Pentium Extreme Edition 955 vs Pentium B980

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 Extreme Edition 955 is positioned at rank 1123 and the Pentium B980 is on rank 1110, so the Pentium B980 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Pentium Extreme Edition 955

#1

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

283377%

#2

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

267764%

#3

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

194418%

#4

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

58570%

#5

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

46394%

#6

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

40585%

#7

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

23245%

#8

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

22942%

#9

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

20889%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

20887%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

20654%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

20096%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

19815%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

19735%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

19556%

#1123

Pentium Extreme Edition 955

MSRP: $999|Avg: $50

100%

#1124

Athlon XP 2700+

MSRP: $349|Avg: $20

94%

#1125

Athlon XP 2800+

MSRP: $375|Avg: $35

92%

#1126

Pentium III 1200

MSRP: $200|Avg: $10

89%

#1127

Athlon XP 3200+

MSRP: $464|Avg: $40

87%

#1128

Pentium III 1400

MSRP: $250|Avg: $20

83%

#1129

Pentium 4 2.60

MSRP: $401|Avg: $25

83%

#1130

Pentium III 1400S

MSRP: $250|Avg: $250

83%

#1131

Athlon XP 1800+

MSRP: $252|Avg: $30

81%

#1132

Athlon XP 1900+

MSRP: $269|Avg: $20

80%

#1133

Athlon 64 FX-51

MSRP: $733|Avg: $733

76%

#1134

Athlon 64 FX-55

MSRP: $827|Avg: $50

75%

#1135

Athlon 64 FX-53

MSRP: $799|Avg: $15

74%

#1136

Athlon XP 2000+

MSRP: $339|Avg: $40

67%

#1137

Athlon 64 FX-57

MSRP: $1031|Avg: $200

64%

#1138

Athlon XP 3000+

MSRP: $588|Avg: $20

63%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Pentium B980

#1098

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3330%

#1099

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3281%

#1100

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3012%

#1101

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2999%

#1102

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2971%

#1104

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2869%

#1105

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2751%

#1106

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2747%

#1107

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2673%

#1110

Pentium B980

MSRP: $125|Avg: $35

100%

#1111

Celeron 867

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

100%

#1112

Pentium B970

MSRP: $125|Avg: $39

99%

#1113

Core i5-2410M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

99%

#1114

Pentium T2370

MSRP: $86|Avg: $10

98%

#1115

Pentium N3710

MSRP: $161|Avg: $50

98%

#1116

Core m3-7Y30

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

98%

#1117

Pentium 977

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

97%

#1118

Core i7-2715QE

MSRP: $378|Avg: $50

97%

#1119

VIA Nano U2250

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

96%

#1121

Core i5-560M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

96%

#1122

Pentium U5600

MSRP: $100|Avg: $50

95%

#1124

Core m5-6Y57

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

95%

#1125

Core i7-610E

MSRP: $250|Avg: $40

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Pentium B980 (2012) utilizes 32 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Pentium Extreme Edition 955	Pentium B980
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($50)	✅ More affordable ($35)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Presler (2005−2007) / 65 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Pentium Extreme Edition 955 (2005) relies on 65 nm technology and **DDR1, DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard**, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Pentium Extreme Edition 955	Pentium B980
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+44%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($50)	✅ More affordable ($35)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Pentium Extreme Edition 955 Benchmark Check

Pentium B980 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

No prediction data available

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

No prediction data available

Valorant

No prediction data available

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Pentium Extreme Edition 955 and Pentium B980

Pentium Extreme Edition 955

The Pentium Extreme Edition 955 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 December 2005 (19 years ago). It is based on the Presler (2005−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.466 GHz, with boost up to 0.47 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 1,095 points. Launch price was $999.

Pentium B980

The Pentium B980 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 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: 1,101 points. Launch price was $125.

⚡

Processing Power

The Pentium Extreme Edition 955 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium B980's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 0.47 GHz on the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 versus 2.4 GHz on the Pentium B980 — a 134.5% clock advantage for the Pentium B980 (base: 3.466 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Pentium Extreme Edition 955 uses the Presler (2005−2007) architecture (65 nm), while the Pentium B980 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 scores 1,095 against the Pentium B980's 1,101 — a 0.5% lead for the Pentium B980.

Feature	Pentium Extreme Edition 955	Pentium B980
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	0.47 GHz	2.4 GHz+411%
Base Clock	3.466 GHz+44%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	—	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+700%	256K (per core)
Process	65 nm	32 nm-51%
Architecture	Presler (2005−2007)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,095	1,101

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium Extreme Edition 955 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium B980 uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium Extreme Edition 955	Pentium B980
Socket	LGA775	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%

💰

Value Analysis

The Pentium Extreme Edition 955 launched at $999 MSRP, while the Pentium B980 debuted at $125. At current prices ($50 vs $35), the Pentium B980 is $15 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 delivers 21.9 pts/$ vs 31.5 pts/$ for the Pentium B980 — making the Pentium B980 the 35.8% better value option.