Pentium Dual-Core E2160 vs Pentium U5600

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 Dual-Core E2160 vs Pentium U5600 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 Dual-Core E2160 vs Pentium U5600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium Dual-Core E2160

2007

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $16 less on MSRP ($84 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
✅Delivers 24.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 10.4 vs 8.3 PassMark/$ ($84 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌261.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 18W.

Pentium U5600

2011

Why buy it

✅Draws 18W instead of 65W, a 47W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium Dual-Core E2160 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (835 vs 875).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.3 vs 10.4 PassMark/$ ($100 MSRP vs $84 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium Dual-Core E2160 better than Pentium U5600?

Yes. Pentium Dual-Core E2160 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 4.8% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium Dual-Core E2160 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.3% 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 Dual-Core E2160 is the stronger fit. You are getting 4.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium Dual-Core E2160 is the better buy right now. Pentium Dual-Core E2160 comes in $16 cheaper on MSRP at $84 MSRP versus $100 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 24.8% better value on MSRP (10.4 vs 8.3 PassMark/$), 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 U5600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2007). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Pentium Dual-Core E2160 vs Pentium U5600 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Pentium U5600

The Pentium U5600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.33 GHz, with boost up to 1.33 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 835 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Pentium Dual-Core E2160 and Pentium U5600 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.8 GHz on the Pentium Dual-Core E2160 versus 1.33 GHz on the Pentium U5600 — a 30% clock advantage for the Pentium Dual-Core E2160. The Pentium Dual-Core E2160 uses the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture (65 nm), while the Pentium U5600 uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium Dual-Core E2160 scores 875 against the Pentium U5600's 835 — a 4.7% lead for the Pentium Dual-Core E2160. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Pentium Dual-Core E2160 vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium U5600.

Feature	Pentium Dual-Core E2160	Pentium U5600
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.8 GHz+35%	1.33 GHz
Base Clock	—	1.33 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (total)	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	65 nm	32 nm-51%
Architecture	NetBurst (2000−2006)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	875+5%	835

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium Dual-Core E2160 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium U5600 uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium Dual-Core E2160	Pentium U5600
Socket	LGA775	BGA1288
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium Dual-Core E2160 was priced at $84, while the Pentium U5600 came in at $100. On launch pricing ($84 vs $100), Pentium Dual-Core E2160 was $16 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium Dual-Core E2160 delivers 10.4 pts/$ vs 8.3 pts/$ for the Pentium U5600 — making the Pentium Dual-Core E2160 the 22% better value option.

Feature	Pentium Dual-Core E2160	Pentium U5600
MSRP	$84-16%	$100
Performance per Dollar	10.4+25%	8.3
Release Date	2007	2011

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