Pentium D 950 vs Pentium Dual-Core E2160

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 950 vs Pentium Dual-Core E2160 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 950 vs Pentium Dual-Core E2160: 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 950

2006

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.5% higher average FPS across 44 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 1.5 vs 10.4 PassMark/$ ($637 MSRP vs $84 MSRP).
❌100% higher power demand at 130W vs 65W.

Pentium Dual-Core E2160

2007

Why buy it

✅Costs $553 less on MSRP ($84 MSRP vs $637 MSRP).
✅Delivers 609.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 10.4 vs 1.5 PassMark/$ ($84 MSRP vs $637 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 130W, a 65W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium D 950 across 44 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (875 vs 935).

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium D 950 better than Pentium Dual-Core E2160?

Yes. Pentium D 950 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.5% average FPS lead across 44 shared CPU game tests in our data and 6.9% 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 950 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.5% more average FPS across 44 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 658.3% more expensive on MSRP at $637 MSRP versus $84 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.5% average FPS lead across 44 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium Dual-Core E2160 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2007 platform. Even with 609.7% better value on paper (10.4 vs 1.5 PassMark/$), 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 Dual-Core E2160 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2007 vs 2006). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Pentium D 950 vs Pentium Dual-Core E2160 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Pentium Dual-Core E2160

The Pentium Dual-Core E2160 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. Max frequency: 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 875 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Pentium D 950 and Pentium Dual-Core E2160 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Pentium D 950 versus 1.8 GHz on the Pentium Dual-Core E2160 — a 61.5% clock advantage for the Pentium D 950. Both are built on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture using a 65 nm process. In PassMark, the Pentium D 950 scores 935 against the Pentium Dual-Core E2160's 875 — a 6.6% lead for the Pentium D 950. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Pentium D 950	Pentium Dual-Core E2160
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+89%	1.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz	—
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	2 MB (total)+100%	1 MB (total)
Process	65 nm	65 nm
Architecture	NetBurst (2000−2006)	NetBurst (2000−2006)
PassMark	935+7%	875

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA775 socket with PCIe 1.1.

Feature	Pentium D 950	Pentium Dual-Core E2160
Socket	LGA775	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 1.1

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium D 950 was priced at $637, while the Pentium Dual-Core E2160 came in at $84. On launch pricing ($637 vs $84), Pentium Dual-Core E2160 was $553 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium D 950 delivers 1.5 pts/$ vs 10.4 pts/$ for the Pentium Dual-Core E2160 — making the Pentium Dual-Core E2160 the 150.6% better value option.

Feature	Pentium D 950	Pentium Dual-Core E2160
MSRP	$637	$84-87%
Performance per Dollar	1.5	10.4+593%
Release Date	2006	2007

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