Core i5-560UM vs Pentium B960

CPU

GPU

Core i5-560UM

2 Cores4 Thrd18 WWMax: 2.13 GHz2010

Pentium B960

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2011

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-560UM

2 / 4

1,015

0.0%

1,019

+0.4%

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 i5-560UM is positioned at rank 1224 and the Pentium B960 is on rank 1144, so the Pentium B960 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-560UM

#1212

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

7227%

#1213

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

7121%

#1214

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

6537%

#1215

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

6507%

#1216

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

6448%

#1218

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

6227%

#1219

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

5970%

#1220

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

5961%

#1221

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

5800%

#1224

Core i5-560UM

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

100%

#1225

Core i7-660UM

MSRP: $317|Avg: N/A

99%

#1226

C-30

MSRP: $50|Avg: $15

99%

#1228

Core i7-620UM

MSRP: $278|Avg: N/A

97%

#1230

Celeron 570

MSRP: $134|Avg: $15

93%

#1231

Core i7-820QM

MSRP: $546|Avg: N/A

82%

#1233

Core Duo T2700

MSRP: $663|Avg: N/A

69%

#1235

Pentium SU4100

MSRP: $289|Avg: $15

58%

#1236

Core Solo T1400

MSRP: $200|Avg: $5

53%

#1237

Core i7-940XM

MSRP: $1096|Avg: N/A

51%

#1238

Core Solo T1350

MSRP: $200|Avg: $70

50%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Pentium B960

#1132

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3861%

#1133

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3804%

#1134

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3492%

#1135

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

3476%

#1136

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

3444%

#1138

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

3326%

#1139

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

3189%

#1140

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

3184%

#1141

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

3099%

#1144

Pentium B960

MSRP: $134|Avg: $15

100%

#1146

Pentium 957

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

100%

#1147

Core 2 Duo SL9400

MSRP: $284|Avg: N/A

99%

#1149

Pentium N3540

MSRP: $161|Avg: $161

99%

#1150

Core i7-3555LE

MSRP: $300|Avg: $280

98%

#1151

Core i3-2377M

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

97%

#1152

Core 2 Duo E8435

MSRP: $150|Avg: $74

97%

#1153

Celeron M 723

MSRP: $161|Avg: $161

96%

#1154

Core M-5Y51

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

95%

#1155

Core i7-3517UE

MSRP: $330|Avg: $35

95%

#1156

Pentium N3530

MSRP: $161|Avg: $20

95%

#1157

Core i3-330E

MSRP: $177|Avg: $89

94%

#1159

Core i7-2640M

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Pentium B960 delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i5-560UM in both compute-intensive tasks (0.4% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core i5-560UM	Pentium B960
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($250)	✅ More affordable ($15)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Pentium B960 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 94% cheaper ($15 vs $250) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i5-560UM	Pentium B960
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+1573%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($250)	✅ More affordable ($15)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i5-560UM Benchmark Check

Pentium B960 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

No prediction data available

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

No prediction data available

Valorant

No prediction data available

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-560UM and Pentium B960

Core i5-560UM

The Core i5-560UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.33 GHz, with boost up to 2.13 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,015 points. Launch price was $250.

Pentium B960

The Pentium B960 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 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 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: 1,019 points. Launch price was $134.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-560UM packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium B960's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.13 GHz on the Core i5-560UM versus 2.2 GHz on the Pentium B960 — a 3.2% clock advantage for the Pentium B960 (base: 1.33 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i5-560UM uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium B960 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-560UM scores 1,015 against the Pentium B960's 1,019 — a 0.4% lead for the Pentium B960. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-560UM vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium B960.

Feature	Core i5-560UM	Pentium B960
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.13 GHz	2.2 GHz+3%
Base Clock	1.33 GHz	2.2 GHz+65%
L3 Cache	3 MB+50%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,015	1,019
Geekbench 6 Single	—	383
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	679

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-560UM uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium B960 uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 800 on the Core i5-560UM versus DDR3-1333 on the Pentium B960 — the Core i5-560UM supports 198.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Pentium B960 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM55,HM57,QM57,QS57 (Core i5-560UM) and HM76 (Pentium B960).

Feature	Core i5-560UM	Pentium B960
Socket	BGA1288	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	800+26567%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	8	16 GB+209715100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization: true (Core i5-560UM) / not specified (Pentium B960). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) (Core i5-560UM) and HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge) (Pentium B960) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium B960 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-560UM rivals Core 2 Duo SU9400; Pentium B960 rivals AMD A8-3500M.