Core i7-860S vs Celeron G3950
Core i7-860S
Celeron G3950
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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 i7-860S is positioned at rank 1033 and the Celeron G3950 is on rank 457, so the Celeron G3950 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-860S
Performance Per Dollar Celeron G3950
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-860S | Celeron G3950 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($96) | ✅ More affordable ($30) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Lynnfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm) | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-860S | Celeron G3950 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+222%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($96) | ✅ More affordable ($30) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-860S and Celeron G3950
Core i7-860S
The Core i7-860S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 82 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,324 points. Launch price was $422.
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
The Core i7-860S packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Celeron G3950 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Core i7-860S has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.46 GHz on the Core i7-860S versus 3 GHz on the Celeron G3950 — a 14.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-860S (base: 2.53 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i7-860S uses the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Celeron G3950 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-860S scores 2,324 against the Celeron G3950's 2,336 — a 0.5% lead for the Celeron G3950. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 451 vs 750, a 49.8% lead for the Celeron G3950 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,332 vs 1,100 (19.1% advantage for the Core i7-860S). L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-860S vs 2 MB (total) on the Celeron G3950.
| Feature | Core i7-860S | Celeron G3950 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8+100% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 3.46 GHz+15% | 3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.53 GHz | 3 GHz+19% |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total)+300% | 2 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 14 nm-69% |
| Architecture | Lynnfield (2009−2010) | Kaby Lake (2016−2019) |
| PassMark | 2,324 | 2,336 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 451 | 750+66% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,332+21% | 1,100 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-860S uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron G3950 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i7-860S 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 16 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: P55,H55,H57,Q57 (Core i7-860S) and H110,B250,H270,Z270 (Celeron G3950).
| Feature | Core i7-860S | Celeron G3950 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1156 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR4-2400+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 64 GB+300% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: Yes (Core i7-860S) vs VT-x (Celeron G3950). The Celeron G3950 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 610), while the Core i7-860S requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G3950 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron G3950 rivals Pentium G4560.
| Feature | Core i7-860S | Celeron G3950 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | HD Graphics 610 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | Yes | VT-x |
| Target Use | — | Budget |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-860S launched at $299 MSRP, while the Celeron G3950 debuted at $52. At current prices ($96 vs $30), the Celeron G3950 is $66 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-860S delivers 24.2 pts/$ vs 77.9 pts/$ for the Celeron G3950 — making the Celeron G3950 the 105.1% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-860S | Celeron G3950 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $299 | $52-83% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $96 | $30-69% |
| Performance per Dollar | 24.2 | 77.9+222% |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2017 |
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