Pentium E2220 vs Celeron 2981U
Pentium E2220
Celeron 2981U
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 Pentium E2220 is positioned at rank 569 and the Celeron 2981U is on rank 426, so the Celeron 2981U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Pentium E2220
Performance Per Dollar Celeron 2981U
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Pentium E2220 | Celeron 2981U |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($32) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($137) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Pentium E2220 | Celeron 2981U |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+325%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($32) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($137) |
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 Pentium E2220 and Celeron 2981U
Pentium E2220
The Pentium E2220 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. Base frequency: 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 1 MB L2 Cache. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,028 points. Launch price was $69.
Celeron 2981U
The Celeron 2981U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.6 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: 1,036 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The Celeron 2981U is built on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. In PassMark, the Pentium E2220 scores 1,028 against the Celeron 2981U's 1,036 — a 0.8% lead for the Celeron 2981U. L3 cache: 1 MB L2 Cache on the Pentium E2220 vs 2 MB on the Celeron 2981U.
| Feature | Pentium E2220 | Celeron 2981U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | — | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | — | 1.6 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz+50% | 1.6 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 1 MB L2 Cache | 2 MB+100% |
| L2 Cache | — | 512 kB |
| Process | 65 nm | 22 nm-66% |
| Architecture | — | Haswell (2013−2015) |
| PassMark | 1,028 | 1,036 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 330 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 590 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Pentium E2220 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron 2981U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-800 on the Pentium E2220 versus DDR3L-1600 on the Celeron 2981U — the Celeron 2981U supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron 2981U supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Pentium E2220) vs 12 (Celeron 2981U) — the Celeron 2981U offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: G31,G41 (Pentium E2220) and Wildcat Point-LP (Celeron 2981U).
| Feature | Pentium E2220 | Celeron 2981U |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | FCBGA1168 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR2-800 | DDR3L-1600+50% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 4 GB | 16 GB+300% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 12 |
Advanced Features
Only the Pentium E2220 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: None (Pentium E2220) vs VT-x (Celeron 2981U). The Celeron 2981U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Haswell)), while the Pentium E2220 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium E2220 targets Legacy Desktop, Celeron 2981U targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 2981U rivals Pentium 2117U.
| Feature | Pentium E2220 | Celeron 2981U |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | None | HD Graphics (Haswell) |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | None | VT-x |
| Target Use | Legacy Desktop | Budget |
Value Analysis
The Pentium E2220 launched at $32 MSRP, while the Celeron 2981U debuted at $137.
| Feature | Pentium E2220 | Celeron 2981U |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $32-77% | $137 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $32 | — |
| Release Date | 2008 | 2014 |
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