CPU
GPU
Pentium E5400
Pentium B960
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 E5400 is positioned at rank 830 and the Pentium B960 is on rank 1144, 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 E5400
Performance Per Dollar Pentium B960
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Pentium E5400 | Pentium B960 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($49) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Wolfdale (2008−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Pentium E5400 | Pentium B960 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+231%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($49) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
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 E5400 and Pentium B960
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.
Pentium B960
The Pentium B960 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 October 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,019 points. Launch price was $134.
Processing Power
Both the Pentium E5400 and Pentium B960 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Pentium E5400 versus 2.2 GHz on the Pentium B960 — a 20.4% clock advantage for the Pentium E5400 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Pentium E5400 uses the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium B960 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium E5400 scores 1,007 against the Pentium B960's 1,019 — a 1.2% lead for the Pentium B960. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Pentium E5400 vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium B960.
| Feature | Pentium E5400 | Pentium B960 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.7 GHz+23% | 2.2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.7 GHz+23% | 2.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 2 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (total)+700% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 32 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Wolfdale (2008−2010) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,007 | 1,019+1% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 383 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 679 |
Memory & Platform
The Pentium E5400 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium B960 uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Pentium E5400 | Pentium B960 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | PGA988 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 2.0+82% |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
The Pentium B960 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)), while the Pentium E5400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium B960 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Pentium B960 rivals AMD A8-3500M.
| Feature | Pentium E5400 | Pentium B960 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge) |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Target Use | — | Budget |
Value Analysis
The Pentium E5400 launched at $55 MSRP, while the Pentium B960 debuted at $134. At current prices ($49 vs $15), the Pentium B960 is $34 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium E5400 delivers 20.6 pts/$ vs 67.9 pts/$ for the Pentium B960 — making the Pentium B960 the 107.1% better value option.
| Feature | Pentium E5400 | Pentium B960 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $55-59% | $134 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $49 | $15-69% |
| Performance per Dollar | 20.6 | 67.9+230% |
| Release Date | 2009 | 2011 |
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