Core i5-5350U 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 i5-5350U 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 i5-5350U 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 i5-5350U

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.6% higher average FPS across 47 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 HD Graphics 6000, while Pentium B940 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,589 vs 2,610).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.2 vs 19.5 PassMark/$ ($315 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.

Pentium B940

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $181 less on MSRP ($134 MSRP vs $315 MSRP).
✅Delivers 137.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 19.5 vs 8.2 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $315 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-5350U across 47 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-5350U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium B940 better than Core i5-5350U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-5350U is ahead with a 3.6% average FPS lead across 47 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium B940 pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Core i5-5350U 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 0.8% 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 $181 cheaper on MSRP at $134 MSRP versus $315 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-5350U is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.6% average FPS lead across 47 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 137.0% better value on MSRP (19.5 vs 8.2 PassMark/$), 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 i5-5350U 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 i5-5350U vs Pentium B940 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-5350U

The Core i5-5350U 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 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,589 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 i5-5350U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium B940's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-5350U versus 2 GHz on the Pentium B940 — a 36.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-5350U (base: 1.8 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-5350U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium B940 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-5350U scores 2,589 against the Pentium B940's 2,610 — a 0.8% lead for the Pentium B940. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-5350U vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium B940.

Feature	Core i5-5350U	Pentium B940
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz+45%	2 GHz
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	2 GHz+11%
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	2,589	2,610

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-5350U 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 i5-5350U	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 (Core i5-5350U) / not specified (Pentium B940). The Core i5-5350U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 6000), while the Pentium B940 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-5350U targets Mobile.

Feature	Core i5-5350U	Pentium B940
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 6000	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Mobile	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-5350U was priced at $315, while the Pentium B940 came in at $134. On launch pricing ($315 vs $134), Pentium B940 was $181 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-5350U delivers 8.2 pts/$ vs 19.5 pts/$ for the Pentium B940 — making the Pentium B940 the 81.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-5350U	Pentium B940
MSRP	$315	$134-57%
Performance per Dollar	8.2	19.5+138%
Release Date	2015	2011

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