CPU
GPU
Core 2 Duo E4700
Pentium D 960
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 Core 2 Duo E4700 is positioned at rank 1035 and the Pentium D 960 is on rank 1104, so the Core 2 Duo E4700 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo E4700
Performance Per Dollar Pentium D 960
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E4700 | Pentium D 960 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($10) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Allendale (2006−2009) / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (NetBurst (2000−2006) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E4700 | Pentium D 960 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+51%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($10) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) |
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 Core 2 Duo E4700 and Pentium D 960
Core 2 Duo E4700
The Core 2 Duo E4700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Allendale (2006−2009) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,011 points. Launch price was $249.
Pentium D 960
The Pentium D 960 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,005 points. Launch price was $523.
Processing Power
Both the Core 2 Duo E4700 and Pentium D 960 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E4700 versus 3.6 GHz on the Pentium D 960 — a 32.3% clock advantage for the Pentium D 960 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E4700 uses the Allendale (2006−2009) architecture (65 nm), while the Pentium D 960 uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E4700 scores 1,011 against the Pentium D 960's 1,005 — a 0.6% lead for the Core 2 Duo E4700. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E4700 | Pentium D 960 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.6 GHz | 3.6 GHz+38% |
| Base Clock | 2.6 GHz | 3.6 GHz+38% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 2 MB (total) |
| Process | 65 nm | 65 nm |
| Architecture | Allendale (2006−2009) | NetBurst (2000−2006) |
| PassMark | 1,011 | 1,005 |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA775 socket with PCIe 1.1.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E4700 | Pentium D 960 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | LGA775 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | 800 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: false (Core 2 Duo E4700) / not specified (Pentium D 960). Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E4700 rivals Athlon 64 X2 5000+.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E4700 | Pentium D 960 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | — |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | false | — |
Value Analysis
The Core 2 Duo E4700 launched at $133 MSRP, while the Pentium D 960 debuted at $523. At current prices ($10 vs $15), the Core 2 Duo E4700 is $5 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo E4700 delivers 101.1 pts/$ vs 67.0 pts/$ for the Pentium D 960 — making the Core 2 Duo E4700 the 40.6% better value option.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E4700 | Pentium D 960 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $133-75% | $523 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $10-33% | $15 |
| Performance per Dollar | 101.1+51% | 67.0 |
| Release Date | 2008 | 2006 |
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