Core i3-3229Y vs Pentium D 960

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.

Core i3-3229Y vs Pentium D 960 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.

Core i3-3229Y vs Pentium D 960: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-3229Y

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4000, while Pentium D 960 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌293.8% higher power demand at 512W vs 130W.

Pentium D 960

2006

Why buy it

✅Draws 130W instead of 512W, a 382W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,005 vs 1,014).
❌Launch MSRP is still $523 MSRP, while Core i3-3229Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-3229Y can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium D 960 better than Core i3-3229Y?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium D 960 is ahead with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-3229Y pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-3229Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium D 960 is the better buy right now. Pentium D 960 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $523 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i3-3229Y is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.9% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (1.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i3-3229Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2006) 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.

Core i3-3229Y vs Pentium D 960 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-3229Y

The Core i3-3229Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-Y (2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 1.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 13 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,014 points. Launch price was $250.

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.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-3229Y packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium D 960's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.4 GHz on the Core i3-3229Y versus 3.6 GHz on the Pentium D 960 — a 88% clock advantage for the Pentium D 960 (base: 1.4 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i3-3229Y uses the Ivy Bridge-Y (2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium D 960 uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3229Y scores 1,014 against the Pentium D 960's 1,005 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i3-3229Y. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3229Y vs 0 kB on the Pentium D 960.

Feature	Core i3-3229Y	Pentium D 960
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.4 GHz	3.6 GHz+157%
Base Clock	1.4 GHz	3.6 GHz+157%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB (total)
Process	22 nm-66%	65 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge-Y (2013)	NetBurst (2000−2006)
PassMark	1,014	1,005
Geekbench 6 Single	350	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-3229Y uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium D 960 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-3229Y	Pentium D 960
Socket	BGA1023	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, EPT (Core i3-3229Y) / not specified (Pentium D 960). The Core i3-3229Y includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Pentium D 960 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3229Y targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i3-3229Y rivals Athlon Silver 3050GE.