Pentium 957 vs Pentium E2210

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 957 vs Pentium E2210 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 957 vs Pentium E2210: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium 957

2011

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (2 MB vs 1 MB).
✅Draws 17W instead of 65W, a 48W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.6 vs 12.0 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $84 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Pentium E2210.

Pentium E2210

2009

Why buy it

✅Costs $50 less on MSRP ($84 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
✅Delivers 58.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 12.0 vs 7.6 PassMark/$ ($84 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pentium 957.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,005 vs 1,015).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (1 MB vs 2 MB).
❌282.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 17W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium 957 better than Pentium E2210?

Yes. Pentium 957 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you 1% 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 957 has the edge because it leads the single-thread side of this matchup with 1% stronger overall PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 957 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (2 MB vs 1 MB).

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

Pentium 957 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium 957 comes in 59.5% more expensive on MSRP at $134 MSRP versus $84 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.0% higher PassMark. Pentium E2210 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2009 platform. Even with 58.0% better value on paper (12.0 vs 7.6 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA775.

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

Pentium 957 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2009), 100% larger total L3 cache (2 MB vs 1 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Pentium 957 vs Pentium E2210 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium 957

The Pentium 957 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 1.2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,015 points. Launch price was $134.

Pentium E2210

The Pentium E2210 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency: 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 1 MB L2 Cache. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,005 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Pentium 957 and Pentium E2210 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. The Pentium 957 is built on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. In PassMark, the Pentium 957 scores 1,015 against the Pentium E2210's 1,005 — a 1% lead for the Pentium 957. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 957 vs 1 MB L2 Cache on the Pentium E2210.

Feature	Pentium 957	Pentium E2210
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.2 GHz	—
Base Clock	1.2 GHz	2.2 GHz+83%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)+100%	1 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	—
PassMark	1,015	1,005
Geekbench 6 Single	—	300
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	500

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium 957 uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium E2210 uses LGA775 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium 957	Pentium E2210
Socket	BGA1023	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR2
Max RAM Capacity	—	4 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	0

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Pentium 957) / false (Pentium E2210).

Feature	Pentium 957	Pentium E2210
Integrated GPU	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	false

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium 957 was priced at $134, while the Pentium E2210 came in at $84. On launch pricing ($134 vs $84), Pentium E2210 was $50 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium 957 delivers 7.6 pts/$ vs 12.0 pts/$ for the Pentium E2210 — making the Pentium E2210 the 44.9% better value option.

Feature	Pentium 957	Pentium E2210
MSRP	$134	$84-37%
Performance per Dollar	7.6	12.0+58%
Release Date	2011	2009

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