CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-660 vs Intel Core i5-750s
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.
Slower than the standard i5-750 in sustained multi-threaded workloads due to the 2.4GHz base.
Gaming
Cannot run any modern game at acceptable frame rates.
Turbo boost helps in light gaming but the low base clock hurts in sustained loads.
Virtualization
Two cores with Hyper-Threading provide minimal virtualization capability.
Four cores help but lower clocks limit VM performance.
Efficiency
73W for a dual-core processor is inefficient by modern standards.
Better efficiency than the standard i5-750 at 82W, though still poor by modern standards.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration
- Far too slow for any machine learning workload
- No AI acceleration
- 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
- 2.4GHz base clock is too low for modern games
- Turbo boost to 3.2GHz helps slightly in lightly threaded scenarios
- Requires a discrete GPU for any 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- Extremely outdated for any modern task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
- Lower power consumption for small form factor builds
- Same turbo boost ceiling as standard i5-750
- Four real cores with 8MB cache
- Lower thermal output simplifies cooling
Cons
- 2.4GHz base clock was slow even in 2010
- Significant performance drop in sustained multi-threaded workloads
- No integrated graphics requires discrete GPU
- No AVX 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 i5-750s
- AMD Phenom II X4 910eRival
Low-Power Quad-Core
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-750Rival
Standard Quad-Core
- AMD Athlon II X4 605eRival
Low-Power Quad-Core
- Intel Core i3-530Rival
Budget Dual-Core with iGPU
- AMD Phenom II X4 810Rival
Budget Quad-Core
If integrated graphics and low power were priorities over core count.
Compare head-to-head
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 reviewAn interesting low-power variant that traded clock speed for efficiency, but the 2.4GHz base clock limited performance even in 2010.
Best for: Maintaining an existing SFF Lynnfield build
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-660 or Intel Core i5-750s?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-750s comes out ahead with a score of 4/10. 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 i5-750s?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-750s leads with a gaming performance score of 10/100 among Intel Core i5-660 and Intel Core i5-750s.
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 i5-750s (82 W).
Do Intel Core i5-660 and Intel Core i5-750s use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the LGA 1156 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i5-750s has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i5-660 (2 cores), Intel Core i5-750s (4 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-750s posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-660 (4,600), Intel Core i5-750s (6,350). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.