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 T3300 vs Pentium 957 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 T3300 vs Pentium 957: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron T3300

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $48 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
✅Delivers 54.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 11.7 vs 7.6 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,005 vs 1,015).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (1 MB vs 2 MB).
❌105.9% higher power demand at 35W vs 17W.

Pentium 957

2011

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (2 MB vs 1 MB).
✅Draws 17W instead of 35W, a 18W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.6 vs 11.7 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium 957 better than Celeron T3300?

Yes. Pentium 957 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1% 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, Pentium 957 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.9% 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 957 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (2 MB vs 1 MB).

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

Pentium 957 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium 957 comes in 55.8% more expensive on MSRP at $134 MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron T3300 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 54.3% better value on paper (11.7 vs 7.6 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA478.

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

Pentium 957 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2010) and 100% larger total L3 cache (2 MB vs 1 MB). That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron T3300 vs Pentium 957 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron T3300

The Celeron T3300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. Base frequency: 2 GHz. L3 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,005 points. Launch price was $69.

Pentium 957

The Pentium 957 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 1.2 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: 1,015 points. Launch price was $134.

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Processing Power

The Pentium 957 is built on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. In PassMark, the Celeron T3300 scores 1,005 against the Pentium 957's 1,015 — a 1% lead for the Pentium 957. L3 cache: 1 MB on the Celeron T3300 vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 957.

Feature	Celeron T3300	Pentium 957
Cores / Threads	—	2 / 2
Boost Clock	—	1.2 GHz
Base Clock	2 GHz+67%	1.2 GHz
L3 Cache	1 MB	2 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	—	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	—	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,005	1,015

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron T3300 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium 957 uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron T3300	Pentium 957
Socket	PGA478	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron T3300 was priced at $86, while the Pentium 957 came in at $134. On launch pricing ($86 vs $134), Celeron T3300 was $48 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron T3300 delivers 11.7 pts/$ vs 7.6 pts/$ for the Pentium 957 — making the Celeron T3300 the 42.7% better value option.

Feature	Celeron T3300	Pentium 957
MSRP	$86-36%	$134
Performance per Dollar	11.7+54%	7.6
Release Date	2010	2011

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