CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-660 vs Intel Core i5-680
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.
Best single-threaded performance in Clarkdale but still insufficient for modern productivity.
Gaming
Cannot run any modern game at acceptable frame rates.
High clock speed helps slightly but the dual-core design remains a fundamental barrier.
Virtualization
Two cores with Hyper-Threading provide minimal virtualization capability.
Two cores with Hyper-Threading remain inadequate.
Efficiency
73W for a dual-core processor is inefficient by modern standards.
73W for 3.6GHz on 32nm was reasonable for 2010 but poor by modern standards.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration
- Far too slow for any machine learning workload
- No AI acceleration
- Unsuitable 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
- 3.6GHz clock cannot compensate for two cores in modern games
- 733MHz HD Graphics far too weak for 3D rendering
- Even with a discrete GPU in 2010, quad-cores were preferable
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- Extremely outdated for any modern task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 Clarkdale processor ever made
- 3.866GHz turbo boost was impressive for 2010
- Maintained 73W TDP despite high clocks
- Strong single-threaded legacy performance
- Interesting piece of Intel frequency scaling history
Cons
- $294 price was exorbitant for two cores
- Dramatically outperformed in multi-threaded tasks by the $176 i5-750
- No AVX support
- Weak 733MHz integrated graphics
- Completely obsolete for any modern use
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 i5-680
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-750Rival
Quad-Core Desktop
- AMD Phenom II X4 965Rival
High-Frequency Quad-Core
- Intel Core i7-860Rival
Lynnfield i7
- AMD Phenom II X4 970Rival
Fastest Phenom II Quad
- Intel Core i7-870Rival
High-End Lynnfield
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 fastest Clarkdale ever made, but at $294 for two cores, it was a tough sell against the i5-750. Now entirely obsolete.
Best for: Completing a Clarkdale collection or keeping an existing system running
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-660 or Intel Core i5-680?
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.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-660 or Intel Core i5-680?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-680 leads with a gaming performance score of 6/100 among Intel Core i5-660 and Intel Core i5-680.
Do Intel Core i5-660 and Intel Core i5-680 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 i5-680 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-660 (4,600), Intel Core i5-680 (5,050). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.