CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-660 vs Intel Core i5-661
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-660 is a dual-core Clarkdale desktop processor clocked at 3.33GHz with Hyper-Threading and integrated Intel HD Graphics, launched in January 2010.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Slightly faster than the i5-650 but still fundamentally inadequate for modern workloads.
Identical CPU performance to the i5-660, inadequate for modern productivity.
Gaming
Cannot run any modern game at acceptable frame rates.
The 900MHz iGPU was slightly more capable than other Clarkdales but still cannot handle any modern 3D workload.
Virtualization
Two cores with Hyper-Threading provide minimal virtualization capability.
Two cores with Hyper-Threading offer minimal virtualization capability.
Efficiency
73W for a dual-core processor is inefficient by modern standards.
87W TDP for a dual-core with basic integrated graphics represents very poor efficiency.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration
- Far too slow for any machine learning workload
- No AI capabilities
- Completely unsuitable for machine learning
Content Creation
Gaming
- Dual-core limitation makes most modern games unplayable
- HD Graphics 733MHz cannot handle any 3D rendering
- Was barely adequate for 2010-era gaming with a discrete GPU
- 900MHz iGPU was the fastest in Clarkdale but still far too slow for modern games
- Could handle very light 2010-era games at low resolution
- A discrete GPU was still necessary for any serious gaming
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Slightly faster than i5-650
- Integrated graphics for basic display
- 32nm process was advanced for its time
- Hyper-Threading improves multitasking
Cons
- Only two cores
- Extremely outdated for any modern task
- Small performance gain over cheaper i5-650
- No AVX support
- Obsolete platform with no upgrade path
Pros
- Fastest integrated graphics in the Clarkdale lineup
- Same capable dual-core CPU as the i5-660
- Good hardware video decode acceleration
- Interesting variant for collectors
Cons
- 87W TDP is high for a dual-core with basic iGPU
- GPU improvement was marginal in practice
- Same two-core limitation as all Clarkdale i5s
- No AVX instruction support
- Completely obsolete platform
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-660
- AMD Phenom II X2 565Rival
Dual-Core Desktop
- AMD Athlon II X4 640Rival
Budget Quad-Core
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-750Rival
Quad-Core Desktop
- AMD Phenom II X4 930Rival
Quad-Core Desktop
- Intel Core i3-540Rival
Budget Dual-Core
Intel Core i5-661
- AMD Athlon II X4 640Rival
Budget Quad-Core
- AMD Phenom II X2 565Rival
Dual-Core Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-750Rival
Quad-Core Desktop
- AMD 880G Integrated PlatformRival
Integrated Graphics Platform
- NVIDIA GeForce 9400 GT + Pentium E6600Rival
Budget Discrete GPU Combo
Same CPU performance with 14W lower TDP for $10 less.
Compare head-to-head- AMD 880G PlatformAlt
Better integrated graphics performance from AMD's platform at lower cost.
Our Verdict on Each
A minor clock speed bump over the i5-650 that did not address the fundamental two-core limitation. Obsolete for any modern use.
Best for: Maintaining an existing LGA 1156 Clarkdale system
Read the full reviewThe faster 900MHz iGPU was a notable differentiator in 2010 but did not overcome the fundamental dual-core limitation. The 87W TDP was a significant penalty.
Best for: Running an existing i5-661 system for basic tasks
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-660 or Intel Core i5-661?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-661 leads with a gaming performance score of 7/100 among Intel Core i5-660 and Intel Core i5-661.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-660 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-660 (73 W), Intel Core i5-661 (87 W).
Do Intel Core i5-660 and Intel Core i5-661 use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the LGA 1156 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.