Pentium Extreme Edition 965 vs Pentium A1020

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 965 is positioned at rank 1119 and the Pentium A1020 is on rank 1009, so the Pentium A1020 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 965

#1

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

266423%

#2

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

251744%

#3

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

182786%

#4

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

55066%

#5

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

43618%

#6

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

38157%

#7

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

21855%

#8

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

21569%

#9

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

19639%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

19638%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

19418%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

18894%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

18630%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

18555%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

18386%

#1119

Pentium Extreme Edition 965

MSRP: $999|Avg: $100

100%

#1120

Athlon 64 FX-60

MSRP: $1031|Avg: $1000

100%

#1121

Athlon XP 2200+

MSRP: $241|Avg: $30

99%

#1122

Athlon XP 1700+

MSRP: $190|Avg: $15

96%

#1123

Pentium Extreme Edition 955

MSRP: $999|Avg: $50

94%

#1124

Athlon XP 2700+

MSRP: $349|Avg: $20

88%

#1125

Athlon XP 2800+

MSRP: $375|Avg: $35

86%

#1126

Pentium III 1200

MSRP: $200|Avg: $10

84%

#1127

Athlon XP 3200+

MSRP: $464|Avg: $40

82%

#1128

Pentium III 1400

MSRP: $250|Avg: $20

78%

#1129

Pentium III 1400S

MSRP: $250|Avg: $250

78%

#1130

Pentium 4 2.60

MSRP: $401|Avg: $25

78%

#1131

Athlon XP 1800+

MSRP: $252|Avg: $30

76%

#1132

Athlon XP 1900+

MSRP: $269|Avg: $20

75%

#1133

Athlon 64 FX-51

MSRP: $733|Avg: $733

72%

#1134

Athlon 64 FX-55

MSRP: $827|Avg: $50

71%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Pentium A1020

#997

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2162%

#998

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2130%

#999

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1956%

#1000

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1947%

#1001

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1929%

#1003

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1863%

#1004

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1786%

#1005

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1783%

#1006

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1735%

#1009

Pentium A1020

MSRP: $86|Avg: $86

100%

#1010

Core i3-1115GRE

MSRP: $338|Avg: $480

100%

#1011

Core i7-4702MQ

MSRP: $383|Avg: $50

100%

#1012

Pentium N4200

MSRP: $161|Avg: $30.89

99%

#1013

Pentium J2900

MSRP: $94|Avg: $20

98%

#1014

Celeron T1700

MSRP: $80|Avg: $5

97%

#1015

Celeron T3500

MSRP: $80|Avg: $10

97%

#1016

A12-9720P

MSRP: $200|Avg: $25

97%

#1017

Core i5-4300M

MSRP: $227|Avg: N/A

96%

#1018

Celeron 1005M

MSRP: $86|Avg: N/A

96%

#1019

Athlon 64 X2 TK-42

MSRP: $60|Avg: $10

95%

#1020

Athlon Neo MV-40

MSRP: $100|Avg: $5

94%

#1021

Core i7-4860EQ

MSRP: $434|Avg: $80

94%

#1022

Pentium SU2700

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

93%

#1023

A4-1250

MSRP: $100|Avg: $30

93%

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 A1020 (2016) utilizes 22 nm technology and DDR3L-1333, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Pentium Extreme Edition 965	Pentium A1020
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($100)	✅ More affordable ($86)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Presler (2005−2007) / 65 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Pentium Extreme Edition 965 (2006) 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 965	Pentium A1020
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+16%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($100)	✅ More affordable ($86)

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 965 Benchmark Check

Pentium A1020 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Pentium Extreme Edition 965 and Pentium A1020

Pentium Extreme Edition 965

The Pentium Extreme Edition 965 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 March 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the Presler (2005−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.733 GHz, with boost up to 0.73 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: 1,165 points. Launch price was $999.

Pentium A1020

The Pentium A1020 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.41 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,167 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Pentium Extreme Edition 965 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium A1020 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium A1020 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 0.73 GHz on the Pentium Extreme Edition 965 versus 2.7 GHz on the Pentium A1020 — a 114.9% clock advantage for the Pentium A1020 (base: 3.733 GHz vs 2.41 GHz). The Pentium Extreme Edition 965 is built on the Presler (2005−2007) architecture. In PassMark, the Pentium Extreme Edition 965 scores 1,165 against the Pentium A1020's 1,167 — a 0.2% lead for the Pentium A1020.

Feature	Pentium Extreme Edition 965	Pentium A1020
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	0.73 GHz	2.7 GHz+270%
Base Clock	3.733 GHz+55%	2.41 GHz
L3 Cache	—	2 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	—
Process	65 nm	22 nm-66%
Architecture	Presler (2005−2007)	—
PassMark	1,165	1,167

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium Extreme Edition 965 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium A1020 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium Extreme Edition 965	Pentium A1020
Socket	LGA775	FCBGA1170
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%

💰

Value Analysis

The Pentium Extreme Edition 965 launched at $999 MSRP, while the Pentium A1020 debuted at $86. At current prices ($100 vs $86), the Pentium A1020 is $14 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium Extreme Edition 965 delivers 11.7 pts/$ vs 13.6 pts/$ for the Pentium A1020 — making the Pentium A1020 the 15.2% better value option.