Pentium G850 vs Pentium G860

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 G850 vs Pentium G860 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 G850 vs Pentium G860: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium G850

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 65W instead of 256W, a 191W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Pentium G860 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Pentium G860

2011

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics, while Pentium G850 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,485 vs 1,491).
❌293.8% higher power demand at 256W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G850 better than Pentium G860?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium G860 is ahead with a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G850 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G850 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium G850 is the better buy right now. Pentium G850 comes in in basically the same MSRP band at $86 MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Pentium G860 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 0.4% better value on MSRP (17.3 vs 17.3 PassMark/$), 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 G850 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Pentium G850 vs Pentium G860 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium G850

The Pentium G850 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 22 May 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,491 points. Launch price was $27.

Pentium G860

The Pentium G860 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,485 points. Launch price was $75.

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Processing Power

Both the Pentium G850 and Pentium G860 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Pentium G850 versus 3 GHz on the Pentium G860 — a 3.4% clock advantage for the Pentium G860 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3 GHz). Both are built on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture using a 32 nm process. In PassMark, the Pentium G850 scores 1,491 against the Pentium G860's 1,485 — a 0.4% lead for the Pentium G850. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Pentium G850	Pentium G860
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz	3 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	3 GHz+3%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,491	1,485

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1155 socket with PCIe 2.0.

Feature	Pentium G850	Pentium G860
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Pentium G850) / VT-x (Pentium G860). The Pentium G860 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics), while the Pentium G850 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium G860 targets Desktop.

Feature	Pentium G850	Pentium G860
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x
Target Use	—	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium G850 was priced at $86, while the Pentium G860 came in at $86. On launch pricing ($86 vs $86), Pentium G860 was $0 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium G850 delivers 17.3 pts/$ vs 17.3 pts/$ for the Pentium G860 — making the Pentium G850 the 0.4% better value option.

Feature	Pentium G850	Pentium G860
MSRP	$86	$86
Performance per Dollar	17.3	17.3
Release Date	2011	2011

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