Core i3-350M vs Pentium Extreme Edition 955

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 i3-350M vs Pentium Extreme Edition 955 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 i3-350M vs Pentium Extreme Edition 955: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-350M

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $869 less on MSRP ($130 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 663.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 8.4 vs 1.1 PassMark/$ ($130 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 130W, a 95W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics, while Pentium Extreme Edition 955 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,088 vs 1,095).

Pentium Extreme Edition 955

2005

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 1.1 vs 8.4 PassMark/$ ($999 MSRP vs $130 MSRP).
❌271.4% higher power demand at 130W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-350M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium Extreme Edition 955 better than Core i3-350M?

Yes. Pentium Extreme Edition 955 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.6% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium Extreme Edition 955 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.8% 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 Extreme Edition 955 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium Extreme Edition 955 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium Extreme Edition 955 comes in 668.5% more expensive on MSRP at $999 MSRP versus $130 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-350M only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 663.5% better value on paper (8.4 vs 1.1 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA988.

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

Core i3-350M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2005). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-350M vs Pentium Extreme Edition 955 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-350M

The Core i3-350M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 0.27 GHz. L3 cache: 3 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: 1,088 points. Launch price was $130.

Pentium Extreme Edition 955

The Pentium Extreme Edition 955 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 December 2005 (19 years ago). It is based on the Presler (2005−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.466 GHz, with boost up to 0.47 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 1,095 points. Launch price was $999.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-350M and Pentium Extreme Edition 955 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 0.27 GHz on the Core i3-350M versus 0.47 GHz on the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 — a 54.1% clock advantage for the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 (base: 2.26 GHz vs 3.466 GHz). The Core i3-350M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 uses Presler (2005−2007) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-350M scores 1,088 against the Pentium Extreme Edition 955's 1,095 — a 0.6% lead for the Pentium Extreme Edition 955.

Feature	Core i3-350M	Pentium Extreme Edition 955
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	0.27 GHz	0.47 GHz+74%
Base Clock	2.26 GHz	3.466 GHz+53%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB (per core)
Process	32 nm-51%	65 nm
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Presler (2005−2007)
PassMark	1,088	1,095
Geekbench 6 Single	280	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	650	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-350M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-350M	Pentium Extreme Edition 955
Socket	PGA988	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-350M) / not specified (Pentium Extreme Edition 955). The Core i3-350M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-350M targets Entry Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-350M rivals AMD Athlon II P320.

Feature	Core i3-350M	Pentium Extreme Edition 955
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Entry Laptop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-350M was priced at $130, while the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 came in at $999. On launch pricing ($130 vs $999), Core i3-350M was $869 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-350M delivers 8.4 pts/$ vs 1.1 pts/$ for the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 — making the Core i3-350M the 153.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-350M	Pentium Extreme Edition 955
MSRP	$130-87%	$999
Performance per Dollar	8.4+664%	1.1
Release Date	2010	2005

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