Core 2 Duo T6600 vs Celeron G3950

Core 2 Duo T6600

2 Cores2 Thrd2 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2009

Celeron G3950

2 Cores2 Thrd51 WWMax: 3 GHz2017

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo T6600

2 / 2

2,355

+0.8%

2,336

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 T6600 is positioned at rank 13 and the Celeron G3950 is on rank 457, so the Core 2 Duo T6600 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 T6600

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

125%

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

123%

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

113%

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

112%

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

111%

#10

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

107%

#11

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

103%

#12

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

103%

#13

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

100%

#17

Core i3-350M

MSRP: $130|Avg: $10

92%

#18

Atom x5-E8000

MSRP: $18|Avg: N/A

91%

#19

Core 2 Duo T5900

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

90%

#22

Core i3-3130M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

81%

#23

Core 2 Duo T5550

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

78%

#24

Core 2 Duo T7100

MSRP: $197|Avg: $15

77%

#27

Pentium 2030M

MSRP: $134|Avg: N/A

74%

#28

Core 2 Duo T5750

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $8

74%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Celeron G3950

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

6939%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

6557%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

4761%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

1434%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

1136%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

994%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

569%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

562%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

512%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

511%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

506%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

492%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

485%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

483%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

479%

#356

Ryzen Embedded V1605B

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

100%

#357

Core i9-10900K

MSRP: $499|Avg: $500

100%

#358

Celeron G4930

MSRP: $42|Avg: $57

100%

#359

Ryzen 7 2700E

MSRP: $329|Avg: $329

99%

#360

Ryzen Embedded V2516

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

99%

#361

Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

MSRP: $2499|Avg: $2442

99%

#362

Core i9-14901E

MSRP: $557|Avg: $689

98%

#363

Celeron G5900T

MSRP: $42|Avg: $50

98%

#457

Celeron G3950

MSRP: $52|Avg: $30

100%

#462

Athlon X2 340

MSRP: $30|Avg: $15

99%

#466

Pentium G4600

MSRP: $82|Avg: $116

99%

#467

Celeron G3900TE

MSRP: $42|Avg: $45

98%

#471

Pentium G4620

MSRP: $86|Avg: $154

97%

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 G3950 (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4 2133, DDR3L 1333/1600, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Duo T6600	Celeron G3950
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($4)	⚠️ Higher cost ($30)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)	✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo T6600 (2009) relies on 45 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core 2 Duo T6600	Celeron G3950
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+656%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($4)	⚠️ Higher cost ($30)

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 T6600 Benchmark Check

Celeron G3950 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo T6600 and Celeron G3950

Core 2 Duo T6600

The Core 2 Duo T6600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,355 points. Launch price was $249.

Celeron G3950

The Celeron G3950 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 2133, DDR3L 1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,336 points. Launch price was $52.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo T6600 and Celeron G3950 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T6600 versus 3 GHz on the Celeron G3950 — a 30.8% clock advantage for the Celeron G3950 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T6600 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Celeron G3950 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T6600 scores 2,355 against the Celeron G3950's 2,336 — a 0.8% lead for the Core 2 Duo T6600. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 200 vs 750, a 115.8% lead for the Celeron G3950 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 350 vs 1,100 (103.4% advantage for the Celeron G3950). L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T6600 vs 2 MB (total) on the Celeron G3950.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T6600	Celeron G3950
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz	3 GHz+36%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	3 GHz+36%
L3 Cache	2 MB L2 Cache	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB+700%	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	2,355	2,336
Geekbench 6 Single	200	750+275%
Geekbench 6 Multi	350	1,100+214%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo T6600 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Celeron G3950 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-800 on the Core 2 Duo T6600 versus DDR4-2400 on the Celeron G3950 — the Celeron G3950 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron G3950 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 155.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Core 2 Duo T6600) vs 16 (Celeron G3950) — the Celeron G3950 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: GM45,PM45 (Core 2 Duo T6600) and H110,B250,H270,Z270 (Celeron G3950).

Feature	Core 2 Duo T6600	Celeron G3950
Socket	PGA478	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-800	DDR4-2400+33%
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	64 GB+700%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	✅
PCIe Lanes	0	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x virtualization. The Celeron G3950 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 610), while the Core 2 Duo T6600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T6600 targets Legacy Laptop, Celeron G3950 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron G3950 rivals Pentium G4560.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T6600	Celeron G3950
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	None	HD Graphics 610
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x
Target Use	Legacy Laptop	Budget

💰

Value Analysis

At current prices ($4 vs $30), the Core 2 Duo T6600 is $26 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo T6600 delivers 588.8 pts/$ vs 77.9 pts/$ for the Celeron G3950 — making the Core 2 Duo T6600 the 153.3% better value option.