Core i5-680 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 i5-680 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 i5-680 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 i5-680

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics, while Pentium B940 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.9 vs 19.5 PassMark/$ ($294 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
❌108.6% higher power demand at 73W vs 35W.

Pentium B940

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $160 less on MSRP ($134 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
✅Delivers 118.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 19.5 vs 8.9 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 73W, a 38W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-680 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,610 vs 2,620).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 4 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-680 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-680 better than Pentium B940?

Yes. Core i5-680 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.4% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-680 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.7% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-680 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Core i5-680 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-680 comes in 119.4% more expensive on MSRP at $294 MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium B940 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 118.6% better value on paper (19.5 vs 8.9 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA988.

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

Pentium B940 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-680 vs Pentium B940 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-680

The Core i5-680 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 April 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.86 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,620 points. Launch price was $272.

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 i5-680 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium B940's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.86 GHz on the Core i5-680 versus 2 GHz on the Pentium B940 — a 63.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-680 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-680 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium B940 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-680 scores 2,620 against the Pentium B940's 2,610 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-680. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i5-680 vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium B940.

Feature	Core i5-680	Pentium B940
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.86 GHz+93%	2 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+80%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)+100%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Clarkdale (2010−2011)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	2,620	2,610

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-680 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium B940 uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-680	Pentium B940
Socket	LGA1156	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-680) / not specified (Pentium B940). The Core i5-680 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics), while the Pentium B940 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-680 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-680	Pentium B940
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-680 was priced at $294, while the Pentium B940 came in at $134. On launch pricing ($294 vs $134), Pentium B940 was $160 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-680 delivers 8.9 pts/$ vs 19.5 pts/$ for the Pentium B940 — making the Pentium B940 the 74.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-680	Pentium B940
MSRP	$294	$134-54%
Performance per Dollar	8.9	19.5+119%
Release Date	2010	2011

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