Core i3-560 vs Pentium 967
Core i3-560
Pentium 967
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-560 is positioned at rank 964 and the Pentium 967 is on rank 1031, so the Core i3-560 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-560
Performance Per Dollar Pentium 967
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-560 | Pentium 967 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-560 | Pentium 967 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+0%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-560 and Pentium 967
Core i3-560
The Core i3-560 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 August 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 0.33 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,642 points. Launch price was $190.
Pentium 967
The Pentium 967 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 October 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 1.3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,640 points. Launch price was $134.
Processing Power
The Core i3-560 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium 967's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 0.33 GHz on the Core i3-560 versus 1.3 GHz on the Pentium 967 — a 119% clock advantage for the Pentium 967 (base: 3.33 GHz vs 1.3 GHz). The Core i3-560 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium 967 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-560 scores 1,642 against the Pentium 967's 1,640 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i3-560. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-560 vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 967.
| Feature | Core i3-560 | Pentium 967 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 0.33 GHz | 1.3 GHz+294% |
| Base Clock | 3.33 GHz+156% | 1.3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total)+100% | 2 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Clarkdale (2010−2011) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,642 | 1,640 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-560 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium 967 uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-560 | Pentium 967 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1156 | BGA1023 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-560 launched at $138 MSRP, while the Pentium 967 debuted at $134. At current prices ($10 vs $10), the Pentium 967 is $0 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-560 delivers 164.2 pts/$ vs 164.0 pts/$ for the Pentium 967 — making the Core i3-560 the 0.1% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-560 | Pentium 967 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $138 | $134-3% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $10 | $10 |
| Performance per Dollar | 164.2 | 164.0 |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2011 |
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