CPU
GPU
Core 2 Duo E6320
Pentium B980
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 E6320 is positioned at rank 1051 and the Pentium B980 is on rank 1110, so the Core 2 Duo E6320 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 E6320
Performance Per Dollar Pentium B980
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E6320 | Pentium B980 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($5) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($35) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Conroe (2006−2007) / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E6320 | Pentium B980 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+609%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($5) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($35) |
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.
League of Legends
Valorant
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo E6320 and Pentium B980
Core 2 Duo E6320
The Core 2 Duo E6320 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Conroe (2006−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.86 GHz, with boost up to 1.86 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,115 points. Launch price was $249.
Pentium B980
The Pentium B980 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 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: 1,101 points. Launch price was $125.
Processing Power
Both the Core 2 Duo E6320 and Pentium B980 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.86 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E6320 versus 2.4 GHz on the Pentium B980 — a 25.4% clock advantage for the Pentium B980 (base: 1.86 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E6320 uses the Conroe (2006−2007) architecture (65 nm), while the Pentium B980 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E6320 scores 1,115 against the Pentium B980's 1,101 — a 1.3% lead for the Core 2 Duo E6320. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo E6320 vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium B980.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E6320 | Pentium B980 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 1.86 GHz | 2.4 GHz+29% |
| Base Clock | 1.86 GHz | 2.4 GHz+29% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 2 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB+1500% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 65 nm | 32 nm-51% |
| Architecture | Conroe (2006−2007) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,115+1% | 1,101 |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Duo E6320 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium B980 uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E6320 | Pentium B980 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | PGA988 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 2.0+82% |
| Max RAM Speed | 1066 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: true (Core 2 Duo E6320) / not specified (Pentium B980). Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E6320 rivals Athlon 64 X2 4200+.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E6320 | Pentium B980 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | — |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
Value Analysis
The Core 2 Duo E6320 launched at $163 MSRP, while the Pentium B980 debuted at $125. At current prices ($5 vs $35), the Core 2 Duo E6320 is $30 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo E6320 delivers 223.0 pts/$ vs 31.5 pts/$ for the Pentium B980 — making the Core 2 Duo E6320 the 150.6% better value option.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E6320 | Pentium B980 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $163 | $125-23% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $5-86% | $35 |
| Performance per Dollar | 223.0+608% | 31.5 |
| Release Date | 2007 | 2012 |
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