Pentium Dual Core T2390 vs Celeron 3965U

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 Pentium Dual Core T2390 is positioned at rank 863 and the Celeron 3965U is on rank 265, so the Celeron 3965U 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 Pentium Dual Core T2390

#851

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1425%

#852

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1404%

#853

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1289%

#854

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1283%

#855

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1271%

#857

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1228%

#858

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1177%

#859

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1175%

#860

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1144%

#863

Pentium Dual Core T2390

MSRP: $86|Avg: $5

100%

#867

Core i7-1160G7

MSRP: $426|Avg: N/A

99%

#873

Celeron M 540

MSRP: $86|Avg: $20

98%

#877

Microsoft SQ1

MSRP: $300|Avg: $180

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Celeron 3965U

#73

Core i9-13950HX

MSRP: $590|Avg: $199

99%

#253

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

418%

#254

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

412%

#255

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

378%

#256

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

377%

#257

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

373%

#259

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

361%

#260

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

346%

#261

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

345%

#262

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

336%

#265

Celeron 3965U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#277

Core 2 Extreme X9100

MSRP: $851|Avg: N/A

98%

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 3965U (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Pentium Dual Core T2390	Celeron 3965U
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($5)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (NetBurst (2000−2006) / 65 nm)	✨ Modern (Kaby Lake-U (2017) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Pentium Dual Core T2390 (2008) relies on 65 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Pentium Dual Core T2390	Celeron 3965U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($5)	✅ 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.

Pentium Dual Core T2390 Benchmark Check

Celeron 3965U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Pentium Dual Core T2390 and Celeron 3965U

Pentium Dual Core T2390

The Pentium Dual Core T2390 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.86 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,771 points. Launch price was $69.

Celeron 3965U

The Celeron 3965U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-U (2017) 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 (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,753 points. Launch price was $107.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Pentium Dual Core T2390 and Celeron 3965U share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.86 GHz on the Pentium Dual Core T2390 versus 2.2 GHz on the Celeron 3965U — a 16.7% clock advantage for the Celeron 3965U. The Pentium Dual Core T2390 uses the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture (65 nm), while the Celeron 3965U uses Kaby Lake-U (2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium Dual Core T2390 scores 1,771 against the Celeron 3965U's 1,753 — a 1% lead for the Pentium Dual Core T2390.

Feature	Pentium Dual Core T2390	Celeron 3965U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.86 GHz	2.2 GHz+18%
Base Clock	—	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	—	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB+300%	256K (per core)
Process	65 nm	14 nm-78%
Architecture	NetBurst (2000−2006)	Kaby Lake-U (2017)
PassMark	1,771+1%	1,753
Geekbench 6 Single	—	600
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,200

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium Dual Core T2390 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Celeron 3965U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium Dual Core T2390	Celeron 3965U
Socket	PGA478	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	10

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Pentium Dual Core T2390) / VT-x (Celeron 3965U). The Celeron 3965U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 610), while the Pentium Dual Core T2390 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 3965U targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: Celeron 3965U rivals Pentium Gold 4415U.