Pentium B940 vs Ryzen 7 5700X

Intel

Pentium B940

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 2 GHz2011
Similar parts
·······
VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 5700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2022
Ryzen family
·······

Pentium B940 vs Ryzen 7 5700X Performance Spectrum

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 7 5700X 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 7 5700X: 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 7 5700X across 47 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (2,610 vs 26,609).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 32 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.5 vs 89.0 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).

Ryzen 7 5700X

2022

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +322.8% higher average FPS across 47 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +1500% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 2 MB).
  • Delivers 356.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 89.0 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 7 5700X better than Pentium B940?
Yes. Ryzen 7 5700X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 322.8% average FPS lead across 47 shared CPU game tests in our data, 919.5% 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 7 5700X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 322.8% 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 7 5700X is the stronger fit. You are getting 919.5% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 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 7 5700X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 5700X comes in 123.1% more expensive on MSRP at $299 MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it still gives you a 322.8% average FPS lead across 47 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 356.9% better value on MSRP (89.0 vs 19.5 PassMark/$), 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 7 5700X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2011), 1500% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 2 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 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 7 5700X Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

AMD

Ryzen 7 5700X

The Ryzen 7 5700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 26,609 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

The Pentium B940 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Ryzen 7 5700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 5700X has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Pentium B940 versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 7 5700X — a 78.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 5700X (base: 2 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Pentium B940 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Ryzen 7 5700X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium B940 scores 2,610 against the Ryzen 7 5700X's 26,609 — a 164.3% lead for the Ryzen 7 5700X. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Pentium B940 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 5700X.

FeaturePentium B940Ryzen 7 5700X
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
8 / 16+300%
Boost Clock
2 GHz
4.6 GHz+130%
Base Clock
2 GHz
3.4 GHz+70%
L3 Cache
2 MB (total)
32 MB (total)+1500%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512K (per core)+100%
Process
32 nm
7 nm-78%
Architecture
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark
2,610
26,609+920%
Cinebench R23 Multi
14,000
Geekbench 6 Single
2,116
Geekbench 6 Multi
9,715
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium B940 uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Ryzen 7 5700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeaturePentium B940Ryzen 7 5700X
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
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Pentium B940) / AMD-V (Ryzen 7 5700X). Primary use case: Ryzen 7 5700X targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Ryzen 7 5700X rivals Core i7-11700K.

FeaturePentium B940Ryzen 7 5700X
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
Target Use
Gaming
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium B940 was priced at $134, while the Ryzen 7 5700X 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 89.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 5700X — making the Ryzen 7 5700X the 128.2% better value option.

FeaturePentium B940Ryzen 7 5700X
MSRP
$134-55%
$299
Performance per Dollar
19.5
89.0+356%
Release Date
2011
2022

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.