Core i3-5157U vs Pentium B940

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 i3-5157U vs Pentium B940 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 i3-5157U vs Pentium B940: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-5157U

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Graphics 6100, while Pentium B940 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,593 vs 2,610).
❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.

Pentium B940

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-5157U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $134 MSRP, while Core i3-5157U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-5157U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium B940 better than Core i3-5157U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-5157U is ahead with a 3.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium B940 pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark. Core i3-5157U also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium B940 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium B940 is the better buy right now. Pentium B940 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $134 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i3-5157U is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (19.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-5157U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2011) and 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-5157U vs Pentium B940 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-5157U

The Core i3-5157U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,593 points. Launch price was $315.

Pentium B940

The Pentium B940 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 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: 2,610 points. Launch price was $134.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-5157U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium B940's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Core i3-5157U versus 2 GHz on the Pentium B940 — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Core i3-5157U (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i3-5157U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium B940 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-5157U scores 2,593 against the Pentium B940's 2,610 — a 0.7% lead for the Pentium B940. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-5157U vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium B940.

Feature	Core i3-5157U	Pentium B940
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz+25%	2 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+25%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)+50%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	2,593	2,610
Geekbench 6 Single	793	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-5157U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium B940 uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-5157U	Pentium B940
Socket	FCBGA1168	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR3-1866	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-5157U) / not specified (Pentium B940). The Core i3-5157U includes integrated graphics (Iris Graphics 6100), while the Pentium B940 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-5157U targets Premium Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-5157U rivals A12-8800B.