Core i5-560UM vs Pentium B960

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 i5-560UM vs Pentium B960 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 i5-560UM vs Pentium B960: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-560UM

2010

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 18W instead of 35W, a 17W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,015 vs 1,019).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 4.1 vs 7.6 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).

Pentium B960

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $116 less on MSRP ($134 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
✅Delivers 87.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 7.6 vs 4.1 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌94.4% higher power demand at 35W vs 18W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium B960 better than Core i5-560UM?

Yes. Pentium B960 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you 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, Pentium B960 has the edge because it leads the single-thread side of this matchup with 3.3% higher max boost clock.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium B960 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium B960 is the better buy right now. Pentium B960 comes in $116 cheaper on MSRP at $134 MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% higher PassMark. It is also 87.3% better value on MSRP (7.6 vs 4.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Pentium B960 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-560UM vs Pentium B960 Technical Specifications

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

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.

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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

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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 Pentium B960 supports 66.6% 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 GB — 100% 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	DDR3-1333+67%
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	16 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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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.

Feature	Core i5-560UM	Pentium B960
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)	HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	—
Target Use	—	Budget

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-560UM was priced at $250, while the Pentium B960 came in at $134. On launch pricing ($250 vs $134), Pentium B960 was $116 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-560UM delivers 4.1 pts/$ vs 7.6 pts/$ for the Pentium B960 — making the Pentium B960 the 60.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-560UM	Pentium B960
MSRP	$250	$134-46%
Performance per Dollar	4.1	7.6+85%
Release Date	2010	2011

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