Core 2 Extreme X9100 vs Celeron 2957U

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 Extreme X9100 is positioned at rank 277 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 Extreme X9100

#82

Core i7-11700B

MSRP: $323|Avg: $311

97%

#265

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

427%

#266

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

420%

#267

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

386%

#268

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

384%

#269

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

381%

#271

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

368%

#272

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

352%

#273

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

352%

#274

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

342%

#277

Core 2 Extreme X9100

MSRP: $851|Avg: N/A

100%

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 Extreme X9100	Celeron 2957U
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($851)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Penryn XE (2008) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Extreme X9100 (2008) relies on 45 nm technology and **DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard**, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core 2 Extreme X9100	Celeron 2957U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($851)	✅ 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.

Core 2 Extreme X9100 Benchmark Check

Celeron 2957U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Extreme X9100 and Celeron 2957U

Core 2 Extreme X9100

The Core 2 Extreme X9100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 July 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn XE (2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.06 GHz, with boost up to 0.07 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 44 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 2,063 points. Launch price was $851.

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 Extreme X9100 and Celeron 2957U share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 0.07 GHz on the Core 2 Extreme X9100 versus 1.4 GHz on the Celeron 2957U — a 181% clock advantage for the Celeron 2957U (base: 3.06 GHz vs 1.4 GHz). The Core 2 Extreme X9100 uses the Penryn XE (2008) architecture (45 nm), while the Celeron 2957U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Extreme X9100 scores 2,063 against the Celeron 2957U's 2,077 — a 0.7% lead for the Celeron 2957U. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Extreme X9100 vs 2 MB on the Celeron 2957U.

Feature	Core 2 Extreme X9100	Celeron 2957U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	0.07 GHz	1.4 GHz+1900%
Base Clock	3.06 GHz+119%	1.4 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	2 MB
L2 Cache	6 MB+1100%	512 kB
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Penryn XE (2008)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,063	2,077
Geekbench 6 Single	—	284

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Extreme X9100 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Celeron 2957U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Extreme X9100	Celeron 2957U
Socket	PGA478	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	10

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Extreme X9100) / VT-x (Celeron 2957U). The Celeron 2957U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Haswell)), while the Core 2 Extreme X9100 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 2957U targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 2957U rivals Pentium 2117U.