Pentium B980 vs Pentium Extreme Edition 955

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 B980 vs Pentium Extreme Edition 955 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 B980 vs Pentium Extreme Edition 955: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium B980

2012

Why buy it

✅Costs $874 less on MSRP ($125 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 703.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 8.8 vs 1.1 PassMark/$ ($125 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 130W, a 95W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Pentium Extreme Edition 955

2005

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,095 vs 1,101).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 1.1 vs 8.8 PassMark/$ ($999 MSRP vs $125 MSRP).
❌271.4% higher power demand at 130W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium B980 better than Pentium Extreme Edition 955?

Yes. Pentium B980 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% 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 1.7% 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 0.5% 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 $874 cheaper on MSRP at $125 MSRP versus $999 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 703.6% better value on MSRP (8.8 vs 1.1 PassMark/$), 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 a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2005) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Pentium B980 vs Pentium Extreme Edition 955 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Pentium Extreme Edition 955

The Pentium Extreme Edition 955 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 December 2005 (19 years ago). It is based on the Presler (2005−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.466 GHz, with boost up to 0.47 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 1,095 points. Launch price was $999.

⚡

Processing Power

The Pentium B980 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Pentium Extreme Edition 955's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Pentium B980 versus 0.47 GHz on the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 — a 134.5% clock advantage for the Pentium B980 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.466 GHz). The Pentium B980 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 uses Presler (2005−2007) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium B980 scores 1,101 against the Pentium Extreme Edition 955's 1,095 — a 0.5% lead for the Pentium B980.

Feature	Pentium B980	Pentium Extreme Edition 955
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz+411%	0.47 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	3.466 GHz+44%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB (per core)
Process	32 nm-51%	65 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Presler (2005−2007)
PassMark	1,101	1,095

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium B980 uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium B980	Pentium Extreme Edition 955
Socket	PGA988	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium B980 was priced at $125, while the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 came in at $999. On launch pricing ($125 vs $999), Pentium B980 was $874 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium B980 delivers 8.8 pts/$ vs 1.1 pts/$ for the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 — making the Pentium B980 the 155.7% better value option.

Feature	Pentium B980	Pentium Extreme Edition 955
MSRP	$125-87%	$999
Performance per Dollar	8.8+700%	1.1
Release Date	2012	2005

Search Pentium B980 on Amazon

Search Pentium Extreme Edition 955 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.