Pentium B970 vs Pentium E5700

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 E5700 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 E5700: 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

✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,093 vs 1,096).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.7 vs 14.6 PassMark/$ ($125 MSRP vs $75 MSRP).

Pentium E5700

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $50 less on MSRP ($75 MSRP vs $125 MSRP).
✅Delivers 67.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 14.6 vs 8.7 PassMark/$ ($75 MSRP vs $125 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium E5700 better than Pentium B970?

Yes. Pentium E5700 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium E5700 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.9% 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 E5700 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 E5700 is the better buy right now. Pentium E5700 comes in $50 cheaper on MSRP at $75 MSRP versus $125 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 67.1% better value on MSRP (14.6 vs 8.7 PassMark/$), 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 B970 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Pentium B970 vs Pentium E5700 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 E5700

The Pentium E5700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 August 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 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: 1,096 points. Launch price was $110.

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Processing Power

Both the Pentium B970 and Pentium E5700 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Pentium B970 versus 3 GHz on the Pentium E5700 — a 26.4% clock advantage for the Pentium E5700 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Pentium B970 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium E5700 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium B970 scores 1,093 against the Pentium E5700's 1,096 — a 0.3% lead for the Pentium E5700. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Pentium B970 vs 0 kB on the Pentium E5700.

Feature	Pentium B970	Pentium E5700
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz	3 GHz+30%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	3 GHz+30%
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	1,093	1,096

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium B970 uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium E5700 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium B970	Pentium E5700
Socket	PGA988	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium B970 was priced at $125, while the Pentium E5700 came in at $75. On launch pricing ($125 vs $75), Pentium E5700 was $50 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium B970 delivers 8.7 pts/$ vs 14.6 pts/$ for the Pentium E5700 — making the Pentium E5700 the 50.3% better value option.

Feature	Pentium B970	Pentium E5700
MSRP	$125	$75-40%
Performance per Dollar	8.7	14.6+68%
Release Date	2012	2010

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