Core 2 Duo SP9400 vs Celeron 2957U

Core 2 Duo SP9400

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2008

Celeron 2957U

2 Cores2 Thrd512 WWMax: 1.4 GHz2014

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo SP9400

2 / 2

2,083

+0.3%

2,077

0.0%

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 Core 2 Duo SP9400 is positioned at rank 631 and the Celeron 2957U is on rank 53, so the Celeron 2957U 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 Core 2 Duo SP9400

#187

Core Ultra 9 288V

MSRP: $600|Avg: $600

97%

#188

Core i7-10870H

MSRP: $417|Avg: N/A

97%

#619

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

845%

#620

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

833%

#621

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

764%

#622

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

761%

#623

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

754%

#625

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

728%

#626

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

698%

#627

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

697%

#628

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

678%

#631

Core 2 Duo SP9400

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#638

Celeron Dual-Core T1400

MSRP: $80|Avg: $10

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Celeron 2957U

#13

Ryzen 3 210

MSRP: $99|Avg: $99

96%

#14

Ryzen 5 PRO 230

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

95%

#41

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

212%

#42

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

209%

#43

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

192%

#44

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

191%

#45

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

189%

#47

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

183%

#48

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

175%

#49

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

175%

#50

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

170%

#53

Celeron 2957U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#65

Core i5-3320M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

96%

#66

Core i7-4510U

MSRP: $393|Avg: N/A

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Celeron 2957U (2014) utilizes 22 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Duo SP9400	Celeron 2957U
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo SP9400 (2008) relies on 45 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core 2 Duo SP9400	Celeron 2957U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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.

Core 2 Duo SP9400 Benchmark Check

Celeron 2957U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo SP9400 and Celeron 2957U

Core 2 Duo SP9400

The Core 2 Duo SP9400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 August 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,083 points. Launch price was $284.

Celeron 2957U

The Celeron 2957U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 1.4 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,077 points. Launch price was $107.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo SP9400 and Celeron 2957U share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SP9400 versus 1.4 GHz on the Celeron 2957U — a 52.6% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo SP9400 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 1.4 GHz). The Core 2 Duo SP9400 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Celeron 2957U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SP9400 scores 2,083 against the Celeron 2957U's 2,077 — a 0.3% lead for the Core 2 Duo SP9400. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 340 vs 284, a 17.9% lead for the Core 2 Duo SP9400 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SP9400 vs 2 MB on the Celeron 2957U.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SP9400	Celeron 2957U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz+71%	1.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+71%	1.4 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB L2 Cache+200%	2 MB
L2 Cache	6 MB+1100%	512 kB
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,083	2,077
Geekbench 6 Single	340+20%	284
Geekbench 6 Multi	600	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo SP9400 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Celeron 2957U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1066 memory speed. The Celeron 2957U supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Chipset compatibility: GS45 (Core 2 Duo SP9400) and Wildcat Point-LP (Celeron 2957U).

Feature	Core 2 Duo SP9400	Celeron 2957U
Socket	BGA956	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	16 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	10

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x virtualization. The Celeron 2957U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Haswell)), while the Core 2 Duo SP9400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Duo SP9400 targets Budget, Celeron 2957U targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo SP9400 rivals Athlon II X2 245e; Celeron 2957U rivals Pentium 2117U.