Pentium D 940 vs Pentium D 950

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 940 vs Pentium D 950 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 940 vs Pentium D 950: 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 940

2006

Why buy it

✅Costs $505 less on MSRP ($132 MSRP vs $637 MSRP).
✅Delivers 351.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 6.6 vs 1.5 PassMark/$ ($132 MSRP vs $637 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium D 950 across 39 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (875 vs 935).

Pentium D 950

2006

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.5% higher average FPS across 39 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 1.5 vs 6.6 PassMark/$ ($637 MSRP vs $132 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium D 950 better than Pentium D 940?

Yes. Pentium D 950 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.5% average FPS lead across 39 shared CPU game tests in our data, 6.9% 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 D 950 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.5% more average FPS across 39 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium D 950 is the stronger fit. You are getting 6.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium D 950 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium D 950 comes in 382.6% more expensive on MSRP at $637 MSRP versus $132 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.5% average FPS lead across 39 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium D 940 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2006 platform. Even with 351.6% better value on paper (6.6 vs 1.5 PassMark/$), 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 D 950 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 D 940 vs Pentium D 950 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium D 940

The Pentium D 940 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 January 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 875 points. Launch price was $423.

Pentium D 950

The Pentium D 950 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 January 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 935 points. Launch price was $637.

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Processing Power

Both the Pentium D 940 and Pentium D 950 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Pentium D 940 versus 3.4 GHz on the Pentium D 950 — a 6.1% clock advantage for the Pentium D 950 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). Both are built on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture using a 65 nm process. In PassMark, the Pentium D 940 scores 875 against the Pentium D 950's 935 — a 6.6% lead for the Pentium D 950. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Pentium D 940	Pentium D 950
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.4 GHz+6%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	3.4 GHz+6%
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	2 MB (total)	2 MB (total)
Process	65 nm	65 nm
Architecture	NetBurst (2000−2006)	NetBurst (2000−2006)
PassMark	875	935+7%

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA775 socket with PCIe 1.1.

Feature	Pentium D 940	Pentium D 950
Socket	LGA775	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 1.1

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium D 940 was priced at $132, while the Pentium D 950 came in at $637. On launch pricing ($132 vs $637), Pentium D 940 was $505 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium D 940 delivers 6.6 pts/$ vs 1.5 pts/$ for the Pentium D 950 — making the Pentium D 940 the 127.5% better value option.

Feature	Pentium D 940	Pentium D 950
MSRP	$132-79%	$637
Performance per Dollar	6.6+340%	1.5
Release Date	2006	2006

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