Pentium 997 vs Pentium E6700

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 997 vs Pentium E6700 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 997 vs Pentium E6700: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium 997

2012

Why buy it

✅Draws 17W instead of 65W, a 48W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,215 vs 1,219).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.1 vs 14.2 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).

Pentium E6700

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $48 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
✅Delivers 56.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 14.2 vs 9.1 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌282.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 17W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium E6700 better than Pentium 997?

Yes. Pentium E6700 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium E6700 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.1% 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 E6700 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium E6700 is the better buy right now. Pentium E6700 comes in $48 cheaper on MSRP at $86 MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 56.3% better value on MSRP (14.2 vs 9.1 PassMark/$), 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 997 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Pentium 997 vs Pentium E6700 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium 997

The Pentium 997 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.6 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: 1,215 points. Launch price was $134.

Pentium E6700

The Pentium E6700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,219 points. Launch price was $80.

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Processing Power

Both the Pentium 997 and Pentium E6700 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.6 GHz on the Pentium 997 versus 3.2 GHz on the Pentium E6700 — a 66.7% clock advantage for the Pentium E6700 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Pentium 997 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium E6700 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium 997 scores 1,215 against the Pentium E6700's 1,219 — a 0.3% lead for the Pentium E6700. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 997 vs 0 kB on the Pentium E6700.

Feature	Pentium 997	Pentium E6700
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.6 GHz	3.2 GHz+100%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	3.2 GHz+100%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB (total)
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Wolfdale (2008−2010)
PassMark	1,215	1,219

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium 997 uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium E6700 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium 997	Pentium E6700
Socket	BGA1023	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	—	8 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	0

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Pentium 997) / VT-x (Pentium E6700). Primary use case: Pentium E6700 targets Desktop.

Feature	Pentium 997	Pentium E6700
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x
Target Use	—	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium 997 was priced at $134, while the Pentium E6700 came in at $86. On launch pricing ($134 vs $86), Pentium E6700 was $48 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium 997 delivers 9.1 pts/$ vs 14.2 pts/$ for the Pentium E6700 — making the Pentium E6700 the 43.9% better value option.

Feature	Pentium 997	Pentium E6700
MSRP	$134	$86-36%
Performance per Dollar	9.1	14.2+56%
Release Date	2012	2010

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