Pentium B950 vs Pentium E6300

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 B950 vs Pentium E6300 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 B950 vs Pentium E6300: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium B950

2011

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge), while Pentium E6300 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,022 vs 1,032).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.6 vs 12.3 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $84 MSRP).

Pentium E6300

2009

Why buy it

✅Costs $50 less on MSRP ($84 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
✅Delivers 61.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 12.3 vs 7.6 PassMark/$ ($84 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Pentium B950 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium E6300 better than Pentium B950?

Yes. Pentium E6300 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium E6300 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.0% 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 E6300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium E6300 is the better buy right now. Pentium E6300 comes in $50 cheaper on MSRP at $84 MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 61.1% better value on MSRP (12.3 vs 7.6 PassMark/$), 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 B950 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Pentium B950 vs Pentium E6300 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Pentium E6300

The Pentium E6300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 May 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 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: 1,032 points. Launch price was $40.

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Processing Power

Both the Pentium B950 and Pentium E6300 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Pentium B950 versus 2.8 GHz on the Pentium E6300 — a 28.6% clock advantage for the Pentium E6300 (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Pentium B950 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium E6300 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium B950 scores 1,022 against the Pentium E6300's 1,032 — a 1% lead for the Pentium E6300. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Pentium B950 vs 0 kB on the Pentium E6300.

Feature	Pentium B950	Pentium E6300
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.1 GHz	2.8 GHz+33%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.8 GHz+33%
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	1,022	1,032
Geekbench 6 Single	379	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	671	—

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium B950 uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium E6300 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium B950	Pentium E6300
Socket	PGA988	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Pentium B950) / not specified (Pentium E6300). The Pentium B950 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)), while the Pentium E6300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium B950 targets Budget.

Feature	Pentium B950	Pentium E6300
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Budget	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium B950 was priced at $134, while the Pentium E6300 came in at $84. On launch pricing ($134 vs $84), Pentium E6300 was $50 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium B950 delivers 7.6 pts/$ vs 12.3 pts/$ for the Pentium E6300 — making the Pentium E6300 the 46.8% better value option.

Feature	Pentium B950	Pentium E6300
MSRP	$134	$84-37%
Performance per Dollar	7.6	12.3+62%
Release Date	2011	2009

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