Pentium B960 vs Pentium E5400

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 E5400 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 E5400: 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

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅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 E5400 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.6 vs 18.3 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $55 MSRP).

Pentium E5400

2009

Why buy it

✅Costs $79 less on MSRP ($55 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
✅Delivers 140.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 18.3 vs 7.6 PassMark/$ ($55 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,007 vs 1,019).
❌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 E5400?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium E5400 is ahead with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium B960 pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark.

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 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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 143.6% more expensive on MSRP at $134 MSRP versus $55 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.2% better PassMark. Pentium E5400 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2009 platform. Even with 140.8% better value on paper (18.3 vs 7.6 PassMark/$), 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 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Pentium B960 vs Pentium E5400 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 E5400

The Pentium E5400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 18 January 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 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: 1,007 points. Launch price was $55.

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Processing Power

Both the Pentium B960 and Pentium E5400 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Pentium B960 versus 2.7 GHz on the Pentium E5400 — a 20.4% clock advantage for the Pentium E5400 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Pentium B960 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium E5400 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium B960 scores 1,019 against the Pentium E5400's 1,007 — a 1.2% lead for the Pentium B960. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Pentium B960 vs 0 kB on the Pentium E5400.

Feature	Pentium B960	Pentium E5400
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz	2.7 GHz+23%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.7 GHz+23%
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	1,019+1%	1,007
Geekbench 6 Single	383	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	679	—

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium B960 uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium E5400 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium B960	Pentium E5400
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

The Pentium B960 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)), while the Pentium E5400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium B960 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Pentium B960 rivals AMD A8-3500M.

Feature	Pentium B960	Pentium E5400
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Target Use	Budget	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium B960 was priced at $134, while the Pentium E5400 came in at $55. On launch pricing ($134 vs $55), Pentium E5400 was $79 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium B960 delivers 7.6 pts/$ vs 18.3 pts/$ for the Pentium E5400 — making the Pentium E5400 the 82.6% better value option.

Feature	Pentium B960	Pentium E5400
MSRP	$134	$55-59%
Performance per Dollar	7.6	18.3+141%
Release Date	2011	2009

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