CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-661 vs Intel Core i5-670
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-661 is a dual-core Clarkdale processor distinguished by its faster 900MHz integrated graphics, trading higher power consumption for improved iGPU performance.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Identical CPU performance to the i5-660, inadequate for modern productivity.
Slightly better single-threaded performance than other Clarkdales, but still completely inadequate for modern productivity.
Gaming
The 900MHz iGPU was slightly more capable than other Clarkdales but still cannot handle any modern 3D workload.
Even with high clock speeds, the dual-core design cannot run modern games.
Virtualization
Two cores with Hyper-Threading offer minimal virtualization capability.
Two cores with Hyper-Threading are insufficient for meaningful virtualization.
Efficiency
87W TDP for a dual-core with basic integrated graphics represents very poor efficiency.
73W for a dual-core is acceptable for the era but poor by modern standards.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI capabilities
- Completely unsuitable for machine learning
- No AI capabilities whatsoever
- Far too slow for any ML workload
Content Creation
Gaming
- 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
- 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
- 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
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 i5-661
- 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.
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
The 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 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 i5-661 or Intel Core i5-670?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-661 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 i5-661 or Intel Core i5-670?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-661 leads with a gaming performance score of 7/100 among Intel Core i5-661 and Intel Core i5-670.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-670 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-661 (87 W), Intel Core i5-670 (73 W).
Do Intel Core i5-661 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 i5-661 (4,600), Intel Core i5-670 (4,800). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.