Pentium B950 vs Core i5-560UM

Pentium B950

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.1 GHz2011

Core i5-560UM

2 Cores4 Thrd18 WWMax: 2.13 GHz2010

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Pentium B950

2 / 2

1,022

+0.7%

1,015

0.0%

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Pentium B950 is positioned at rank 1142 and the Core i5-560UM is on rank 1224, so the Pentium B950 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Pentium B950

#1130

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3845%

#1131

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3789%

#1132

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3478%

#1133

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

3463%

#1134

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

3431%

#1136

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

3313%

#1137

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

3177%

#1138

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

3172%

#1139

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

3087%

#1142

Pentium B950

MSRP: $134|Avg: $35

100%

#1143

Celeron 220

MSRP: $42|Avg: $42

100%

#1144

Pentium B960

MSRP: $134|Avg: $15

100%

#1146

Pentium 957

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

99%

#1147

Core 2 Duo SL9400

MSRP: $284|Avg: N/A

99%

#1149

Pentium N3540

MSRP: $161|Avg: $161

98%

#1150

Core i7-3555LE

MSRP: $300|Avg: $280

98%

#1151

Core i3-2377M

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

97%

#1152

Core 2 Duo E8435

MSRP: $150|Avg: $74

96%

#1153

Celeron M 723

MSRP: $161|Avg: $161

96%

#1154

Core M-5Y51

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

95%

#1155

Core i7-3517UE

MSRP: $330|Avg: $35

95%

#1156

Pentium N3530

MSRP: $161|Avg: $20

94%

#1157

Core i3-330E

MSRP: $177|Avg: $89

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-560UM

#1212

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

7227%

#1213

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

7121%

#1214

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

6537%

#1215

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

6507%

#1216

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

6448%

#1218

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

6227%

#1219

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

5970%

#1220

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

5961%

#1221

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

5800%

#1224

Core i5-560UM

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

100%

#1225

Core i7-660UM

MSRP: $317|Avg: N/A

99%

#1226

C-30

MSRP: $50|Avg: $15

99%

#1228

Core i7-620UM

MSRP: $278|Avg: N/A

97%

#1230

Celeron 570

MSRP: $134|Avg: $15

93%

#1231

Core i7-820QM

MSRP: $546|Avg: N/A

82%

#1233

Core Duo T2700

MSRP: $663|Avg: N/A

69%

#1235

Pentium SU4100

MSRP: $289|Avg: $15

58%

#1236

Core Solo T1400

MSRP: $200|Avg: $5

53%

#1237

Core i7-940XM

MSRP: $1096|Avg: N/A

51%

#1238

Core Solo T1350

MSRP: $200|Avg: $70

50%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i5-560UM leads in gaming performance. However, the Pentium B950 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.7% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Pentium B950	Core i5-560UM
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($35)	⚠️ Higher cost ($250)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Pentium B950 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 86% cheaper ($35 vs $250) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Pentium B950	Core i5-560UM
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+619%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($35)	⚠️ Higher cost ($250)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Pentium B950 Benchmark Check

Core i5-560UM Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Pentium B950 and Core i5-560UM

Pentium B950

The Pentium B950 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 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 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: 1,022 points. Launch price was $134.

Core i5-560UM

The Core i5-560UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.33 GHz, with boost up to 2.13 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,015 points. Launch price was $250.

⚡

Processing Power

The Pentium B950 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-560UM's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Pentium B950 versus 2.13 GHz on the Core i5-560UM — a 1.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-560UM (base: 2.1 GHz vs 1.33 GHz). The Pentium B950 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-560UM uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium B950 scores 1,022 against the Core i5-560UM's 1,015 — a 0.7% lead for the Pentium B950. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Pentium B950 vs 3 MB on the Core i5-560UM.

Feature	Pentium B950	Core i5-560UM
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.1 GHz	2.13 GHz+1%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz+58%	1.33 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	3 MB+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,022	1,015
Geekbench 6 Single	379	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	671	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium B950 uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-560UM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Pentium B950 versus 800 on the Core i5-560UM — the Core i5-560UM supports 198.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Pentium B950 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67 (Pentium B950) and HM55,HM57,QM57,QS57 (Core i5-560UM).

Feature	Pentium B950	Core i5-560UM
Socket	PGA988	BGA1288
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	800+26567%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+209715100%	8
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Pentium B950) vs true (Core i5-560UM). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge) (Pentium B950) and Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) (Core i5-560UM) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium B950 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-560UM rivals Core 2 Duo SU9400.

Feature	Pentium B950	Core i5-560UM
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)	Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	true
Target Use	Budget	—