Pentium D 820 vs Pentium E5300

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 D 820 vs Pentium E5300 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 D 820 vs Pentium E5300: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium D 820

2005

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 65W, a 63W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.9 vs 22.5 PassMark/$ ($241 MSRP vs $62 MSRP).

Pentium E5300

2008

Why buy it

✅Costs $179 less on MSRP ($62 MSRP vs $241 MSRP).
✅Delivers 284.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 22.5 vs 5.9 PassMark/$ ($62 MSRP vs $241 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,395 vs 1,412).
❌3150% higher power demand at 65W vs 2W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium D 820 better than Pentium E5300?

Yes. Pentium D 820 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.2% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium D 820 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.1% 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 D 820 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 D 820 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium D 820 comes in 288.7% more expensive on MSRP at $241 MSRP versus $62 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium E5300 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2008 platform. Even with 284.0% better value on paper (22.5 vs 5.9 PassMark/$), 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 E5300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2008 vs 2005). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Pentium D 820 vs Pentium E5300 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium D 820

The Pentium D 820 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,412 points. Launch price was $69.

Pentium E5300

The Pentium E5300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Novembro 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 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: 1,395 points. Launch price was $64.

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Processing Power

Both the Pentium D 820 and Pentium E5300 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Pentium D 820 versus 2.6 GHz on the Pentium E5300 — a 7.4% clock advantage for the Pentium D 820 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Pentium D 820 uses the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture (90 nm), while the Pentium E5300 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium D 820 scores 1,412 against the Pentium E5300's 1,395 — a 1.2% lead for the Pentium D 820. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Pentium D 820	Pentium E5300
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+8%	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+8%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB (total)
Process	90 nm	45 nm-50%
Architecture	NetBurst (2000−2006)	Wolfdale (2008−2010)
PassMark	1,412+1%	1,395
Geekbench 6 Single	166	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA775 socket with PCIe 1.1.

Feature	Pentium D 820	Pentium E5300
Socket	LGA775	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR2-667	—
Max RAM Capacity	4 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	0	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: No (Pentium D 820) / not specified (Pentium E5300).

Feature	Pentium D 820	Pentium E5300
Integrated GPU	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	No	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium D 820 was priced at $241, while the Pentium E5300 came in at $62. On launch pricing ($241 vs $62), Pentium E5300 was $179 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium D 820 delivers 5.9 pts/$ vs 22.5 pts/$ for the Pentium E5300 — making the Pentium E5300 the 117.4% better value option.

Feature	Pentium D 820	Pentium E5300
MSRP	$241	$62-74%
Performance per Dollar	5.9	22.5+281%
Release Date	2005	2008

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