Core 2 Duo T7250 vs Celeron 2957U

Core 2 Duo T7250

2 Cores2 Thrd2 WWMax: 2 GHz2007

Celeron 2957U

2 Cores2 Thrd512 WWMax: 1.4 GHz2014

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo T7250

2 / 2

2,073

0.0%

2,077

+0.2%

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 Core 2 Duo T7250 is positioned at rank 20 and the Celeron 2957U is on rank 53, so the Core 2 Duo T7250 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 T7250

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

142%

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

139%

#10

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

128%

#11

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

127%

#12

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

126%

#14

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

122%

#15

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

117%

#16

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

117%

#17

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

114%

#20

Core 2 Duo T7250

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#22

Core i3-3130M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

92%

#23

Core 2 Duo T5550

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

88%

#24

Core 2 Duo T7100

MSRP: $197|Avg: $15

88%

#27

Pentium 2030M

MSRP: $134|Avg: N/A

84%

#28

Core 2 Duo T5750

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $8

84%

#29

Core 2 Duo T7200

MSRP: $286|Avg: $6

83%

#30

Core i5-3230M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $13

82%

#31

Atom D525

MSRP: $63|Avg: N/A

82%

#32

Atom x7835RE

MSRP: $127|Avg: N/A

82%

#33

Core 2 Duo P8400

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

80%

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 T7250	Celeron 2957U
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Merom (2006−2008) / 65 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo T7250 (2007) relies on 65 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core 2 Duo T7250	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 T7250 Benchmark Check

Celeron 2957U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo T7250 and Celeron 2957U

Core 2 Duo T7250

The Core 2 Duo T7250 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Merom (2006−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,073 points. Launch price was $249.

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 T7250 and Celeron 2957U share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T7250 versus 1.4 GHz on the Celeron 2957U — a 35.3% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo T7250 (base: 2 GHz vs 1.4 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T7250 uses the Merom (2006−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Celeron 2957U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T7250 scores 2,073 against the Celeron 2957U's 2,077 — a 0.2% lead for the Celeron 2957U. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo T7250 vs 2 MB on the Celeron 2957U.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T7250	Celeron 2957U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2 GHz+43%	1.4 GHz
Base Clock	2 GHz+43%	1.4 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	2 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB+300%	512 kB
Process	65 nm	22 nm-66%
Architecture	Merom (2006−2008)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,073	2,077
Geekbench 6 Single	—	284

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo T7250 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Celeron 2957U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-667 on the Core 2 Duo T7250 versus DDR3L-1600 on the Celeron 2957U — the Celeron 2957U supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Chipset compatibility: GM965,PM965 (Core 2 Duo T7250) and Wildcat Point-LP (Celeron 2957U).

Feature	Core 2 Duo T7250	Celeron 2957U
Socket	PGA478	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR2-667	DDR3L-1600+50%
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
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 T7250 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T7250 targets Budget, Celeron 2957U targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo T7250 rivals Athlon 64 X2 TK-42; Celeron 2957U rivals Pentium 2117U.