Core i3-370M vs Pentium E6500

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 i3-370M vs Pentium E6500 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 i3-370M vs Pentium E6500: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-370M

2010

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics, while Pentium E6500 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,170 vs 1,175).
❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.

Pentium E6500

2009

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $84 MSRP, while Core i3-370M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-370M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium E6500 better than Core i3-370M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-370M is ahead with a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium E6500 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium E6500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium E6500 is the better buy right now. Pentium E6500 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $84 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i3-370M is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (14.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-370M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-370M vs Pentium E6500 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-370M

The Core i3-370M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 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: 1,170 points. Launch price was $245.

Pentium E6500

The Pentium E6500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 August 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.93 GHz, with boost up to 0.93 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,175 points. Launch price was $50.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-370M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium E6500's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-370M versus 0.93 GHz on the Pentium E6500 — a 88.3% clock advantage for the Core i3-370M (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.93 GHz). The Core i3-370M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium E6500 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-370M scores 1,170 against the Pentium E6500's 1,175 — a 0.4% lead for the Pentium E6500. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-370M vs 0 kB on the Pentium E6500.

Feature	Core i3-370M	Pentium E6500
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz+158%	0.93 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.93 GHz+22%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB (total)
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Wolfdale (2008−2010)
PassMark	1,170	1,175
Geekbench 6 Single	315	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	700	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-370M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium E6500 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-370M	Pentium E6500
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 i3-370M) / not specified (Pentium E6500). The Core i3-370M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Pentium E6500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-370M targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-370M rivals AMD Athlon II P320.