Core i3-370M vs Pentium Extreme Edition 965

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 Extreme Edition 965 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 Extreme Edition 965: 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 Extreme Edition 965 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

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

Pentium Extreme Edition 965

2006

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,165 vs 1,170).
❌Launch MSRP is still $999 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 Core i3-370M better than Pentium Extreme Edition 965?

Yes. Core i3-370M is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-370M is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.9% 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, Core i3-370M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-370M is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-370M comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $999 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium Extreme Edition 965 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2006 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (1.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA775.

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 2006) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-370M vs Pentium Extreme Edition 965 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 Extreme Edition 965

The Pentium Extreme Edition 965 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 March 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the Presler (2005−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.733 GHz, with boost up to 0.73 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: 1,165 points. Launch price was $999.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-370M and Pentium Extreme Edition 965 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-370M versus 0.73 GHz on the Pentium Extreme Edition 965 — a 106.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-370M (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.733 GHz). The Core i3-370M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium Extreme Edition 965 uses Presler (2005−2007) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-370M scores 1,170 against the Pentium Extreme Edition 965's 1,165 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i3-370M.

Feature	Core i3-370M	Pentium Extreme Edition 965
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz+229%	0.73 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	3.733 GHz+56%
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	1,170	1,165
Geekbench 6 Single	315	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	700	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-370M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Extreme Edition 965 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-370M	Pentium Extreme Edition 965
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	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-370M) / not specified (Pentium Extreme Edition 965). The Core i3-370M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Pentium Extreme Edition 965 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-370M targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-370M rivals AMD Athlon II P320.