Core i5-7Y54 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 i5-7Y54 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 i5-7Y54 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 i5-7Y54

2016

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 5W instead of 35W, a 31W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (10 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 615, while Pentium B940 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,586 vs 2,610).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.2 vs 19.5 PassMark/$ ($281 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).

Pentium B940

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $147 less on MSRP ($134 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
✅Delivers 111.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 19.5 vs 9.2 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 4 MB).
❌677.8% higher power demand at 35W vs 4.5W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7Y54 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7Y54 better than Pentium B940?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-7Y54 is ahead with a 0.9% average FPS lead across 47 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium B940 pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark. Core i5-7Y54 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium B940 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Core i5-7Y54 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-7Y54 comes in 109.7% more expensive on MSRP at $281 MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.9% average FPS lead across 47 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium B940 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 111.6% better value on paper (19.5 vs 9.2 PassMark/$), 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?

Core i5-7Y54 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2011) and 100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-7Y54 vs Pentium B940 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-7Y54

The Core i5-7Y54 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,586 points. Launch price was $281.

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 i5-7Y54 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium B940's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-7Y54 versus 2 GHz on the Pentium B940 — a 46.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-7Y54 (base: 1.2 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-7Y54 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium B940 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7Y54 scores 2,586 against the Pentium B940's 2,610 — a 0.9% lead for the Pentium B940. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i5-7Y54 vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium B940.

Feature	Core i5-7Y54	Pentium B940
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz+60%	2 GHz
Base Clock	1.2 GHz	2 GHz+67%
L3 Cache	4 MB+100%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	2,586	2,610
Geekbench 6 Single	900	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,700	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-7Y54 uses the FCBGA1515 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium B940 uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-7Y54	Pentium B940
Socket	FCBGA1515	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR3-1866	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	10	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7Y54) / not specified (Pentium B940). The Core i5-7Y54 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 615), while the Pentium B940 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7Y54 targets Tablet/2-in-1.

Feature	Core i5-7Y54	Pentium B940
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 615	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Tablet/2-in-1	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-7Y54 was priced at $281, while the Pentium B940 came in at $134. On launch pricing ($281 vs $134), Pentium B940 was $147 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-7Y54 delivers 9.2 pts/$ vs 19.5 pts/$ for the Pentium B940 — making the Pentium B940 the 71.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-7Y54	Pentium B940
MSRP	$281	$134-52%
Performance per Dollar	9.2	19.5+112%
Release Date	2016	2011

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