Pentium B970 vs Pentium B980

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 B970 vs Pentium B980 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 B970 vs Pentium B980: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium B970

2012

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium B980 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,093 vs 1,101).

Pentium B980

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium B980 better than Pentium B970?

Yes. Pentium B980 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium B980 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.6% 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 B980 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium B980 is the better buy right now. Pentium B980 comes in in basically the same MSRP band at $125 MSRP versus $125 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 0.7% better value on MSRP (8.8 vs 8.7 PassMark/$), 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 B980 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 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 B970 vs Pentium B980 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium B970

The Pentium B970 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 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: 1,093 points. Launch price was $125.

Pentium B980

The Pentium B980 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 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: 1,101 points. Launch price was $125.

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Processing Power

Both the Pentium B970 and Pentium B980 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Pentium B970 versus 2.4 GHz on the Pentium B980 — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Pentium B980 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). Both are built on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture using a 32 nm process. In PassMark, the Pentium B970 scores 1,093 against the Pentium B980's 1,101 — a 0.7% lead for the Pentium B980. Both processors carry 2 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Pentium B970	Pentium B980
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz	2.4 GHz+4%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	2.4 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,093	1,101

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the PGA988 socket with PCIe 2.0.

Feature	Pentium B970	Pentium B980
Socket	PGA988	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium B970 was priced at $125, while the Pentium B980 came in at $125. On launch pricing ($125 vs $125), Pentium B980 was $0 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium B970 delivers 8.7 pts/$ vs 8.8 pts/$ for the Pentium B980 — making the Pentium B980 the 0.7% better value option.

Feature	Pentium B970	Pentium B980
MSRP	$125	$125
Performance per Dollar	8.7	8.8+1%
Release Date	2012	2012

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