Core i5-560UM vs Pentium E5400

Intel

Core i5-560UM

2 Cores4 Thrd18 WWMax: 2.13 GHz2010
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Pentium E5400

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2009
Similar parts
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Core i5-560UM vs Pentium E5400 Performance Spectrum

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.

Core i5-560UM vs Pentium E5400 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 E5400: 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

  • +0.8% higher PassMark.
  • Draws 18W instead of 65W, a 47W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake), while Pentium E5400 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 4.1 vs 18.3 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $55 MSRP).

Pentium E5400

2009

Why buy it

  • Costs $195 less on MSRP ($55 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
  • Delivers 351.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 18.3 vs 4.1 PassMark/$ ($55 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,007 vs 1,015).
  • 261.1% higher power demand at 65W 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 E5400?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium E5400 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 0.8% 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 0.8% 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 still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-560UM comes in 354.5% more expensive on MSRP at $250 MSRP versus $55 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. Pentium E5400 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2009 platform. Even with 351.0% better value on paper (18.3 vs 4.1 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA775.
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 2009) 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 E5400 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

Intel

Pentium E5400

The Pentium E5400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 18 January 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,007 points. Launch price was $55.

Processing Power

The Core i5-560UM packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium E5400's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.13 GHz on the Core i5-560UM versus 2.7 GHz on the Pentium E5400 — a 23.6% clock advantage for the Pentium E5400 (base: 1.33 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i5-560UM uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium E5400 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-560UM scores 1,015 against the Pentium E5400's 1,007 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-560UM. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-560UM vs 0 kB on the Pentium E5400.

FeatureCore i5-560UMPentium E5400
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 2
Boost Clock
2.13 GHz
2.7 GHz+27%
Base Clock
1.33 GHz
2.7 GHz+103%
L3 Cache
3 MB
0 kB
L2 Cache
512 kB
2 MB (total)+300%
Process
32 nm-29%
45 nm
Architecture
Arrandale (2010−2011)
Wolfdale (2008−2010)
PassMark
1,015
1,007
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-560UM uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium E5400 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-560UMPentium E5400
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
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i5-560UM) / not specified (Pentium E5400). The Core i5-560UM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Pentium E5400 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-560UM rivals Core 2 Duo SU9400.

FeatureCore i5-560UMPentium E5400
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
true
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-560UM was priced at $250, while the Pentium E5400 came in at $55. On launch pricing ($250 vs $55), Pentium E5400 was $195 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-560UM delivers 4.1 pts/$ vs 18.3 pts/$ for the Pentium E5400 — making the Pentium E5400 the 127.4% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-560UMPentium E5400
MSRP
$250
$55-78%
Performance per Dollar
4.1
18.3+346%
Release Date
2010
2009

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