Core i5-560UM vs Pentium D 960

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 D 960 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 D 960: 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

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $273 less on MSRP ($250 MSRP vs $523 MSRP).
✅Delivers 111.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 4.1 vs 1.9 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $523 MSRP).
✅Draws 18W instead of 130W, a 112W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Pentium D 960

2006

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,005 vs 1,015).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 1.9 vs 4.1 PassMark/$ ($523 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
❌622.2% higher power demand at 130W vs 18W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-560UM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-560UM better than Pentium D 960?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium D 960 is ahead with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-560UM pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-560UM is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-560UM is the better buy right now. Core i5-560UM comes in $273 cheaper on MSRP at $250 MSRP versus $523 MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Pentium D 960 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 111.3% better value on MSRP (4.1 vs 1.9 PassMark/$), 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 i5-560UM makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2006) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-560UM vs Pentium D 960 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 D 960

The Pentium D 960 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,005 points. Launch price was $523.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-560UM packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium D 960's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.13 GHz on the Core i5-560UM versus 3.6 GHz on the Pentium D 960 — a 51.3% clock advantage for the Pentium D 960 (base: 1.33 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-560UM uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium D 960 uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-560UM scores 1,015 against the Pentium D 960's 1,005 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-560UM. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-560UM vs 0 kB on the Pentium D 960.

Feature	Core i5-560UM	Pentium D 960
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.13 GHz	3.6 GHz+69%
Base Clock	1.33 GHz	3.6 GHz+171%
L3 Cache	3 MB	0 kB
L2 Cache	512 kB	2 MB (total)+300%
Process	32 nm-51%	65 nm
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	NetBurst (2000−2006)
PassMark	1,015	1,005

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-560UM uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium D 960 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-560UM	Pentium D 960
Socket	BGA1288	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	800	—
Max RAM Capacity	8	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i5-560UM) / not specified (Pentium D 960). The Core i5-560UM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Pentium D 960 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-560UM rivals Core 2 Duo SU9400.

Feature	Core i5-560UM	Pentium D 960
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-560UM was priced at $250, while the Pentium D 960 came in at $523. On launch pricing ($250 vs $523), Core i5-560UM was $273 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-560UM delivers 4.1 pts/$ vs 1.9 pts/$ for the Pentium D 960 — making the Core i5-560UM the 71.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-560UM	Pentium D 960
MSRP	$250-52%	$523
Performance per Dollar	4.1+116%	1.9
Release Date	2010	2006

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