Pentium 4 2.26 vs Pentium 4 2.40

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 4 2.26 vs Pentium 4 2.40 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 4 2.26 vs Pentium 4 2.40: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium 4 2.26

2002

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium 4 2.40 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (295 vs 325).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 1.2 vs 1.7 PassMark/$ ($241 MSRP vs $193 MSRP).

Pentium 4 2.40

2004

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $48 less on MSRP ($193 MSRP vs $241 MSRP).
✅Delivers 37.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 1.7 vs 1.2 PassMark/$ ($193 MSRP vs $241 MSRP).

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium 4 2.40 better than Pentium 4 2.26?

Yes. Pentium 4 2.40 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 14.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 10.2% 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 4 2.40 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 14.3% 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 4 2.40 is the stronger fit. You are getting 10.2% better PassMark, backed by 1 cores and 1 threads.

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

Pentium 4 2.40 is the better buy right now. Pentium 4 2.40 comes in $48 cheaper on MSRP at $193 MSRP versus $241 MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 37.6% better value on MSRP (1.7 vs 1.2 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium 4 2.40 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2004 vs 2002) and more multi-core headroom with 1 cores / 1 threads instead of 1/1. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Pentium 4 2.26 vs Pentium 4 2.40 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium 4 2.26

The Pentium 4 2.26 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 2.26 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 130 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 110 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 295 points. Launch price was $69.

Pentium 4 2.40

The Pentium 4 2.40 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 110 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 325 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Pentium 4 2.26 and Pentium 4 2.40 share an identical 1-core/1-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.26 GHz on the Pentium 4 2.26 versus 2.4 GHz on the Pentium 4 2.40 — a 6% clock advantage for the Pentium 4 2.40. Both are built on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture using a 130 nm process. In PassMark, the Pentium 4 2.26 scores 295 against the Pentium 4 2.40's 325 — a 9.7% lead for the Pentium 4 2.40. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Pentium 4 2.26	Pentium 4 2.40
Cores / Threads	1 / 1	1 / 1
Boost Clock	2.26 GHz	2.4 GHz+6%
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	512 kB	1 MB+100%
Process	130 nm	90 nm-31%
Architecture	NetBurst (2000−2006)	NetBurst (2000−2006)
PassMark	295	325+10%

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the PGA478 socket with PCIe 1.1.

Feature	Pentium 4 2.26	Pentium 4 2.40
Socket	PGA478	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	—	400
Max RAM Capacity	—	4
RAM Channels	—	1
ECC Support	—	No

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Pentium 4 2.26) / false (Pentium 4 2.40).

Feature	Pentium 4 2.26	Pentium 4 2.40
Integrated GPU	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	false

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium 4 2.26 was priced at $241, while the Pentium 4 2.40 came in at $193. On launch pricing ($241 vs $193), Pentium 4 2.40 was $48 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium 4 2.26 delivers 1.2 pts/$ vs 1.7 pts/$ for the Pentium 4 2.40 — making the Pentium 4 2.40 the 31.6% better value option.

Feature	Pentium 4 2.26	Pentium 4 2.40
MSRP	$241	$193-20%
Performance per Dollar	1.2	1.7+42%
Release Date	2002	2004

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