Pentium B960 vs Pentium J2850

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 J2850 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 J2850: 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

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge), while Pentium J2850 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.6 vs 10.8 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $94 MSRP).
❌1650% higher power demand at 35W vs 2W.

Pentium J2850

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $40 less on MSRP ($94 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
✅Delivers 42.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 10.8 vs 7.6 PassMark/$ ($94 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
✅Draws 2W instead of 35W, a 33W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,016 vs 1,019).
❌No integrated graphics, while Pentium B960 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium J2850 better than Pentium B960?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium J2850 is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 42 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium B960 pulls ahead with 0.3% 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 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium J2850 is the better buy right now. Pentium J2850 comes in $40 cheaper on MSRP at $94 MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 42 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Pentium B960 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.3% better PassMark. It is also 42.1% better value on MSRP (10.8 vs 7.6 PassMark/$), 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 J2850 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Pentium B960 vs Pentium J2850 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 J2850

The Pentium J2850 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Bay Trail-D (2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.41 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,016 points. Launch price was $94.

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Processing Power

The Pentium B960 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Pentium J2850 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium J2850 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Pentium B960 versus 2.4 GHz on the Pentium J2850 — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Pentium J2850 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.41 GHz). The Pentium B960 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium J2850 uses Bay Trail-D (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium B960 scores 1,019 against the Pentium J2850's 1,016 — a 0.3% lead for the Pentium B960. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Pentium B960 vs 2 MB L2 Cache on the Pentium J2850.

Feature	Pentium B960	Pentium J2850
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz	2.4 GHz+9%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.41 GHz+10%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	2 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Bay Trail-D (2013)
PassMark	1,019	1,016
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 J2850 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium B960	Pentium J2850
Socket	PGA988	FCBGA1170
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
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 J2850 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium B960 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Pentium B960 rivals AMD A8-3500M.

Feature	Pentium B960	Pentium J2850
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 J2850 came in at $94. On launch pricing ($134 vs $94), Pentium J2850 was $40 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium B960 delivers 7.6 pts/$ vs 10.8 pts/$ for the Pentium J2850 — making the Pentium J2850 the 34.8% better value option.

Feature	Pentium B960	Pentium J2850
MSRP	$134	$94-30%
Performance per Dollar	7.6	10.8+42%
Release Date	2011	2013

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