Core i7-620UM vs Pentium Extreme Edition 955

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 i7-620UM vs Pentium Extreme Edition 955 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 i7-620UM vs Pentium Extreme Edition 955: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-620UM

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $721 less on MSRP ($278 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 258.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 3.9 vs 1.1 PassMark/$ ($278 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Draws 18W instead of 130W, a 112W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake), while Pentium Extreme Edition 955 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,091 vs 1,095).

Pentium Extreme Edition 955

2005

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 1.1 vs 3.9 PassMark/$ ($999 MSRP vs $278 MSRP).
❌622.2% higher power demand at 130W vs 18W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-620UM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-620UM better than Pentium Extreme Edition 955?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-620UM is ahead with a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Extreme Edition 955 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Extreme Edition 955 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i7-620UM is the better buy right now. Core i7-620UM comes in $721 cheaper on MSRP at $278 MSRP versus $999 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Pentium Extreme Edition 955 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.4% better PassMark. It is also 258.0% better value on MSRP (3.9 vs 1.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i7-620UM makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2005). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-620UM vs Pentium Extreme Edition 955 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-620UM

The Core i7-620UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.06 GHz, with boost up to 2.13 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800. Passmark benchmark score: 1,091 points. Launch price was $278.

Pentium Extreme Edition 955

The Pentium Extreme Edition 955 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 December 2005 (19 years ago). It is based on the Presler (2005−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.466 GHz, with boost up to 0.47 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 1,095 points. Launch price was $999.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-620UM and Pentium Extreme Edition 955 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.13 GHz on the Core i7-620UM versus 0.47 GHz on the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 — a 127.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-620UM (base: 1.06 GHz vs 3.466 GHz). The Core i7-620UM uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 uses Presler (2005−2007) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-620UM scores 1,091 against the Pentium Extreme Edition 955's 1,095 — a 0.4% lead for the Pentium Extreme Edition 955.

Feature	Core i7-620UM	Pentium Extreme Edition 955
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.13 GHz+353%	0.47 GHz
Base Clock	1.06 GHz	3.466 GHz+227%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+700%
Process	32 nm-51%	65 nm
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Presler (2005−2007)
PassMark	1,091	1,095
Geekbench 6 Single	350	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	700	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-620UM uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-620UM	Pentium Extreme Edition 955
Socket	BGA1288	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core i7-620UM) / not specified (Pentium Extreme Edition 955). The Core i7-620UM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-620UM targets Ultra-Portable Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-620UM rivals Core 2 Duo SU9600.

Feature	Core i7-620UM	Pentium Extreme Edition 955
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Ultra-Portable Laptop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-620UM was priced at $278, while the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 came in at $999. On launch pricing ($278 vs $999), Core i7-620UM was $721 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-620UM delivers 3.9 pts/$ vs 1.1 pts/$ for the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 — making the Core i7-620UM the 112.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-620UM	Pentium Extreme Edition 955
MSRP	$278-72%	$999
Performance per Dollar	3.9+255%	1.1
Release Date	2010	2005

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