMark

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Celeron T3100 is positioned at rank 970 and the Core 2 Duo T9400 is on rank 796, so the Core 2 Duo T9400 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Celeron T3100

#958

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1925%

#959

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1897%

#960

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1741%

#961

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1734%

#962

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1718%

#964

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1659%

#965

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1591%

#966

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1588%

#967

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1545%

#970

Celeron T3100

MSRP: $62|Avg: $62

100%

#971

Core i7-4800MQ

MSRP: $380|Avg: $378

100%

#977

Phenom II X2 N640

MSRP: $100|Avg: $55

99%

#978

A10-8700P

MSRP: $150|Avg: $40

99%

#982

Athlon II Neo K125

MSRP: $100|Avg: $100

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T9400

#784

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1198%

#785

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1180%

#786

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1084%

#787

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1079%

#788

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1069%

#790

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1032%

#791

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

990%

#792

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

988%

#793

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

962%

#796

Core 2 Duo T9400

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#797

Celeron M 900

MSRP: $86|Avg: $10

100%

#799

Celeron B815

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

99%

#801

Celeron B810

MSRP: $86|Avg: $86

99%

#803

Core i7-1365UE

MSRP: $429|Avg: $429

99%

#805

3020e

MSRP: $100|Avg: $25

98%

#809

Athlon II M320

MSRP: $75|Avg: $15

98%

#810

Celeron B800

MSRP: $80|Avg: $5

98%

#811

Celeron B710

MSRP: $86|Avg: $10

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Celeron T3100 leads in gaming performance. However, the Core 2 Duo T9400 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 6.1% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Celeron T3100	Core 2 Duo T9400
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($62)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Celeron T3100	Core 2 Duo T9400
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($62)	✅ More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Celeron T3100 Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo T9400 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Celeron T3100 and Core 2 Duo T9400

Celeron T3100

The Celeron T3100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. Base frequency: 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 1 MB L2 Cache. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 945 points. Launch price was $69.

Core 2 Duo T9400

The Core 2 Duo T9400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 July 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,004 points. Launch price was $316.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T9400 is built on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. In PassMark, the Celeron T3100 scores 945 against the Core 2 Duo T9400's 1,004 — a 6.1% lead for the Core 2 Duo T9400. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 350 vs 320, a 9% lead for the Celeron T3100 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 1 MB L2 Cache on the Celeron T3100 vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T9400.

Feature	Celeron T3100	Core 2 Duo T9400
Cores / Threads	—	2 / 2
Boost Clock	—	2.53 GHz
Base Clock	1.9 GHz	2.53 GHz+33%
L3 Cache	1 MB L2 Cache	6 MB L2 Cache+500%
L2 Cache	—	6 MB
Process	45 nm	45 nm
Architecture	—	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	945	1,004+6%
Geekbench 6 Single	350+9%	320
Geekbench 6 Multi	650	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the PGA478 socket with PCIe 2.0. Both support up to DDR3-800 memory speed. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Chipset compatibility: GL40,GM45 (Celeron T3100) and GM45,PM45 (Core 2 Duo T9400).

Feature	Celeron T3100	Core 2 Duo T9400
Socket	PGA478	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-800	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	0	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: None (Celeron T3100) vs VT-x (Core 2 Duo T9400). Primary use case: Celeron T3100 targets Legacy Laptop, Core 2 Duo T9400 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo T9400 rivals Athlon Silver 3050U.