Pentium 2030M vs Pentium D 820

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 2030M vs Pentium D 820 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 2030M vs Pentium D 820: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium 2030M

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $107 less on MSRP ($134 MSRP vs $241 MSRP).
✅Delivers 77.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 10.4 vs 5.9 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $241 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,396 vs 1,412).
❌25500% higher power demand at 512W vs 2W.

Pentium D 820

2005

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 512W, a 510W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.9 vs 10.4 PassMark/$ ($241 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium D 820 better than Pentium 2030M?

Yes. Pentium D 820 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium D 820 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.8% 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 D 820 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium D 820 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium D 820 comes in 79.9% more expensive on MSRP at $241 MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium 2030M only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2013 platform. Even with 77.8% better value on paper (10.4 vs 5.9 PassMark/$), 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 2030M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2005). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Pentium 2030M vs Pentium D 820 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium 2030M

The Pentium 2030M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,396 points. Launch price was $134.

Pentium D 820

The Pentium D 820 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,412 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Pentium 2030M and Pentium D 820 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Pentium 2030M versus 2.8 GHz on the Pentium D 820 — a 11.3% clock advantage for the Pentium D 820 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Pentium 2030M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium D 820 uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (90 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium 2030M scores 1,396 against the Pentium D 820's 1,412 — a 1.1% lead for the Pentium D 820. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 2030M vs 0 kB on the Pentium D 820.

Feature	Pentium 2030M	Pentium D 820
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz	2.8 GHz+12%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.8 GHz+12%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB
Process	22 nm-76%	90 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	NetBurst (2000−2006)
PassMark	1,396	1,412+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	—	166

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium 2030M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium D 820 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium 2030M	Pentium D 820
Socket	PGA988	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR2-667
Max RAM Capacity	—	4 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	0

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Pentium 2030M) / No (Pentium D 820).

Feature	Pentium 2030M	Pentium D 820
Integrated GPU	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	No

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium 2030M was priced at $134, while the Pentium D 820 came in at $241. On launch pricing ($134 vs $241), Pentium 2030M was $107 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium 2030M delivers 10.4 pts/$ vs 5.9 pts/$ for the Pentium D 820 — making the Pentium 2030M the 56% better value option.

Feature	Pentium 2030M	Pentium D 820
MSRP	$134-44%	$241
Performance per Dollar	10.4+76%	5.9
Release Date	2013	2005

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