Pentium III 1200 vs Pentium III 1400S

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 III 1200 vs Pentium III 1400S 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 III 1200 vs Pentium III 1400S: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium III 1200

2001

Why buy it

✅Costs $50 less on MSRP ($200 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium III 1400S across 26 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (195 vs 228).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Pentium III 1400S.

Pentium III 1400S

2002

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +20.0% higher average FPS across 26 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pentium III 1200.

Trade-offs

❌
25% HIGHER MSRP
$250 MSRPvs$200 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium III 1400S better than Pentium III 1200?

Yes. Pentium III 1400S is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 20.0% average FPS lead across 26 shared CPU game tests in our data, 16.9% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium III 1400S is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 20.0% more average FPS across 26 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium III 1400S is the stronger fit. You are getting 16.9% better PassMark, backed by 1 cores and 1 threads.

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

Pentium III 1400S is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium III 1400S comes in 25.0% more expensive on MSRP at $250 MSRP versus $200 MSRP, and it still gives you a 20.0% average FPS lead across 26 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium III 1200 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2001 platform. Even with 6.9% better value on paper (1.0 vs 0.9 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA370.

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

Pentium III 1400S makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2002 vs 2001) and more multi-core headroom with 1 cores / 1 threads instead of 1/1. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Pentium III 1200 vs Pentium III 1400S Technical Specifications

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

Pentium III 1200

The Pentium III 1200 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Tualatin (2000−2002) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 1.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 256 kB. Built on 130 nm process technology. Socket: PGA370. Thermal design power (TDP): 30 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 195 points. Launch price was $69.

Pentium III 1400S

The Pentium III 1400S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Tualatin (2000−2002) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 1.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 130 nm process technology. Socket: PGA370. Thermal design power (TDP): 32 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 228 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Pentium III 1200 and Pentium III 1400S share an identical 1-core/1-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.2 GHz on the Pentium III 1200 versus 1.4 GHz on the Pentium III 1400S — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Pentium III 1400S. Both are built on the Tualatin (2000−2002) architecture using a 130 nm process. In PassMark, the Pentium III 1200 scores 195 against the Pentium III 1400S's 228 — a 15.6% lead for the Pentium III 1400S. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Pentium III 1200	Pentium III 1400S
Cores / Threads	1 / 1	1 / 1
Boost Clock	1.2 GHz	1.4 GHz+17%
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	256 kB	512 kB+100%
Process	130 nm	130 nm
Architecture	Tualatin (2000−2002)	Tualatin (2000−2002)
PassMark	195	228+17%

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the PGA370 socket with PCIe 1.1. Maximum memory speed reaches SDR-133 on the Pentium III 1200 versus PC133 on the Pentium III 1400S — the Pentium III 1400S supports -200% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Pentium III 1400S supports up to 4 GB of RAM compared to 512 MB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 1-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 0 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Pentium III 1200	Pentium III 1400S
Socket	PGA370	PGA370
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	SDR-133	PC133
Max RAM Capacity	512 MB	4 GB+700%
RAM Channels	1	1
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	0	0

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: None (Pentium III 1200) vs No (Pentium III 1400S). Primary use case: Pentium III 1200 targets Legacy.

Feature	Pentium III 1200	Pentium III 1400S
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	None	No
Target Use	Legacy	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium III 1200 was priced at $200, while the Pentium III 1400S came in at $250. On launch pricing ($200 vs $250), Pentium III 1200 was $50 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium III 1200 delivers 1.0 pts/$ vs 0.9 pts/$ for the Pentium III 1400S — making the Pentium III 1200 the 6.7% better value option.

Feature	Pentium III 1200	Pentium III 1400S
MSRP	$200-20%	$250
Performance per Dollar	1.0+11%	0.9
Release Date	2001	2002

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