Pentium G6960 vs Pentium M 740

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 G6960 vs Pentium M 740 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 G6960 vs Pentium M 740: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium G6960

2011

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,433 vs 1,435).
❌Launch MSRP is still $89 MSRP, while Pentium M 740 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌170.4% higher power demand at 73W vs 27W.

Pentium M 740

2005

Why buy it

✅Draws 27W instead of 73W, a 46W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium M 740 better than Pentium G6960?

Yes. Pentium M 740 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium M 740 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.2% 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 M 740 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 1 cores and 1 threads.

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

Pentium M 740 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium M 740 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $89 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium G6960 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (16.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1156.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Pentium G6960 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2005). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Pentium G6960 vs Pentium M 740 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium G6960

The Pentium G6960 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.93 GHz, with boost up to 0.93 GHz. L3 cache: 3072 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,433 points. Launch price was $69.

Pentium M 740

The Pentium M 740 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Dothan (2004−2005) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Base frequency is 1.73 GHz, with boost up to 1.73 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 27 Watt. Memory support: DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 1,435 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Pentium G6960 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Pentium M 740 offers 1 cores / 1 threads — the Pentium G6960 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 0.93 GHz on the Pentium G6960 versus 1.73 GHz on the Pentium M 740 — a 60.2% clock advantage for the Pentium M 740 (base: 2.93 GHz vs 1.73 GHz). The Pentium G6960 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium M 740 uses Dothan (2004−2005) (90 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium G6960 scores 1,433 against the Pentium M 740's 1,435 — a 0.1% lead for the Pentium M 740. L3 cache: 3072 kB (total) on the Pentium G6960 vs 0 kB on the Pentium M 740.

Feature	Pentium G6960	Pentium M 740
Cores / Threads	2 / 2+100%	1 / 1
Boost Clock	0.93 GHz	1.73 GHz+86%
Base Clock	2.93 GHz+69%	1.73 GHz
L3 Cache	3072 kB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	2 MB+700%
Process	32 nm-64%	90 nm
Architecture	Clarkdale (2010−2011)	Dothan (2004−2005)
PassMark	1,433	1,435

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium G6960 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium M 740 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.