Pentium 977 vs Xeon W3505

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 977 vs Xeon W3505 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 977 vs Xeon W3505: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium 977

2012

Why buy it

✅Draws 17W instead of 130W, a 113W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,148 vs 1,163).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $134 MSRP, while Xeon W3505 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon W3505

2009

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).

Trade-offs

❌664.7% higher power demand at 130W vs 17W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium 977 better than Xeon W3505?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W3505 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Pentium 977 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon W3505 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Pentium 977 is the better buy right now. Pentium 977 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $134 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon W3505 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.3% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (8.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 977 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Pentium 977 vs Xeon W3505 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium 977

The Pentium 977 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 1.4 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: 1,148 points. Launch price was $134.

Xeon W3505

The Xeon W3505 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 0.53 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,163 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the Pentium 977 and Xeon W3505 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.4 GHz on the Pentium 977 versus 0.53 GHz on the Xeon W3505 — a 90.2% clock advantage for the Pentium 977 (base: 1.4 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The Pentium 977 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon W3505 uses Bloomfield (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium 977 scores 1,148 against the Xeon W3505's 1,163 — a 1.3% lead for the Xeon W3505. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 977 vs 4 MB (total) on the Xeon W3505.

Feature	Pentium 977	Xeon W3505
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.4 GHz+164%	0.53 GHz
Base Clock	1.4 GHz	2.53 GHz+81%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	4 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Bloomfield (2008−2010)
PassMark	1,148	1,163+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium 977 uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon W3505 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.