Pentium 1403 vs Phenom X4 9600B

Pentium 1403 vs Phenom X4 9600B Performance Spectrum

Pentium 1403

2 / 2

1,851

+0.5%

1,842

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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.

Pentium 1403 vs Phenom X4 9600B 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.

Pentium 1403 vs Phenom X4 9600B: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium 1403

2012

Why buy it

✅+150% larger total L3 cache (5 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 80W instead of 95W, a 15W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Phenom X4 9600B

2008

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,842 vs 1,851).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 5 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $278 MSRP, while Pentium 1403 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌18.8% higher power demand at 95W vs 80W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium 1403 better than Phenom X4 9600B?

Yes. Pentium 1403 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium 1403 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.5% 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, Pentium 1403 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (5 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Pentium 1403 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium 1403 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $278 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Phenom X4 9600B only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2008 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (6.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM2+.

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

Pentium 1403 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2008), 150% larger total L3 cache (5 MB vs 2 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Pentium 1403 vs Phenom X4 9600B Technical Specifications

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

Pentium 1403

The Pentium 1403 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency: 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 5 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 1,851 points. Launch price was $69.

Phenom X4 9600B

The Phenom X4 9600B is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Agena (2007−2008) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: AM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,842 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Pentium 1403 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Phenom X4 9600B offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom X4 9600B has 2 more cores. The Phenom X4 9600B is built on the Agena (2007−2008) architecture. In PassMark, the Pentium 1403 scores 1,851 against the Phenom X4 9600B's 1,842 — a 0.5% lead for the Pentium 1403. L3 cache: 5 MB on the Pentium 1403 vs 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X4 9600B.

Feature	Pentium 1403	Phenom X4 9600B
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	—	2.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	—
L3 Cache	5 MB+150%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	—	512 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm-51%	65 nm
Architecture	—	Agena (2007−2008)
PassMark	1,851	1,842