Pentium B960 vs Pentium E2220

CPU

GPU

Pentium B960

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2011

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Pentium E2220

65 WW2008

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Pentium B960 vs Pentium E2220 Performance Spectrum

Pentium B960

2 / 2

1,019

0.0%

1,028

+0.9%

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 B960 vs Pentium E2220 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 B960 vs Pentium E2220: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium B960

2011

Why buy it

✅+15.1% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (2 MB vs 1 MB).
✅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 HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge), while Pentium E2220 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium E2220 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.6 vs 32.1 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $32 MSRP).

Pentium E2220

2008

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $102 less on MSRP ($32 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
✅Delivers 322.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 32.1 vs 7.6 PassMark/$ ($32 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (590 vs 679).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (1 MB vs 2 MB).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Pentium B960 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium B960 better than Pentium E2220?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium E2220 is ahead with a 5.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium B960 pulls ahead with 15.1% better Geekbench multi-core. Pentium B960 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (2 MB vs 1 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium B960 is the stronger fit. You are getting 15.1% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (2 MB vs 1 MB).

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

Pentium B960 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium B960 comes in 318.8% more expensive on MSRP at $134 MSRP versus $32 MSRP, and it still gives you 15.1% better Geekbench multi-core. Pentium E2220 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2008 platform. Even with 322.4% better value on paper (32.1 vs 7.6 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA775.

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

Pentium B960 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2008) and 100% larger total L3 cache (2 MB vs 1 MB). That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Pentium B960 vs Pentium E2220 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium B960

The Pentium B960 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 October 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 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: 1,019 points. Launch price was $134.

Pentium E2220

The Pentium E2220 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. Base frequency: 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 1 MB L2 Cache. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,028 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Pentium B960 is built on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. In PassMark, the Pentium B960 scores 1,019 against the Pentium E2220's 1,028 — a 0.9% lead for the Pentium E2220. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 383 vs 330, a 14.9% lead for the Pentium B960 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 679 vs 590 (14% advantage for the Pentium B960). L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Pentium B960 vs 1 MB L2 Cache on the Pentium E2220.

Feature	Pentium B960	Pentium E2220
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	—
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz	—
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.4 GHz+9%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)+100%	1 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	32 nm-51%	65 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	—
PassMark	1,019	1,028
Geekbench 6 Single	383+16%	330
Geekbench 6 Multi	679+15%	590

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium B960 uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium E2220 uses LGA775 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Pentium B960 versus DDR2-800 on the Pentium E2220 — the Pentium B960 supports 66.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Pentium B960 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Pentium B960) vs 0 (Pentium E2220) — the Pentium B960 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM76 (Pentium B960) and G31,G41 (Pentium E2220).

Feature	Pentium B960	Pentium E2220
Socket	PGA988	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333+67%	DDR2-800
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+300%	4 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Pentium E2220 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization: not specified (Pentium B960) / None (Pentium E2220). The Pentium B960 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)), while the Pentium E2220 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium B960 targets Budget, Pentium E2220 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Pentium B960 rivals AMD A8-3500M.

Feature	Pentium B960	Pentium E2220
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)	None
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	—	None
Target Use	Budget	Legacy Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium B960 was priced at $134, while the Pentium E2220 came in at $32. On launch pricing ($134 vs $32), Pentium E2220 was $102 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium B960 delivers 7.6 pts/$ vs 32.1 pts/$ for the Pentium E2220 — making the Pentium E2220 the 123.4% better value option.

Feature	Pentium B960	Pentium E2220
MSRP	$134	$32-76%
Performance per Dollar	7.6	32.1+322%
Release Date	2011	2008

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