Pentium 987 vs Pentium G860

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 987 vs Pentium G860 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 987 vs Pentium G860: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium 987

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 17W instead of 256W, a 239W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.1 vs 17.3 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Pentium G860 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Pentium G860

2011

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Costs $48 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
✅Delivers 55.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 17.3 vs 11.1 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics, while Pentium 987 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,485 vs 1,487).
❌1405.9% higher power demand at 256W vs 17W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium 987 better than Pentium G860?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium G860 is ahead with a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 987 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Pentium G860 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 987 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium 987 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium 987 comes in 55.8% more expensive on MSRP at $134 MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. Pentium G860 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 55.6% better value on paper (17.3 vs 11.1 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

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

Pentium 987 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011) 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 987 vs Pentium G860 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium 987

The Pentium 987 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.5 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: 1,487 points. Launch price was $134.

Pentium G860

The Pentium G860 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,485 points. Launch price was $75.

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Processing Power

Both the Pentium 987 and Pentium G860 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.5 GHz on the Pentium 987 versus 3 GHz on the Pentium G860 — a 66.7% clock advantage for the Pentium G860 (base: 1.5 GHz vs 3 GHz). Both are built on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture using a 32 nm process. In PassMark, the Pentium 987 scores 1,487 against the Pentium G860's 1,485 — a 0.1% lead for the Pentium 987. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 987 vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G860.

Feature	Pentium 987	Pentium G860
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.5 GHz	3 GHz+100%
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	3 GHz+100%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,487	1,485

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium 987 uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium G860 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium 987	Pentium G860
Socket	BGA1023	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Pentium 987) / VT-x (Pentium G860). The Pentium G860 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics), while the Pentium 987 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium G860 targets Desktop.

Feature	Pentium 987	Pentium G860
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x
Target Use	—	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium 987 was priced at $134, while the Pentium G860 came in at $86. On launch pricing ($134 vs $86), Pentium G860 was $48 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium 987 delivers 11.1 pts/$ vs 17.3 pts/$ for the Pentium G860 — making the Pentium G860 the 43.5% better value option.

Feature	Pentium 987	Pentium G860
MSRP	$134	$86-36%
Performance per Dollar	11.1	17.3+56%
Release Date	2013	2011

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