CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-661 vs Intel Core i5-750
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.
Four cores help with basic multitasking but modern productivity apps will feel sluggish.
Gaming
The 900MHz iGPU was slightly more capable than other Clarkdales but still cannot handle any modern 3D workload.
With a discrete GPU, can handle older games but cannot run modern titles at acceptable frame rates due to CPU limitations.
Virtualization
Two cores with Hyper-Threading offer minimal virtualization capability.
Four real cores provide usable virtualization for lightweight VMs.
Efficiency
87W TDP for a dual-core with basic integrated graphics represents very poor efficiency.
95W for four 45nm cores is inefficient by modern standards.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI capabilities
- Completely unsuitable for machine learning
- No AI acceleration instructions
- 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
- Cannot run modern AAA games at playable frame rates
- With a capable discrete GPU, older titles (pre-2015) run adequately
- The 2.666GHz base clock is a significant bottleneck
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
- Four real cores provided strong 2009-era performance
- 8MB L3 cache was generous for the price
- Turbo boost significantly improved single-threaded performance
- Excellent value that redefined mainstream desktop pricing
- Overclockable via BCLK with good headroom
Cons
- No Hyper-Threading limits multi-threaded vs i7 Lynnfield
- No integrated graphics requires a discrete GPU
- 45nm process is obsolete
- No AVX instruction support
- LGA 1156 platform is dead with no upgrade path
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 i5-750
- AMD Phenom II X4 965Rival
Quad-Core Desktop
- AMD Phenom II X4 955Rival
Quad-Core Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-920Rival
High-End Desktop
- AMD Phenom II X6 1055TRival
Six-Core Desktop
- Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650Rival
Legacy Quad-Core
- Intel Core i7-860Alt
Eight threads via Hyper-Threading for better multi-threaded performance.
Higher clock speed on the same platform for a small premium.
Compare head-to-head
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 reviewA landmark processor that offered excellent quad-core value in 2009-2010. Completely obsolete today but historically significant as the processor that established the Core i5 brand.
Best for: Keeping an existing LGA 1156 Lynnfield system functional for light tasks
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-661 or Intel Core i5-750?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-750 comes out ahead with a score of 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 i5-750?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-750 leads with a gaming performance score of 12/100 among Intel Core i5-661 and Intel Core i5-750.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-661 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-661 (87 W), Intel Core i5-750 (95 W).
Do Intel Core i5-661 and Intel Core i5-750 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 i5-750 has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i5-661 (2 cores), Intel Core i5-750 (4 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-750 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-661 (4,600), Intel Core i5-750 (6,750). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.