CPU
GPU
Pentium D 960
Pentium E5400
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Pentium D 960 is positioned at rank 1104 and the Pentium E5400 is on rank 830, so the Pentium E5400 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Pentium D 960
Performance Per Dollar Pentium E5400
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Pentium D 960 | Pentium E5400 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($49) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (NetBurst (2000−2006) / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Wolfdale (2008−2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Pentium D 960 | Pentium E5400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+226%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($49) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Pentium D 960 and Pentium E5400
Pentium D 960
The Pentium D 960 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 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: 1,005 points. Launch price was $523.
Pentium E5400
The Pentium E5400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 18 January 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 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: 1,007 points. Launch price was $55.
Processing Power
Both the Pentium D 960 and Pentium E5400 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Pentium D 960 versus 2.7 GHz on the Pentium E5400 — a 28.6% clock advantage for the Pentium D 960 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Pentium D 960 uses the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture (65 nm), while the Pentium E5400 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium D 960 scores 1,005 against the Pentium E5400's 1,007 — a 0.2% lead for the Pentium E5400. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.
| Feature | Pentium D 960 | Pentium E5400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz+33% | 2.7 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz+33% | 2.7 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (total) | 2 MB (total) |
| Process | 65 nm | 45 nm-31% |
| Architecture | NetBurst (2000−2006) | Wolfdale (2008−2010) |
| PassMark | 1,005 | 1,007 |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA775 socket with PCIe 1.1.
| Feature | Pentium D 960 | Pentium E5400 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | LGA775 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 1.1 |
Value Analysis
The Pentium D 960 launched at $523 MSRP, while the Pentium E5400 debuted at $55. At current prices ($15 vs $49), the Pentium D 960 is $34 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium D 960 delivers 67.0 pts/$ vs 20.6 pts/$ for the Pentium E5400 — making the Pentium D 960 the 106.1% better value option.
| Feature | Pentium D 960 | Pentium E5400 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $523 | $55-89% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $15-69% | $49 |
| Performance per Dollar | 67.0+225% | 20.6 |
| Release Date | 2006 | 2009 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Pentium D 960 and Pentium E5400
