3015e vs Pentium B940

3015e vs Pentium B940 Performance Spectrum

3015e

2 / 4

2,618

+0.3%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Pentium B940

2 / 2

2,610

0.0%

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.

3015e vs Pentium B940 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

3015e vs Pentium B940: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

3015e

2020

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 1W instead of 35W, a 34W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Vega 3, while Pentium B940 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Pentium B940

2011

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,610 vs 2,618).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $134 MSRP, while 3015e mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌3400% higher power demand at 35W vs 1W.
❌No integrated graphics, while 3015e can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is 3015e better than Pentium B940?

Yes. 3015e is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.8% average FPS lead across 47 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, 3015e is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.8% more average FPS across 47 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, 3015e is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

3015e is still the much better call for a fresh build. 3015e comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.8% average FPS lead across 47 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium B940 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (19.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA988.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

3015e makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2011), 100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

3015e vs Pentium B940 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

3015e

The 3015e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Pollock (Zen) (2020) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FT5. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB + 4 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,618 points. Launch price was $50.

Pentium B940

The Pentium B940 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,610 points. Launch price was $134.

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Processing Power

The 3015e packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium B940's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the 3015e versus 2 GHz on the Pentium B940 — a 14% clock advantage for the 3015e (base: 1.2 GHz vs 2 GHz). The 3015e uses the Pollock (Zen) (2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium B940 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the 3015e scores 2,618 against the Pentium B940's 2,610 — a 0.3% lead for the 3015e. L3 cache: 4 MB on the 3015e vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium B940.

Feature	3015e	Pentium B940
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz+15%	2 GHz
Base Clock	1.2 GHz	2 GHz+67%
L3 Cache	4 MB+100%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Pollock (Zen) (2020)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	2,618	2,610

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Memory & Platform

The 3015e uses the FT5 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium B940 uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	3015e	Pentium B940
Socket	FT5	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	16	—
RAM Channels	1	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	8	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (3015e) / not specified (Pentium B940). The 3015e includes integrated graphics (Vega 3), while the Pentium B940 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: 3015e rivals Celeron N4120.