Pentium B940 vs Ryzen 5 5600X

CPU

GPU

Pentium B940

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 2 GHz2011

Similar parts

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Ryzen 5 5600X

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2020

Ryzen family

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Pentium B940 vs Ryzen 5 5600X Performance Spectrum

Pentium B940

2 / 2

2,610

0.0%

21,845

+737.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

About PassMark

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 B940 vs Ryzen 5 5600X 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 B940 vs Ryzen 5 5600X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium B940

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $165 less on MSRP ($134 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5600X across 47 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,610 vs 21,845).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.5 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +260.3% higher average FPS across 47 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+1500% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Delivers 275.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 73.1 vs 19.5 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
123.1% HIGHER MSRP
$299 MSRPvs$134 MSRP
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5600X better than Pentium B940?

Yes. Ryzen 5 5600X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 260.3% average FPS lead across 47 shared CPU game tests in our data, 737% 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, Ryzen 5 5600X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 260.3% more average FPS across 47 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 5600X is the stronger fit. You are getting 737% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 1500% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Ryzen 5 5600X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 5600X comes in 123.1% more expensive on MSRP at $299 MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it still gives you a 260.3% average FPS lead across 47 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 275.1% better value on MSRP (73.1 vs 19.5 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen 5 5600X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2011), 1500% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 2 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Pentium B940 vs Ryzen 5 5600X Technical Specifications

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

Pentium B940

The Pentium B940 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 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,610 points. Launch price was $134.

Ryzen 5 5600X

The Ryzen 5 5600X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 21,845 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Pentium B940 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 5600X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Pentium B940 versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X — a 78.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600X (base: 2 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Pentium B940 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium B940 scores 2,610 against the Ryzen 5 5600X's 21,845 — a 157.3% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600X. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Pentium B940 vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Pentium B940	Ryzen 5 5600X
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	2 GHz	4.6 GHz+130%
Base Clock	2 GHz	3.7 GHz+85%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	32 MB+1500%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	32 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-78%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	2,610	21,845+737%

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium B940 uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium B940	Ryzen 5 5600X
Socket	PGA988	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 4.0+100%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	24

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Pentium B940) / AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600X). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600X targets Desktop.

Feature	Pentium B940	Ryzen 5 5600X
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium B940 was priced at $134, while the Ryzen 5 5600X came in at $299. On launch pricing ($134 vs $299), Pentium B940 was $165 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium B940 delivers 19.5 pts/$ vs 73.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600X — making the Ryzen 5 5600X the 115.8% better value option.

Feature	Pentium B940	Ryzen 5 5600X
MSRP	$134-55%	$299
Performance per Dollar	19.5	73.1+275%
Release Date	2011	2020

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