CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-660 vs Intel Core i5-670
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.
Slightly better single-threaded performance than other Clarkdales, but still completely inadequate for modern productivity.
Gaming
Cannot run any modern game at acceptable frame rates.
Even with high clock speeds, the dual-core design cannot run modern games.
Virtualization
Two cores with Hyper-Threading provide minimal virtualization capability.
Two cores with Hyper-Threading are insufficient for meaningful virtualization.
Efficiency
73W for a dual-core processor is inefficient by modern standards.
73W for a dual-core is acceptable for the era but poor by modern standards.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration
- Far too slow for any machine learning workload
- No AI capabilities whatsoever
- Far too slow for any ML workload
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
- High clock speed cannot overcome dual-core bottleneck
- Integrated graphics far too weak for any 3D workload
- Was overpriced for gaming even in 2010
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- Extremely outdated for any modern task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
- Highest stock clock in Clarkdale lineup
- Strong single-threaded performance for 2010
- Integrated graphics eliminate need for discrete GPU in basic builds
- 32nm process kept power at 73W despite high clocks
Cons
- Priced at $284, more than the superior quad-core i5-750
- Only two cores regardless of clock speed
- Poor value at launch and completely obsolete now
- No AVX support
- Integrated graphics too weak for any meaningful 3D work
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 i5-670
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-750Rival
Quad-Core Desktop
- AMD Phenom II X4 965Rival
High-Frequency Quad-Core
- AMD Phenom II X2 570Rival
Dual-Core Desktop
- Intel Core i7-860Rival
Lynnfield i7
- AMD Phenom II X4 955Rival
Quad-Core Desktop
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 reviewAt $284, the i5-670 was paradoxically more expensive than the quad-core i5-750 while offering inferior multi-threaded performance. A poor value even at launch.
Best for: Collecting unusual Intel processor SKUs
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-660 or Intel Core i5-670?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-660 comes out ahead with a score of 3.5/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Do Intel Core i5-660 and Intel Core i5-670 use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the LGA 1156 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-670 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-660 (4,600), Intel Core i5-670 (4,800). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.