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C-60 vs Pentium 987

CPUCPUGPUGPU
AMD

C-60

2 Cores2 Thrd9 WWMax: 1.33 GHz2011
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Pentium 987

2 Cores2 Thrd17 WWMax: 1.5 GHz2013
Similar parts
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Buy on Amazon

C-60 vs Pentium 987 Performance Spectrum

C-60
2 / 2
1,483
0.0%
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Pentium 987
2 / 2
1,487
+0.3%
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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.

C-60 vs Pentium 987: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

C-60

2011

Why buy it

  • ✅Costs $84 less on MSRP ($50 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
  • ✅Delivers 167.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 29.7 vs 11.1 PassMark/$ ($50 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
  • ✅Draws 9W instead of 17W, a 8W reduction.
  • ✅100+% more PCIe lanes (4 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • ✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 6290, while Pentium 987 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark (1,483 vs 1,487).

Pentium 987

2013

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.1 vs 29.7 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $50 MSRP).
    • ❌88.9% higher power demand at 17W vs 9W.
    • ❌No integrated graphics, while C-60 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Pentium 987 better than C-60?
    Yes. Pentium 987 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 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, Pentium 987 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.0% 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, Pentium 987 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Pentium 987 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Pentium 987 comes in 168.0% more expensive on MSRP at $134 MSRP versus $50 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. C-60 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    Pentium 987 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 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.

    C-60 vs Pentium 987 Technical Specifications

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

    AMD

    C-60

    The C-60 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 22 August 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Ontario (2011−2012) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1 GHz, with boost up to 1.33 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 40 nm process technology. Socket: FT1. Thermal design power (TDP): 9 Watt. Memory support: DDR3 Single-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 1,483 points. Launch price was $69.

    Intel

    Pentium 987

    The Pentium 987 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.5 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,487 points. Launch price was $134.

    ⚡

    Processing Power

    Both the C-60 and Pentium 987 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.33 GHz on the C-60 versus 1.5 GHz on the Pentium 987 — a 12% clock advantage for the Pentium 987 (base: 1 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The C-60 uses the Ontario (2011−2012) architecture (40 nm), while the Pentium 987 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the C-60 scores 1,483 against the Pentium 987's 1,487 — a 0.3% lead for the Pentium 987. L3 cache: 0 kB on the C-60 vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 987.

    FeatureC-60Pentium 987
    Cores / Threads
    2 / 2
    2 / 2
    Boost Clock
    1.33 GHz
    1.5 GHz+13%
    Base Clock
    1 GHz
    1.5 GHz+50%
    L3 Cache
    0 kB
    2 MB (total)
    L2 Cache
    512K (per core)+100%
    256K (per core)
    Process
    40 nm
    32 nm-20%
    Architecture
    Ontario (2011−2012)
    Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
    PassMark
    1,483
    1,487
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The C-60 uses the FT1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium 987 uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeatureC-60Pentium 987
    Socket
    FT1
    BGA1023
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 2.0
    PCIe 2.0
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR3-1066
    —
    Max RAM Capacity
    4 GB
    —
    RAM Channels
    1
    —
    ECC Support
    No
    —
    PCIe Lanes
    4
    —
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    The C-60 includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6290), while the Pentium 987 requires a dedicated GPU.

    FeatureC-60Pentium 987
    Integrated GPU
    Yes
    —
    IGPU Model
    Radeon HD 6290
    —
    💰

    Value Analysis

    At launch, the C-60 was priced at $50, while the Pentium 987 came in at $134. On launch pricing ($50 vs $134), C-60 was $84 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the C-60 delivers 29.7 pts/$ vs 11.1 pts/$ for the Pentium 987 — making the C-60 the 91.1% better value option.

    FeatureC-60Pentium 987
    MSRP
    $50-63%
    $134
    Performance per Dollar
    29.7+168%
    11.1
    Release Date
    2011
    2013
    Search C-60 on AmazonSearch Pentium 987 on Amazon

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