A6-8500P vs Pentium G6960

A6-8500P vs Pentium G6960 Performance Spectrum

A6-8500P

2 / 2

1,445

+0.8%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Pentium G6960

2 / 2

1,433

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.

A6-8500P vs Pentium G6960 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.

A6-8500P vs Pentium G6960: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A6-8500P

2015

Why buy it

✅Draws 1W instead of 73W, a 72W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon R5 Graphics, while Pentium G6960 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.4 vs 16.1 PassMark/$ ($100 MSRP vs $89 MSRP).

Pentium G6960

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $11 less on MSRP ($89 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
✅Delivers 11.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 16.1 vs 14.4 PassMark/$ ($89 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,433 vs 1,445).
❌7200% higher power demand at 73W vs 1W.
❌No integrated graphics, while A6-8500P can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is A6-8500P better than Pentium G6960?

Yes. A6-8500P is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.8% 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, A6-8500P is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.7% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, A6-8500P is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

A6-8500P is still the much better call for a fresh build. A6-8500P comes in 12.4% more expensive on MSRP at $100 MSRP versus $89 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium G6960 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 11.4% better value on paper (16.1 vs 14.4 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1156.

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

A6-8500P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A6-8500P vs Pentium G6960 Technical Specifications

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

A6-8500P

The A6-8500P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Carrizo (2015−2018) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L2 cache: 1024 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FP4. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,445 points. Launch price was $70.

Pentium G6960

The Pentium G6960 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.93 GHz, with boost up to 0.93 GHz. L3 cache: 3072 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,433 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the A6-8500P and Pentium G6960 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the A6-8500P versus 0.93 GHz on the Pentium G6960 — a 105.3% clock advantage for the A6-8500P (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.93 GHz). The A6-8500P uses the Carrizo (2015−2018) architecture (28 nm), while the Pentium G6960 uses Clarkdale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the A6-8500P scores 1,445 against the Pentium G6960's 1,433 — a 0.8% lead for the A6-8500P.

Feature	A6-8500P	Pentium G6960
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3 GHz+223%	0.93 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2.93 GHz+83%
L3 Cache	—	3072 kB (total)
L2 Cache	1024 kB+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	28 nm-13%	32 nm
Architecture	Carrizo (2015−2018)	Clarkdale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,445	1,433

🧠

Memory & Platform

The A6-8500P uses the FP4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium G6960 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A6-8500P	Pentium G6960
Socket	FP4	LGA1156
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	16	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (A6-8500P) / not specified (Pentium G6960). The A6-8500P includes integrated graphics (Radeon R5 Graphics), while the Pentium G6960 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: A6-8500P rivals Pentium 3825U.

Feature	A6-8500P	Pentium G6960
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Radeon R5 Graphics	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the A6-8500P was priced at $100, while the Pentium G6960 came in at $89. On launch pricing ($100 vs $89), Pentium G6960 was $11 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the A6-8500P delivers 14.4 pts/$ vs 16.1 pts/$ for the Pentium G6960 — making the Pentium G6960 the 10.8% better value option.

Feature	A6-8500P	Pentium G6960
MSRP	$100	$89-11%
Performance per Dollar	14.4	16.1+12%
Release Date	2015	2011

Search A6-8500P on Amazon

Search Pentium G6960 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.