Pentium 4 2.60 vs Pentium 4 2.66

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 2.60 vs Pentium 4 2.66 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 2.60 vs Pentium 4 2.66: 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 2.60

2002

Why buy it

✅Draws 92W instead of 110W, a 18W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (365 vs 378).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 0.9 vs 1.3 PassMark/$ ($401 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).

Pentium 4 2.66

2002

Why buy it

✅Costs $101 less on MSRP ($300 MSRP vs $401 MSRP).
✅Delivers 38.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 1.3 vs 0.9 PassMark/$ ($300 MSRP vs $401 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌19.6% higher power demand at 110W vs 92W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium 4 2.66 better than Pentium 4 2.60?

Yes. Pentium 4 2.66 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you 3.6% 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 2.66 has the edge because it leads the single-thread side of this matchup with 2.3% higher max boost clock.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 4 2.66 is the stronger fit. You are getting 3.6% better PassMark, backed by 1 cores and 1 threads.

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

Pentium 4 2.66 is the better buy right now. Pentium 4 2.66 comes in $101 cheaper on MSRP at $300 MSRP versus $401 MSRP, and it still gives you 3.6% higher PassMark. It is also 38.4% better value on MSRP (1.3 vs 0.9 PassMark/$), 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 2.66 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 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 2.60 vs Pentium 4 2.66 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium 4 2.60

The Pentium 4 2.60 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: 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 130 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 92 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 365 points. Launch price was $69.

Pentium 4 2.66

The Pentium 4 2.66 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: 2.66 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: 378 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Pentium 4 2.60 and Pentium 4 2.66 share an identical 1-core/1-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Pentium 4 2.60 versus 2.66 GHz on the Pentium 4 2.66 — a 2.3% clock advantage for the Pentium 4 2.66. Both are built on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture using a 130 nm process. In PassMark, the Pentium 4 2.60 scores 365 against the Pentium 4 2.66's 378 — a 3.5% lead for the Pentium 4 2.66. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Pentium 4 2.60	Pentium 4 2.66
Cores / Threads	1 / 1	1 / 1
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz	2.66 GHz+2%
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB
Process	130 nm	130 nm
Architecture	NetBurst (2000−2006)	NetBurst (2000−2006)
PassMark	365	378+4%

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the PGA478 socket with PCIe 1.1.

Feature	Pentium 4 2.60	Pentium 4 2.66
Socket	PGA478	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 1.1

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium 4 2.60 was priced at $401, while the Pentium 4 2.66 came in at $300. On launch pricing ($401 vs $300), Pentium 4 2.66 was $101 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium 4 2.60 delivers 0.9 pts/$ vs 1.3 pts/$ for the Pentium 4 2.66 — making the Pentium 4 2.66 the 32.2% better value option.

Feature	Pentium 4 2.60	Pentium 4 2.66
MSRP	$401	$300-25%
Performance per Dollar	0.9	1.3+44%
Release Date	2002	2002

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